Rejection, Redirection, and Gratitude
Gratitude doesn't make our tough times less tough.
I'm writing this email from my room at Civana. This beautiful resort is in Carefree, Arizona. Yes, you read that right—the city is called Carefree. What a place to be! My teaching residency this past year has been incredible. Every quarter I get to show up for folks in the most intentional way I can for an entire week. I've been teaching Writing to Heal classes since Tuesday, and wow. The guests here have been showing up in the best way! They are all so committed to their healing, voice, and doing their soulwork. Each and every person I've met here has reinforced in my spirit why I do this work. We need one another, and in each class, that truth becomes more and more clear.
Yesterday, we focused on the lessons we've learned from rejection and how we've learned gratitude from being redirected on our path. The answers were profound. The common thread in class was the ability to gather the lessons without harsh self-judgment. Someone mentioned yesterday that the redirection kept them from going after what they "thought" they wanted. It turned out that they actually didn't want what they once thought they did. The guest then expressed gratitude for the rejection they'd faced and for the new path they were placed on.
Hearing how gratitude for the hard stuff softened folks warmed my heart. Something I gathered from our session yesterday was that gratitude doesn't make our tough times less tough. Instead, it opens our hearts and minds to self-compassion, empathy, and a willingness to understand that some things won't ever be easy. When ease evades us and rejection greets us, that doesn't mean we aren't worthy. Practicing grateful living is an exercise of patience for the lessons that emerge through the thick of our struggles.
I'd like to invite you to explore the questions I asked the group yesterday in your own journals. Feel free to leave a comment answering the one that speaks to you the most.
Rejection and Redirection Prompts:
What has rejection taught you about finding a new way?
What has redirection taught you about gratitude?
In what ways can you be less hard on yourself?
What failure has helped you fly?
Who has helped you see your strength along the way?
My answers are below.
Rejection has taught me that:
A new way is always possible. I just have to be willing to see it and press onward.
I can overcome if I am willing and dedicated.
I will rise and find peace even when things feel low, heavy, or uncertain.
I am joyful. I will not allow the hiccups in life to rob me of my happiness.
I am always worthy, even in the eyes of rejection.
I can trust the re-route before me.
I am willing to learn.
I am open to letting go.
Redirection has taught me that:
I can be grateful for the now, even if everything else feels like too much to consider.
I must be patient as I walk toward the future.
I am willing to trust the new way.
I can trust my process. I win some. I learn some.
Thank you so much for reading Gratitude Weekly. If you like this newsletter, please subscribe here and share it with a friend.
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Learn more about my residency and join me in December at Civana here.
DAILY GRATITUDE MEDITATIONS: here.