Rejection - one of the harshest parts of life. If there is one experience that all we humans have faced in our life that would be the pain of rejection. A sharp pain that makes you feels like an outsider. For some of us who are very lucky, the feeling of rejection is the closest we will ever get to the feeling of being discriminated.
For as bad as it may feel, even denial plays a significant role in our lives for it builds character. It is a great teacher. It does not tell you who or what you should be, but instead lets you decide for yourself who or what you want to be. Rejection will stand between you and your dreams. It will never fight you. All you need to do is to stare it in the eyes and keep going on.
It was not easy when I was working as a model in Milan and later in Los Angeles. Castings were always full of beautiful girls. It wasn't easy. I was being rejected in between five to ten times a day. Being rejected is common in the life of an upcoming model. It either makes you or breaks you. In my case, each rejection just made me stronger. It forced me to realize that the only rejection I should fear is my own.
The only rejection you should fear is your own! Nobody can deny you your happiness, nobody except yourself.
Have you ever thought about how it feels like to be on the other end of the table? To be the one, who must do the rejecting? I have been hiring assistants for twenty years and let me tell you; sometimes it feels as horrible to tell someone; "thanks, but no thanks" as it is to hear it! Especially when I like that person, and she would be so right for the job.
So never think that rejection means you are not good enough. It may be just a matter of circumstance.
Show determination and perseverance, and you will find your way.
I noticed that rejections many times just re-directed me to something better. It did not maybe happen immediately nor did I understand when I was rejected but now looking back over my shoulders I feel like each rejection was a blessing in disguise.
Nowadays I keep being rejected! Maybe not five to ten times a day but still nine out of the ten times I am rejected (except for when I am buying something. When you are handing out money, you are never rejected).
Because of my condition, paralyzed, not being able to speak, I face much prejudice. People think; "what good can anyone be to society in a condition like this." Do not kid yourself, as civilized as we pretend to be, too many people's minds are set to go by preconceptions and one or another form of discrimination.
Most people do not do this on purpose. It is a reaction due to lack of knowledge, a feeling of awkwardness and a sort of fear. They just do not know the facts nor how to face someone like me, someone who is a little different. I understand that is frightening and that it can make someone feel uncomfortable.
However, self-growth is not just essential it is one of the golden rules in life, and it's something a person should keep doing until the end of his/her days. As humans, we should keep an eye on all kinds of prejudice in our environment, leaders and own behaviour just as much as we keep an eye on the weather.
Whenever this ugly, negative and destructive stance show its face, we should tackle it fiercely for the sake of all humankind. Gender, race or colour, the figure of the body or physical state. Man, or woman; white, black or brown, tall, short, skinny or chubby; abled or disabled; we are all equal, we all deserve the same treatment, we all have the same rights, and we all should, NO, must respect the rights of others.