On Rejection
A response to a call.
Good Afternoon, ya’ll.
Recently I was asked to contribute to a collection of rejection. It took me some time, considering my obsession with words, to figure out what, exactly, rejection was.
In addition, there were constraints. Word constraints.
And if you’ve been around my writing very long, you know I have trouble with those!
We’ll see if I was successful.
Below you will see a link to The Rejection Palace call to action as well as my submission, titled “On Rejection”.
Thank you, , for allowing me this opportunity.
And thank you, , for issuing the challenge.
On Rejection
Rejection, the moonlit shadow cast upon the heart's yearning, the forlorn whisper of a door gently closing, the unspoken farewell in a lover's eyes.
A rose denied the kiss of the morning sun, withering in the cold grip of solitude. Rejection is the echo of a dream that never blossomed, a candle extinguished by an unseen breath.
Yet, within its melancholic embrace, rejection holds the seeds of resilience, the quiet promise of a dawn yet to come.
My most recent encounter with the shadow of rejection began as an employee at a national telecom company. I had been headhunted by a former manager, now a friend, who saw potential in me. I joined with high hopes, believing I could be a significant asset.
The excitement faded quickly. Working remotely brought its own set of difficulties: equipment malfunctions, technical glitches, and access issues. Training sessions, meant to prepare me, were constantly canceled or interrupted. I was often pulled from training to fix urgent issues, leaving me feeling unprepared and overwhelmed.
The day of my dismissal is etched in my memory. I was asked to join a video call, and the sight of multiple participants set off alarm bells. As I listened to the reasons for my termination, I felt a crushing sense of defeat. Despite my efforts to stay composed, the rejection pierced through, leaving me feeling responsible, worthless, and hopeless.
In the aftermath, I grappled with intense emotions. I felt a failure, questioning my abilities and self-worth. Denial was my initial refuge—clinging to the belief that my firing was not due to incompetence. Over time, I had to confront the truth and stop sugar-coating my dismissal as merely being "laid off" or "let go."
This period of soul-searching led to a realization. I reached out to my old boss, the one who had recruited and eventually fired me. In a heartfelt text, I expressed my understanding of his decision. I acknowledged that, in hindsight, it was the right move for both the company and myself. This rejection had jolted me out of complacency and pushed me to rediscover passions that had lain dormant, like writing.
Today, while the sting of rejection still lingers, I find myself in a much better place. I work for a local company in a different IT role, one that brings me satisfaction and growth. Additionally, I have my Substack, "Dad Explains," where I channel my experiences and insights into writing. This creative outlet has become a source of joy and fulfillment, a testament to the new paths that rejection can open.
My journey through rejection has been one of transformation and resilience. It taught me that failure is not a measure of worth but a catalyst for growth. Embracing this mindset allowed me to turn a painful experience into an opportunity for self-discovery and renewal. I hope my story serves as a beacon for others facing similar trials, reminding them that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way to the light.
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Well done Andrew.
Put in simpler terms “you’re either winning or you’re learning.”
In work in a supplier of telecom on an account for the biggest of the American telecom providers. They are my customer.
They are brutal.
They hold such hubris and play their power so mindlessly and ineptly that we just sit back and chuckle. And we play the game and are successful in the game.
Glad to hear it all worked out for the best.
And it’s the story to tell. Self reflection and self awareness and improvement.