Rejection? Not Your Issue!

By: Andrea Mosby

Often I find myself looking and listening to various media outlets. From the internet, to social media venues, to television. I find that if I pay too much attention to what’s being said, and listen to other’s opinions of what is and what is not, I will struggle with my truth.

Many times as we grow up we have to deal with things we heard both positive and negative from our past. Comments made by family members, teachers, co-worker or even classmates. We have had to distinguish between what was real from other people’s reality. When we deal with listening to our inner voice, we find that we don’t feel like we can live up to our own expectations.

I’ve had to learn that the most powerful way to overcome rejection is to realize it’s not my issue. I know I’m not perfect, but I also know that I’m unique in myself and that no other person on earth can be me or even like me. Isn’t it incredible that no two people on earth share the same fingerprints. Now that’s unique. So often in our society, the need to make people feel less at the expense of trying to feel like more can sometimes make people feel they aren’t good enough.

Which brings me to the point of ENOUGH. I grew up with other’s opinion of what was beautiful, intelligent, and successful. It was proven important for me not to give my power to other people’s opinions early on in my life. I had a friend in middle school that was given everything she could want from her parents. She had the latest everything. From clothes, trips, cars and excessive spending money. Yes, she had many friends and was considered one of the popular people in school.

As I got to know her better, I realized how insecure she was. She would tell me how her parents never had time for her. Oh, she always got what she wanted, but never the love and attention she craved from her parents. What are we looking at when we either compare ourselves to others or even feel insecure about where we are in life. I didn’t grow up having a lot of material possessions, but I sure had a great family life. My father spent time with us, especially on the weekends. My mom would take me and my sisters to her beauty shop to do our hair and just plain took care of us with love and kindness.

Rejection can only have its power when we begin to look to the world for approval and even identity. I suggest that you take the uniqueness you have and express it to the world in the unique way that only you can and give other people their issues back. After all, their opinion is probably rooted in their own insecurity and possibly their own rejection.

Be ok, be you!!! Now that’s incredible.