The Liberation of Rejection

“Dear to us are those who love us… but dearer are those who reject us
as unworthy, for they add another life; they build a heaven before us
whereof we had not dreamed, and thereby supply to us new powers out of
the recesses of the spirit, and urge us to new and unattempted
performances.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today, I found out that I was yet again not selected for a job.  I didn’t really want the job, but I did really want an increase in pay.  And even more than that, I wanted to stop doing what I am currently doing.

It’s just time.  No, actually it’s past time.  The steps have become a little too routine, the conversations extremely monotonous and the drive is slowly leaving my body like mist.  And ever so often, I get excited about the possibility of a new project, a new direction.  Hell, I get excited when a new person comes into the department.

So, this time the rejection was even more disheartening.  Maybe God is saying sit still or maybe it truly isn’t my time.  Nevertheless, I searched for some lesson.  And it really was, why would I really want to do this or any job if I’m not passionate about it.

So when we experience rejection as young professionals, is it because it’s not our time or is it because it takes 10 no’s to get to a yes?  Or have they built a heaven for us?  Whatever it is, it makes rejection feel so much better.