The Mockery of Rejection

How much rejection can one person take? Not hearing anything after an audition. Not getting the job after a callback. Sending out resumes to only get the basic rejection email for each and every one, regardless of your education, talent, and experience. Meeting someone thinking that this may be the person who will end your singlehood, but then they reject you. Or you refuse to bend over backwards for someone who is not worthy of a fraction of your time or energy. No returned phone calls. No interest. No leads. No work for a looong time. Society rejecting your hair, your intellect, your personality, your beliefs, and your passion.

How much of this can one person take before they climb the highest cliff and willingly leap off? The pain from the jump has to be better than the pain that comes each and every time rejection happens. One of my dear friends posted the following on FB: “Rejection is hard. At any level, in any profession, at any stage in life rejection is hard. It hurts & I'm sorry we have to go thru it.”

Fuck! I am exhausted of the emotional fallout that comes with rejection. I am also exhausted of others believing that I deal with it so well because I know how to smile and bear it, or simply drink, pass out, and bear it. No one likes the word NO. As artists, rejection is a part of the tapestry that lines our journey. Even when you are finally a working artist, rejection always finds you.

So let me be very clear. It sucks! It does not feel good! And many of us are crying inside behind a large grin and warm heart. Now, please do not run out with your pity buckets and find someone who has recently experienced rejection. Because guess what?! Your rejection is coming soon so be ready.

Rejection is simply a reminder that God is working miracles that have yet to be seen or manifested. And if you do not believe in God or a higher power than you better manifest some sanity in your own way or else the Rejection Monster will eat you for lunch and dinner. 

Some rejection is a learning curve to encourage you to go back and sharpen your skills and even hire a coach. Or better yet, simply start over with something brand new. Relationship rejection can be a result of you needing to learn how to be a better person or you learning how to select a better circle of friends and/or relationships. Some of us need a great therapist who can provide us the capacity to cope and relate better. All of it is an opportunity if you can get over the initial sting. For most of us, it comes like swarm of bees attacking all at once.

When that happens go inside of yourself and get quiet? Just long enough to hear the answers and to heal. Unfortunately, rejection does not and will not stop. The only thing that changes is how you approach it when it enters your horizon. Prayerfully, each time you will develop those much needed rejection muscles to help you see you to another day. Another goal. Another task. Another challenge. Do not stop because rejection jumped in your path. Eventually you will gracefully ease over it. And when you can’t. Forgive yourself and keep it moving.Or have a drink on me.