Dealing With Rejection

Today my friend Sue told me she was dealing with rejection. Sue asked if it was okay to grieve over it. I asked for more details. She had enjoyed a career of secretarial work. Her company had shut down, so she needed another job. She had applied for a job that matched her gifts and talents, and she was being considered. In fact, the boss hinted that she’d nailed it.

Then the big shock! Someone else was hired. She was no longer in the running.

Sue said, “I was told by friends, ‘Ignore what happened and jump back into the job search.’  But I was too weary. I felt a need to grieve and I took some time to do that.”

“It sounds as if you did the right thing. You acknowledged your pain and now you are ready to move on,” I said.

“Yes, I’m ready to renew the search and I have changed my expectations. I am open to other types of jobs as well as this kind,” she said.

She listened to the still small voice within and gave herself permission to grieve. Now she could go forward.