So, I’m watching my favorite show the other night and I was rudely
interrupted by commercials. There were tons of commercials that almost make it
not worthwhile to even watch my show. So
as I am sitting waiting… I realize that I am subconsciously being brain
washed. The latest hair commercial for
perfect hair, the weight loss I can achieve with no effort on my part, a pill
that makes you run on the beach like I’m 20.
This made me start thinking. When
did we start believing everything in commercials yet challenge our doctors and
second guess ourselves to do what’s best for us?
I see so many beautiful young girls striving to be the
picture of what’s on tv and yet as I sit and talk to them, I realize that it’s
not the looks, it’s the attitude that makes a person so attractive. With that in mind and as something we already
should know, why do these commercials still work? A short time ago I had my niece over. She is just a wonderful, beautiful teenager. She said something to me that made her one of
the most attractive people I know; “I like who I am and I like the way I am and
that’s all that matters.” Wow! So young,
yet so intelligent at the same time.
Time for some research. I checked the “Truth in Advertising laws”. Then I thought about all the commercials I
watched. This didn’t jive. You have model straight from the salon
(agreed by many hairstylists I asked) showing you the hair you could have by
using a specific shampoo. (Suave commercial). I started learning more. We have
been fighting this battle since 1872 in making laws to protect consumers. It mainly came down to if the product ended
up causing harm and the ability for people to sue the company or not. Not
necessarily if it actually works. The conclusion I came to was this:
1. Do the research before wasting your money. Actually find someone else who had the
results you are looking for. I have not
found someone yet with salon perfect hair unless they just walked out of one.
2.
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) does have
your best interests at heart. They
currently have over 100 cases against companies for false advertising. This proves to me there are loopholes in the
system so don’t trust that the truth is always what commercials will give you.
FTC has a website, use it.
3. Realize you don’t really need all this junk to
be happy. 9 out of 10 things advertised
on TV, internet or radio we really don’t need.
God designed you exactly how He wants you to fulfill a purpose tailored just
for you. Yes, we always want to be at
our best, eat right, look great and that’s good. Just don’t go overboard trying to achieve
something that is not portraying the real you which comes from deeper than your
not so perfect skin tone.
My conclusion, get up in the morning, look in the mirror and
say with all the confidence of a tight rope walker: “I like who I am and I like
the way I am and that’s all that matters.”
Then get a dvr and fast forward through the lies.
