Rejection

As someone who used to do some acting, and now a writer, rejection is the name of the game. You know you’ll get it. It’s part of the territory. Knowing it does not, however, make it any easier. Each one cuts down to the very core. You’ve lain your heart bear in creation of the character whether it be on screen or on paper. What’s that old saying—dying from a thousand cuts? That’s what it’s like. Sometimes the rejections aren’t too bad, like when I was rejected for a part because I was too short. Or, maybe they said that to make me feel better.

Rejection of my book when it’s released next month is already starting to creep in. I know some won’t like it…it just won’t be their cup of tea. Most, hopefully will love it.

But rejections in life are a totally different thing. Being rejected by a lover or dear friend, parent or sibling can throw us right down the rabbit hole of pain and despair.

So, today, I was wondering about what works best against the pain of rejection. Is it platitudes, like, “Rejection is a blessing because it’s the universe’s way of telling us that there’s something better out there, or “Rejection is someone blowing a bugle in our ear to wake us up and get us going.” Good thoughts, definitely. If so, what is the ‘better,’ and where are we going?

Then I read this quote from Robert T. Kiyosaki, author of ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad,’ “The more I risk being rejected, the better my chances are of being accepted.” I took this to mean that in order to have no rejection we must remain stagnant and insular—a very sad place to be indeed. If we don’t risk, we certainly won’t be rejected, but then we aren’t giving anyone a chance to accept us either. I like that. A lot.

That’s my way to handle the pain of rejection. I’d love to hear your ideas and ways of dealing with it.

Ciao for now.