Follow up.

I watched a CNN production yesterday, something that relates so much to my lingering thoughts on the previous post. It was an interview session with the producers of "The Swan"-- a beauty pageant cum reality show in which contestants undergo extreme plastic surgery and makeover. Liposuction, braces, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, face lift... The list goes on. Its gruesome just to watch them undergo the process.

As I watched them speak, these contestants, I watched in amusement and curiosity, yet afraid that their nose might simply drop off. Plastic surgery isn't it? They undergo the surgeries before maintaining a strict diet and exercise regime while undergoing psychological counseling throughout the period. Within this period, they are also deprived of a mirror, unable to see the metamorphasis that is taking place. Upon completion, they would then be presented to their group of "producers" in a evening gown, all dolled up and made up, in which everybody claps and sob tears. Eventually, their new look is revealed to them. All contestants had different expressions and reaction, but all said one thing in similar. "I'm beautiful".

Ironically, this Los Angeles interview show ended with a tribute to a waitress who passed away recently. "Come to L.A and you'll probably hear of her. She infused herself into the culture of L.A" was a description of this smiling lady. Photos showed her, this plump but always smiling, joyous woman, to be of a woman who despite working just as an waitress, was one who greatly influenced life of others. "She would be sorely missed" said the interviewer.

Now this set me thinking, back to my questions and observations just the other day. Should any of these contestants were to pass away, would they have an impact so great, that a TV production actually play a tribute to them? The smiling waitress had a smile that shone of sincerity, the smiles on the contestants seemed uniform and fake. (Forgive me... I can't get rid of the notion that they are "products" and pumped with plastic.) I think... To be sorely missed in your funeral, knowing the difference your life has created, and to die with many true friends and love surrounding you. I think, that's when many will believe you have been and will continue to be beautiful.

"Beautiful" is when inner radiance and sincerity shines, where the constitute inside becomes more important than what is displayed outside. Being gorgeous, being idolized for the outside becomes a temporal phrase, but the insides is what you'll forever be remembered for.

The Swan isn't a show for beauty contestants, it becomes a show for "products". A show where "products" compete to be the best manufactured goods, not a show where beauty is celebrated.

Just my 2 cents worth. What do you all think?