Door Number Two … or Three … or Four …
Disappointments are a part of life. Sometimes when we want something so badly, all we can do is watch it slip away. When things don’t go according to plan or the outcome isn’t what we had hoped for, we’re often left wondering why. Disappointments happen, but it’s how we respond to them that really matters. We need to remember those disappointments do not define us; they are not a measure of our worth.
However, we usually don’t like it very much when things don’t go our way. We’re hurt and sad, sometimes unable to see any positives in the situation. It’s at that moment when we must trust our intuition and surrender the outcomes. We must remember that our self-worth is not determined by other people’s opinions. When people reject us, we cannot lose sight of who we are or who we aspire to be. Instead it’s a time to believe in ourselves all the more – to not give up on our dreams.
Disappointments come and go throughout our lives. Recently, I experienced this first-hand. On Monday afternoon I received an email regarding a writing contest I had entered. Quickly, I opened the email and read the message only to discover that my entry had not been chosen as one of the winners. I sighed deeply. I hadn’t really expected to win, but the disappointment I felt was undeniable. My stomach twisted into knots, and a tear rolled down my cheek. Closing my eyes, I knew in order for the sadness to pass, I had to feel it fully and without judgment. But, what I didn’t expect was how easily my ego would take over. Suddenly, I began to question the very value of my writing. I doubted whether it was good enough for anyone to read. I pondered whether I was even on the right path. Maybe I was wrong that writing was my purpose. Perhaps it had no worth, and neither did I.
But then I realized a contest wasn’t the sole determinant of whether my writing had value. It was only a contest. I needed to stop listening to my ego and instead listen to my heart. For me, the contest wasn’t about winning. It was about trusting in the process. My work would be published, but just through another avenue. This wasn’t the end of the road. It was simply a turning point, an unexpected twist along the path. Another door will open; I just have to be patient and observant enough to see it. I need to trust not only in the value of my writing, but in the value of myself. And perhaps that is the lesson: trusting the process, trusting my worth, and trusting myself enough to follow my intuition no matter what anyone else thinks.
Disappointments are never easy, but they can teach us a great deal. When we get disappointing news or find ourselves in a difficult situation, we often question our path. Our emotions take over, and we begin to wonder whether we should give up or keep on going. It’s in these moments when we grow as people. We hone important traits like perseverance, honesty, compassion, and empathy. These qualities are strengthened through our experiences. Our disappointments help us become better people.
Along life’s journey, you too will face disappointments. So, how do you deal with them? Do you allow yourself to feel every emotion without judgment? Do you look past your ego long enough to see the lessons that are there for you to learn? Disappointments can be difficult, but they are also a turning point that can sometimes have surprising results. Trust in the process and don’t let others’ opinions determine your worth. You are a valuable human being who has so much to offer the world. Listen to your heart and follow your intuition. Disappointments don’t mean you are on the wrong path. They are simply a part of your journey; they are a form of redirection. Listen to their wisdom. See what life lessons you can learn along the way. And always remember to look and see what’s behind door number two … or three … or four …
