Rejection is protection

Rejection.

A painful concept. Just hearing the word may make you cringe.

But like many things, sometimes it helps to look at it from a different angle. I would recommend doing that with rejection.

Sometimes, rejection is protection.

Back in the day, probably about 15 years ago, I worked with a woman who was a single mom. I was still married at the time and had a young child.

This woman and I were both smart and capable and recognized as such at our workplace, yet we were still occasionally passed over for the plum projects, which frequently went to a guy who was much less capable of completing the projects – in fact he would often enlist our help on his projects – but he was a much better schmoozer and a favorite of senior management.

This woman and I would occasionally complain to one another about this situation. Finally she came up with a catch phrase – rejection is protection.

She went on to explain that while it may have been unfair that we were competent to engage in said plum projects and that perhaps there was a bit of a boys’ club mentality, we were actually being protected by this rejection. We both had young children, and while we may have had the more pedestrian projects, we were also able to leave work on time and not spend time away from our families. We were also not subject to the scrutiny that accompanied those particular projects. So every time this type of situation occurred, we would remind each other of that one sentence – rejection is protection.

This story is not intended to be a commentary on workplace or gender politics, so please don’t take it as such. But rather it’s more a way to consider the other ways of looking at the world when things don’t go your way.

Whether it’s a situation at work or the loss of a relationship or friendship, or even the way that a family member treats you, always remember that rejection is protection.

It’s the universe’s way of dispersing the negative influences in your life and creating a clearing for new experiences to flood into your world.

Boyfriend disappeared? Rejection is protection. You deserve someone who will be there for you and treat you with love, dignity, and respect.

Not getting the recognition and projects you were hoping for at work? Rejection is protection. This is the time for you to jump start your game and either kick it into higher gear at your current workplace or venture out and look for something new.

Friends not being inclusive and treating you with respect? Rejection is protection. With 7 billion people in the world, even the most introverted of us can find other people to engage and become friends with. Does it happen overnight? No, but you can at least begin the process of meeting new people and expanding your world.

Family members not treating you with the love and kindness you deserve? Rejection is protection. You don’t need the abuse, not even from family. We don’t choose our family members, but we can choose who we spend time with. I’m not telling you to cut your family out of your life entirely, rather suggesting that maybe you dial is back a bit and fill your life with friends who are supportive and kind and loving.

Does this mean that any of these things will hurt any less? Probably not. They’re all painful situations. But it will give you the opportunity to realize that a door may open when another one closes.

So, say it with me, people. You know the words…

Rejection is protection.