My first job in TV was hosting this young teen magazine show

When Lisa Ling recalled her first job in TV, she unveiled not only a memory but a mirror of the world’s ways. She spoke of a time when she was chosen as one of four hosts for a youthful program, where she was cast as the “perky smart one” beside another girl who was deemed “the pretty one.” In these few words lies a tale of how society often divides, labels, and simplifies people, especially women, into roles that fit its narrow vision. Her reflection is not bitter, but it is filled with the wisdom of hindsight: she saw how early in life the world teaches us to carry certain identities, and how those labels shape the journeys we must walk.

The origin of these words comes from Lisa Ling’s own path as a journalist, a path that began in Sacramento, California. Even as a teenager, she was thrust into the realm of performance and image, where outward impressions were often valued above inner qualities. Yet her role as the “smart one” foreshadowed the woman she would become—an explorer of truth, a seeker of stories, a bearer of knowledge across nations. What seemed then like a simple casting choice became a prophecy of character, as her strength of mind, curiosity, and determination carried her far beyond the shallow divisions of her youth.

Throughout history, women especially have faced this divide between being seen for their appearance and being valued for their intellect. Consider the story of Hypatia of Alexandria, a philosopher and mathematician of the ancient world. Though known for her beauty, she was revered above all for her brilliance. Yet the society around her often struggled to reconcile the two, and her life ended tragically at the hands of those threatened by her wisdom. In Lisa Ling’s story, we hear the faint echo of this ancient struggle: the constant tension between how one is perceived and who one truly is.

To be called the “smart one” may seem a blessing, but even this is a weight to bear. For with such a title comes the pressure to always perform, always prove one’s worth, always stand as the counterpoint to another’s charm. Lisa Ling endured this not with resentment but with resilience, transforming what might have been a label into a foundation. She teaches us that though the world may place us into boxes, we are not bound to remain in them. Through effort and authenticity, we can expand beyond them and create a name of our own.

This tale also reveals the power of beginnings. The first steps of any journey often seem small, yet they shape the direction of the path. That early role, though limited in scope, planted the seeds of Lisa Ling’s confidence and gave her the first taste of a stage she would later use to spotlight voices from around the globe. From that seed grew a mighty tree of journalism, whose branches now stretch across continents, shedding light where there was once darkness. We, too, must respect the humble beginnings in our own lives, for they are the forges in which our destinies are shaped.

The lesson for future generations is profound: do not allow others’ labels to confine you. If the world names you “the pretty one,” let your actions reveal your strength and your mind. If the world names you “the smart one,” let your heart shine with kindness and depth, so that intellect does not stand alone but is joined with compassion. Whatever the label, remember that it is only a mask, and beneath it lies the fuller truth of your being.

Practical wisdom arises from this: when you are young and the world seeks to define you, accept the role you are given with grace, but do not let it cage you. Use it as a stepping stone, not a prison. Breathe courage into your work, nurture the gifts that dwell within you, and with time, you will outgrow the narrow frame others place upon you. For your essence is greater than any single word, and your journey—like Lisa Ling’s—can rise above shallow beginnings into the wide and boundless horizon of truth.

Thus, let us pass down this teaching: identity is not what others name you, but what you build through the work of your hands and the courage of your heart. What begins as a small role in a forgotten show can one day lead to a legacy that changes the world. Walk forward, then, not bound by labels, but strengthened by them, until you have written your own name in the scrolls of eternity.