Stand Up For Yourself

Last night Carter, Russ and I attended the big time social event of the holiday season, the Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball.  It was a beautiful occasion where 38 young women were presented to society.  When I was young it was called “coming out,” but that now has a much different connotation so now it is just considered making your debut.

That’s a funny word, debut, as if these girls have been kept in hiding all the eighteen years of their lives and are only now being reveled for the world to see.  Despite the old fashioned idea of being a Deb it is really a nice family affair where the girls are each individually introduced dressed in their long white gowns with full length white gloves as their father’s escort them down the center of the ball room with all the guests seated in a horseshoe watching their every move.  Following the introductions the girls and their fathers and then Marshalls perform four highly choreographed dances, then the party begins.

I am happy to report that not one girl tripped, or even stumbled as they each had 700 eyes on them making the long walk around the ballroom on their father’s arm.  Each girl looked beautiful, but some more than others.  The most graceful girls were not necessarily the prettiest, nor had the most stunning dress, hair or make-up, no.  The one thing that really set some girls apart from others was their posture.  Those who stood with shoulders back and head held high were far more radiant.  This held true for the Father’s and Marshalls too.  Men who shuffled, slouched or hung their head as they walked were far less attractive.

Not only was great posture the thing that made a girl standout, it also was an instant diet, making everyone with it look ten pounds thinner.  Good posture is the fastest diet out there or consequently, slumping is the least delicious way to gain ten pounds.  If I am going to put on weight I want to at least have some cake to show for it.

So stand tall, throw your shoulders back, lift your chin, put one foot in front of the other and come on out.  You don’t have to be a Deb to be graceful.