Rejection...no one wants to experience it, but it's a very real part of life. However there is another part of rejection, one that we , unfortunately must endure the pain of rejection to get to, and that is the grace that comes after rejection.
Grace is defined as a benefit or blessing received that is usually undeserved or extra, above and beyond what was initially asked for.
Thus grace is the experience of receiving more than what we *lost* through the rejection. sadly, many of us never enjoy the fruits of grace because we never stretch ourselves or reach for the highest heights where there is an actual possibility of rejection. We've grown soft in our fear of rejection. we play small, stay in our shell, and never risk embarrassment, vulnerability, judgment or even being seen, all in the name of avoiding rejection.
When we stay small, inhibited, and protected, we never learn our strengths or weaknesses. In our failure to approach a sought after lover, we miss out on the friendship that could develop. In our anxiety about leaving an unhealthy relationship, we miss out on the discovery of our well of resourcefulness that is uncovered as a single person. When we fail to attempt a lofty goal, we miss out on experiences; the very matter of life! Every new attempt involves learning, and if we never learn, we become stagnant. Our creativity suffers; our minds fail to flourish; possible connections are missed.
This then is the grace of rejection.
We learn a new set of skills.
We have a new set of experiences.
We learn about the nature of life.
We are equipped with a new set of questions to ask.
We learn to forge our own path.
With that, our only option is to keep going and growing, regardless of rejection. We live, learn, joyfully embrace the grace, and try again.