Nigel Barker (born 27 April 1972) is an English fashion photographer and former model of English and Sri Lankan descent. He is best known for his participation as a judge and photographer on the reality show America’s Next Top Model. He wrote the book: ” Beauty Equation” and the conference was based in the book’s Philosophy about “Inner Beauty”.
His book has an interesting and interactive website. You can check it out at:
http://www.beautyequation.com/
So what makes a person truly beautiful?
According to Nigel Barker is: Compassion, Confidence, Spontaneity and Humor.
He gave an example retelling the time when he met his wife. How the only thing he could think of, was to show him how the “mosquitoes” had bitten his arm mercilessly. He recognized that even though wasn’t his cleverest pick up line, it invited a caring response from her. She felt the sincerity in his attitude and prompted a caring response from her part.
He also stressed the importance to stay in touch with your inner person through whatever activity that makes you connect with yourself: He invited us to reach inside and: sing, dance, listen to music, etc. “Do the silly activities that make your heart sing”. – that is my little contribution, he didn’t say anything about making your heart sing—but I guess he would agree with it—the message was: “Do whatever it takes, to release our internal energy, which in turn will return the favor by recharging you”.
–I couldn’t agree more by the way! —
He then talked about how a healthy life style is also a key ingredient for anyone seeking to release his/her “Inner Beauty”. How the goal was to be healthy not “stick thin”. He continued to point out how even though it may not be the right measurement, people judge you for the way you present yourself.
So, the way you dress, the way you talk, if you make eye contact, if you smile, etc, etc.
And his question about the way we conduct ourselves and the way we manage our images was:
“What is the message that you are sending?”
Because, at the end, it is up to you to make the decision: “What image am I projecting to the world?
“Confidence is key”
But, how do you get to bust your confidence?
Nigel is convinced that through compassion you can bust your confidence.
Compassion towards others but also and first: towards “you”.
I guess he meant that we need to accept ourselves, with all our flaws as well as good attributes. This in turn, will help us to get ready to help others.
By showing interest in helping others, we feel useful, we open our eyes and hearts to other peoples realities, and suddenly our problems don’t seem as big as we previously thought. We then, are able to count our blessings. He stressed the importance of understanding that not all can do extraordinary sacrifices in order to help others.
That small deeds are ok, since they trigger a “Butterfly effect”. One heart-felt, unselfish act brings out a similar response from someone else, and then, it becomes a chain reaction. Like the pebble thrown into a pond creating many ripples that travel much farther than the place where the pebble was thrown.
And last but not least he talked about the role humor takes when trying to build the most beautiful “you” that you can be.
How, “Humor” helps you get through life. It gives you an optimistic take on things.
He talked of how important is not to let negative people let you down. Also, how it is important to remain calm and cool when we meet with aggressive people. We tend to repay an “eye for an eye” but how it is much more edifying to let it go. Aggression only brings your inner peace into turmoil. “Know that you can find new opportunities, a ‘Quest’ where you least expect it.”
Welcome it!
Trouble yourself to accept the task of caring for other people’s lives.
Trouble yourself to take the challenge to work in your self-image. Invest the discipline and the effort that will take to rule over whatever it is that is keeping you from becoming a healthier, more centered, less selfish, more engaged into what is happening around you.
Care for others. Invest time helping them.
Accept the challenge to improve and empower yourself.
Nobody knows better than you, what needs to be worked on, to allow yourself to become the most beautiful “YOU” that you can be.
Thank you for reading this summary.
Beatriz
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