I always thought of Tori Spelling as a snotty, rich, spoiled brat. Maybe that's because she was one in Beverly Hills 90210. Or maybe it's because after seeing her father's 123-room, 56,000 square foot Hollywood mega-mansion, I was just jealous.
Either way, when Tori & Dean Inn Love, Tori's reality show with her husband Dean McDermott, launched, I nearly vomited at the thought that anyone would sponsor a show about bratty Tori. Then I watched an episode, and here's what I learned.
1. Tori gets up early in the morning to run several businesses at once. She mothers an infant while maintaining a marriage. She's writing her memoirs. She's pitching herself as a radio talk show host She's starring in a reality tv show. She's healing from her father's 2006 passing. She's regrouping after a public cat fight with her mother. She's zipping around the country selling jewelry, books and herself. Who can do all that and still be standing?
What I Learned: Energy is mental. Make up your mind to do something and your body will follow.
2. I watched some show outtakes and saw Tori laughing at herself a lot. She spoofs her nose job, her baby weight, her celebrity. Tori knows that her life has a certain quirkiness and she takes it in stride. She can be self deprecating and I think that draws people to her.
What I Learned: Don't take yourself too seriously.
3. Tori has a budding jewelry line, is thinking of openg a French fry restaurant and a mom/baby clothing store, is managing an inn and who knows what else. In an interview segment, Tori was asked why she works so hard. Her answer: "I've got to take care of my family." She may have been born rich, but Tori is pulling her own weight.
What I Learned: We all can use our talents and gifts to take care of our kids.
4. Tori doesn't beat herself up for being born into a family of wealth and privilege. After all, it wasn't her fault. She's had an interesting life so she's writing a memoir. She likes jewelry so she's starting a jewelry line. She's in love so she is married. She's fertile so she's having babies. She's playing the hand she was dealt.
What I Learned: Bloom where you are planted.
5. Tori claimed to be nervous at her Home Shopping Network jewelry line launch. I'm not sure I believe that, but either way, it's a risk to put a new product out there. Also, since she knew nothing about running an inn when she bought the one she now owns, I'd say she's a risk taker. I suppose she could have used some of her father's connections to land a cushy acting job, but for someone who likes to live on the edge, that would have been too easy.
What I Learned: Playing it safe is boring and gets you nowhere.
6. Tori and Dean are inspiring families to pool their talents, gifts, experiences and life history to bring home the bacon. Entrepreneurship is not an option, especially for the next generation. One episode of the show is dedicated to the family's trip to a fancy B&B in Great Britain. I'm sure the entire vacation (uh, I mean business trip) was tax deductible. If reality tv can get that message out, then I'm all for it.
What I Learned: What I already knew. Every family should have a business of their own.
7. You don't see the hired help much on the show (though the innkeeper shows up in one segment to teach viewers how to make a bed — look out Martha!), but you know they are there. There's no way a new wife and mom could do what Tori does and still be alive unless she had help.
What I Learned: Confirmation that nannies, baby sitters and maid services are an Indie's best friends.
9. In one episode, Tori met with a couple to talk about hosting their wedding at the inn. The couple wanted Tori to officiate at their wedding but she was not qualified to do so. She went online and found a place where she could become a "reverend" using her credit card. Everyone was happy.
What I Learned: When there's a will, there's a way.
10. Once, I watched the show and focused mainly on Dean. Tori wound herself up and he watched her go. It kind of looked like my house. His style is different from hers, but he's very involved and most definitely part of the team. All the while, Tori's in constant motion with a big smile on her face.
What I Learned: Have fun.
I know that a reality show is not "reality," and I'd never advise tv watching as a way to pass the time. On the other hand, I don't throw the baby out with the bath water either. For an Indie, especially one in a family business, a few episodes of this show will encouarage and inspire you. If you can't get to the tube, you can enjoy snippets of the show at this link.
Work with what God gave you. Put food on the table. Serve others. Enjoy the life you were given. What else is there?
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