Today We Both Learned a Lesson in Rejection
Lately before I sit down to write I find myself asking “What do people want me to write about?”
I dive back into my reader survey responses to see the most requested topics. I get some ideas but something’s holding me back.
What do I feel like writing about? But what if people don’t like it? I can’t decide, and so I don’t write.
Later I’m picking up my daughter from school. She runs to the car beaming and shouts as soon as she climbs in “I’M THE FIRST MATE!” It’s the class “star of the week.” I gave her a high five and cheered her on as she told me more about her duties. I would have realized she was given the title had I throughly read her weekend folder but that’s neither here no there.
She opened her backpack and pulled out a poster-sized sheet of paper she would decorate and fill in blanks all about her. I knew she’d have a hay day since she adores any art task.
She looked it over as we drove and said “Mommy… What if nobody likes it?”
“What do you mean baby?”
“I mean, what if my class doesn’t like how I decorate it?”
“Oh, everyone will love it! You’re great at art!”
“No, but I mean, what if they DON’T?” She persisted.
“Well, you make something that you like, and work your best on it, then if they don’t like it, you’ll still be proud of it,” I told her. “It won’t really matter what they think.”
It wasn’t until I sat down to attempt another blog post and the doubting thoughts started to creep in again when I stopped and laughed at myself.
How can I give my 5-year-old the best, most honest advice about dealing with potential rejection yet not own it myself?
As wise mothers how much advice to we dish out to our kids on a daily basis? If your child asks as many questions as my daughter then you’re probably giving a lot! But how often do we use our own advice?
I think it’s time I start to take my own advice. Not just with blogging, but in life. Fear of asking for help because I may be rejected. Fear of trying something new because I may be bad at it. Whether you’re 5 or 65, we can’t let fear of rejection hold us back from our potential.
So, this wasn’t what I was planning on writing today. I mean, something more pinterest-worthy would have been nice. But I wrote it anyway, and I’m feeling good about it, and I’m not afraid.
~At the time of this blog post, Lil’ J is 5 years 9 months old.~
Tags: blogging, family, lil j, motherhood, parenting
Jenn, One of the things I love about you and your blog is that you share things that are real. You share your heart and your experiences. Those words won’t reach or touch everyone, but the odds are that they will make a difference for someone. And in my opinion that is usually more important than anything else. Have you heard the parable of the starfish?
It was a lovely post. I really enjoyed it and WOW did you nail it. You answer to your daughter was so sweet and applies to all of us. Loved it.
And you shouldn’t be, either! We almost never follow our expert advice that we dish out to everyone on a constant basis. Not until we are stopped in our tracks by it. Living is learning and learning is moving beyond fear.
totally made me tear up because how dare i give her advice i dont even follow myself. in order for her really to live that advice out she needs to see that in action and i havent been showing her that. just another #momfail but this post gets me standing a little taller, as in, to really go after things i fear. time to go for it and be the fearless role model she needs, thanks Jenn
Just feeling good.It won’t really matter what they think.