"There is nothing insignificant in the world. It all depends on the point of view." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I sat at the dinner table with a glass of Bordeaux and a pasted smile. This wasn't the first time my mouth froze in that position. I was sure it wasn't going to be my last.

 "If a man feels small, let man make himself bigger." ~Hubert Humphrey

We were invited to a small dinner party – a birthday celebration a friend of ours decided to throw for himself. It was a friend of my husband's. I knew no one. Yet I relished the chance to meet new and exciting people. I also looked forward to the splendid meal Zagat promised we would enjoy.

In my usual pre-party jitters, I worried about what to wear. If I were a few inches taller and more than a few pounds lighter, I wouldn't have to worry about how my outfit looked. But wait. Hold on a minute, girl. Time to recite the quote you love:

 "To lose confidence in one's body is to lose confidence in oneself." ~Simone de Beauvoir

I am trying to empower myself by building my confidence during my Second Chapter. Repeating this particular quote helps me work toward an improved me.

We arrived at the party on time, and it was intimate and delightful. My husband and I introduced ourselves to each guest before being seated at our table. Beyond the usual niceties of exchanging names and places of residence, I found that many of the guests led exciting lives – from retiring early and moving to coastal Maine (lucky!) to following Bruce Springsteen's tour all over the country (lucky again!)

We were having a good time, but in the back of my mind, I knew the point in the conversation I dreaded was looming. It's when guests begin to ask questions about careers and accomplishments. I used to cringe. I would silently practice my resume  - the "I worked a 'real job' until I became a mom" speech. Rarely did that conversation get out of the starting gate. People usually ask my husband about his career and would show interest in his work. Then I'm asked what I do, and after a brief look of disappointment with no follow-up questions, the conversation moves on to the next guest.    The quiet suburban housewife sits again in silence,  her heart sinking further.

 "The thing that is hard and amazing is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself. "~Anna Quindlen

What about people with so little understanding of someone who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom? Do we all need to fit into society's idea of a "worthy" profession to be exciting and accepted? In all the years I was a stay-at-home mom, that question constantly plagued me, chiseling away my confidence and self-esteem.

"Know what you want. Become your real self." -- David Harold Fink

As I sat there sipping my wine, I halfheartedly listened to the questions being asked of my husband. Then suddenly, something wonderful and unexpected happened. I heard my husband change the direction of the conversation from talking about his career to proudly announcing what I do for mine. He told them about my Second Chapter ambitions and how I am reinventing my career to live my true passions. I almost started to cry. Without missing a beat, the other couples wanted to know about my writing and advocacy work. They all asked for my business card. Ahh.

At that moment, I realized there are many reasons to love being in our fifties and many reasons to be happy about saying farewell to worries of our past.

• Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it." Whatever we choose is the right thing for us to do - always. I will never allow myself to feel insignificant again.
• Life lessons have taught you who you are and what is essential.
• You know what your passions are (and what they aren't.)
• You no longer need to look like an airbrushed model. Feel good about yourself and how you look. You are unique and wonderful, exactly as you are.
• Take time to be proud of yourself and all of your accomplishments.
• Stick to your convictions. Believe in yourself and never compromise by allowing anyone to change your mind.
• Wear whatever you're comfortable in and whatever makes you feel good. A little lipstick, simple jewelry with a sweater, and a pair of (slimming) black pants make me feel good and ready to go.
• Eat in moderation, but don't deprive yourself if something looks scrumptious. We don't need to starve ourselves to look like the cover of Vogue – but we do have to be more conscious of our cholesterol, sodium, and fat intake. Have fun; enjoy yourself and kick back once in a while.

 "The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life." ~Muhammed Ali

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