“Beauty with a Purpose” ~

“Beauty with a Purpose” ~ the mandate of the Miss World Pageant. I was never a fan of pageants growing up, as a little girl I didn’t dream of being in one, so how I ever got involved is still a question that I can’t give a straight answer to. I don’t think about it too often, but on occasion I go back in time and try to connect the dots on what its purpose was in my life. Not remembering what I had for breakfast yesterday doesn’t help with a 25 year old recollection.

I was introduced to travel by my parents at a young age so when the opportunity in my 20’s or 30’s presented itself, it didn’t take much to have me jump on board for the adventure and life experience. The Miss World presented itself to me and took me to London England and Malta for 26 days along with 86 other young women from all over the world. Now that’s a Girlfriend get-a-way!

I remember going cross-eyed in most pictures taken of me with any male fan, thinking it would be funny when they got home and developed their film. I wrote a daily journal while I was there, a behind the scenes view of what it’s really like competing against so many girls from all over the world. Yes, of course I still have it. I met some amazing people, leaned a few valuable lessons, and had a life experience that was definitely unique. My favourite part now is that I am connected on Facebook with several of the girls from 1987 and it is fantastic to see what they are all doing now. I also reconnected with Julia Morely, owner of the Miss World, she remembered me! I vaguely remember her being concerned I might go cross-eyed while filming live, I didn’t! 😉

I was reading the local paper yesterday and saw that a young girl from Langley, Tara Teng was heading off to Ordos China to represent Canada for 2012. She is stunning to say the least, she looks like Royalty in her photograph. Her mission is to bring awareness to modern day slavery…Beauty with a Purpose! Tara will be in China delivering her humanitarian message and hopefully bringing her crown back to Canada for the 1st time in history! She is doing her part to make a difference in the world. I may have not understood at the time why I did the Miss World but I now see the base of what attracted me deep down, making a difference and bringing awareness to important social issues.

“Beauty with a Purpose” in my late 20’s and “Finding Lyrical Beauty in Everyday Happenings” in my late 40’s! I am starting to see a common thread that evolved and unfolded through the years. Life is filled with unexpected adventure that sometime doesn’t make sense. I have finally realized it doesn’t need to make sense, I did it and it was part of my past that lead me to who I am today. I have continued to try to make a difference where ever I can in my life. Although I never took the Miss World Pageant too seriously, I am grateful for the life experience and the girlfriends I met because of it.

The Miss World Pageant is viewed by more than 2 Billion people, being the oldest most watched pageant in the world. Miss World has changed the lives of so many children and raised over $500 Million dollars globally. So whether or not you are a pageant supporter it has made a world of difference!

Tara Teng said “I am honoured to represent Canada on the global stage at Miss World and truly hope my success is marked by my stand for the value and freedom of every human life.” I wish you luck and success representing Canada Tara! You are a beautiful young woman with a purpose. You will make a beautiful Miss World given the opportunity!

Tara (great name btw) has a blog, With Conviction ~ Speaking truth and standing up for love, justice and mercy worldwide.