As I picked up the gift I was taking to my next door neighbors' Thanksgiving dinner, the chime on my back door rang. I opened the door, and one of my hosts and a very attractive dark haired man stood there.
"Oh," said Dewey, "the godess herself!" I glanced behind me...a godess I'm not, well, maybe a long time ago.
A moment like that can, or should give you all the confidence you need. My charming escorts walked me from my garden to Dewey's. I gained at least ten pounds when I walked into the house just sniffing the goodies being prepared in the kitchen, and I met an assortment of various parents, friends and Dewey's grandmother who is 84 and a delight. I had an "adopted" family for the day.
In an article I read recently it stated that confidence means "you believe in yourself, you trust your own resourcefulness and judgment." According to Dr. Nathaniel Branden, it's "the sum of self-confidence and self-respect."
Social situations are easier for me than, for instance, job interviews where the stakes are higher, judgments harsher and the possibility of rejection a looming black hole.
Being part of a group of laughing, smiling and friendly people is like really good therapy. I know that's a weird analogy, but many years ago after a good session with my therapist, I felt relaxed, free of demons and confident.
For job interviews I make sure my resume is perfect, that I'm prepared, confident (but not overly so) and comfortable in my own skin. Socially, most people don't have a preconceived concept of who or what you are other than, "That nice lady next door..." Isn't life great?
