A brutal gift – Rejection; beyond the seen & the unseen
It’s funny, isn’t it? We would often rather endure a significant physical discomfort than face the sting of rejection. It hits differently, a direct blow to the ego, leaving a mark far deeper than a bruise. As someone who’s weathered my fair share of ups and downs, I feel I have the authority to talk about rejection. Just had my most recent one a few days ago and hence ‘rejection’ has been. top of mind 🙂
While it’s widely said that “everything feels wise in retrospect,” why wait for retrospect? Why can’t rejection bring powerful lessons right away?
My own journey has refined my perspective significantly over. the years. These are the truths that have helped me move beyond rejection, often turning those very setbacks into the key that unlocked unforeseen successes later. Truly, simple things remain unseen…
1. Nothing Happens Before Its Time. Nothing – This isn’t just a comforting philosophical thought; I’ve come to believe it’s one of the truest things you can tell yourself. If something didn’t pan out despite your best effort, it simply wasn’t the right moment, for reasons often beyond our current comprehension. Believe me, there’s enough and more coming your way, uniquely for you. I’ve seen countless instances where a “no” on one day opened the door to an exponential “yes” the very next, quite literally
2. It’s Not Personal. Really – No one is here to harm or hurt you. There’s almost always a good, logical reason for a rejection – perhaps a better fit, a different direction, or circumstances you’re unaware of. Embracing this truth liberates you from the weight of blame, self-pity and allows you to attract that next chapter of growth
3. It’s Not a Measure of Self-Worth – I had to remind my daughter of this a few years ago when she was denied spot into the global round of a contest after having won the APAC level. Rejection is not a stigma. It’s simply a data point, an outcome of having the courage to raise your hand. We all take our sweet time to pivot our lens sometimes, but truly, this shift makes all the difference. You won’t face rejection if you don’t raise your hand. And you’ll never truly grow if you don’t. The choice is simple
Every time we put ourselves out there, whether for a new role, a big project, or an innovative idea, we risk rejection. But it’s in that risk that the real magic happens.
Someone wise said – “If you aren’t getting rejected, you aren’t being ambitious enough”
Art at Anantyam Qalaa