Self-Confidence is a WONDERFUL Thing!



Last night WJJ and I attended the Opera Ball.  Most charity events in Honolulu have the same format.  Most often they’re Black Tie and it’s held at the Sheraton ballroom.  You arrive at 6:00PM and upon entering you receive a glass of champagne and then you walk around the reception area perusing the “silent auction items.”  Last night was quite typical.

I wore a black Escada gown and I was incredibly thankful that it fit perfectly and my hair came up nicely.  By the way, I do my own hair for all functions.  I will tell you that often times, my hair seems to look fabulous when WJJ and I are simply staying home.  And when we are going to a gala, it never seems to come out right.  I probably spend way too much time “fluffing and buffing.”  The good news was, last night everything seemed to fall into place.

Once we had our champagne in hand, I seemed to get something in my eye.  When you wear contact lenses and cannot see 5 inches in front of you with them, this could spell catastrophe.  I quickly excused myself to the Ladies Room to “check out” the contact.

Fortunately, after a few blinks, everything was OK.  But I did notice that throughout my “blinking session” there was a thirty-something gal standing next to me fumbling with the back of her dress.  She was wearing a print long “gown” and had also had a non-descript sweater over it.  After watching her for several minutes, I asked, “Do you need any help?”

She very quietly said that she was trying to adjust her gown.   She continued, “My friend just told me I’m falling out of my dress.”  By the way, even if she did “fall out”, there wasn’t much to see.  Plus what kind of friend would say that at a black tie event and not volunteer to help?

She explained what she was trying to do.  Of course, I took over.  I needed a pin (which she had with her) and an elastic (which she had on her long ponytail).  In about 2 minutes, I adjusted the dress to her liking.  I was just about ready to walk away--but I couldn’t. I was not going to leave her in that dowdy sweater.

So, I paused, then stopped and then continued    I took the sweater and tied it up towards one side creating a very  fashion forward asymmetrical tie.  I then took her hair and put in to the other side.   A tad bit of blush and she looked fabulous!  She repeatedly kept softly thanking me.  Finally she said, “My husband will be thrilled.”

Ya think it was her husband who made the comments?

Anyway, this event had 1,000 people.  I went to find WJJ and as luck would have it, there was my new friend “Neely” standing with WJJ and a very dear friend of ours.  Neely introduced me to her husband --a very attractive fellow who is involved with the arts.  Neely was grinning with a great deal of self confidence.   I was tickled beyond words.

No, I didn’t try to recruit her.  No, I didn’t try to book a party.  Every so even I just do things because it’s nice.  Period.   End of statement.  You know what?  Regardless of my major accomplishments in life, last night made me realize that sometimes it’s the simple joys in life that make us feel good.  And Neely’s new confidence was my simple joy.