A recent writing prompt from a group that I belong to requested a letter of encouragement to a friend that had experienced rejection.
Below are my words to my fictional friend.
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My dear down in the dump friend,
It’s the weekend and I know for a fact that you are holed up in your house because you don’t want to be around people. You’ve put a frozen pizza in the oven and are munching on Snickers while you wait for it to cook. You are dressed in your slouchy sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt with mismatched socks on and your hair in a messy ponytail wondering what you can clean while you wait for that darn pizza that seems to be taking forever to cook. Right about now you are probably pacing in your kitchen, with that darn rejection letter sitting on your counter. You walk by but avert your eyes because you just know that they are right. You are not good enough. You’ll never be good enough, so why continue to try? As your friend, I am here to tell you that you should keep on trying because you are good enough. You have a beautiful heart and a creative mind and a story within you that has courage, strength and perseverance. Don’t you think someone out there in this big old world needs to read that story? Don’t you think that there is a person out there who just may be going through what you have went through and your words, yes, your words can make a positive difference to them? You want to know why I think that? I’m going to tell you. Years ago, when you shared your story with me, you had no idea that I had been through the same thing and that I had no idea how to cope when the demons came rearing their ugly heads. I listened to you and looked at you and saw nothing but strength and courage. I was in awe and then I was in tears. Do you remember that my sweet friend? You decided you wanted to write about it. I encouraged you then and I will continue to encourage you now. You and I both know that rejection comes at us from all angles throughout our lives. At times rejection can feel like poison arrows piercing our hearts and yes, you want to crawl into your safe space and stay there for a while. Heck, I’ve done it myself and who pulled me out? You did! You pulled me out by encouraging me and telling me that I was worth more than I could imagine, that one person’s rejection did not define me. So I am throwing your words right back at you my friend. You are worth more than you can imagine and one person’s rejection does not define you or your ideas or your dreams. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Look in the mirror. Look closely. Ignore those tear stained eyes and tell yourself that you are a warrior. You’ve proved it by coming this far and damn it, you are going to keep on going because you are worth it and your story is worth it, you just haven’t found the right person to read it. I’ve read your story. I’ve heard you verbalize that story. I’ve watched you grow through and from the sharing of that story. It is worth sharing and you are the only one who can do it. So dear heart, take a few days to wallow and then get your butt in gear. Step back, re-read what you’ve written as if it is about another person. Replace “I” with “She”. Re-read it and then you tell me if it isn’t worth it to share to help even one person. From one warrior to another. Much love and encouragement coming your way. Kim