Dealing with Rejection

There is purpose and meaning behind everything. Things will happen and unfold as they are meant to, in their due time. Nothing can be rushed or forced, and timing plays an important role. Perhaps a little luck and being in the right place at the right time can be essential as well.

It felt strange to interview the other day, and finding myself on the other side of the spectrum. I have hired and interviewed so many people in my career, and although I never thought of it like this before, it felt as if it was my turn to be in the hot seat. I went into the interview with the top paragraph in mind, and placed the outcome fully into the hands of the universe. Was I ready to go back to work, recovered and strong enough, or would this become nothing more than a good practice run? How would I score, competing with so many others there, pursuing the same opportunity?

I found myself struggling with the six page application that was asking for career goals and where I see myself in 2019 and 2020. What was my goal for salary progression and what was I working towards. I didn’t think retirement and a life in a tiny home, “The bus” was a sufficient answer. It caught me by surprise and reminded me that in all actuality my career was behind me. I had little aspirations of promoting, of becoming a store Manager or earning a certain income. Of course I would want to earn enough money to live comfortably, to support the few things that are important to me, but that could have been easily made me look like I was a person with no goals. How would I explain that memories and moments, that experiences and a passport full of stamps was more important than financial wealth and a house full of stuff?

It took me longer to fill out the application than the actual interview lasted. Within five minutes it was all over with, and to me that had never been a good sign. In my time interviewing others, it meant that the candidate was simply not the right fit. I always spent more time with people I was interested in as I was eager to get to know them. In my case being the interviewee, there was little to no connection, and although the interview, all five minutes worth was really good as far as a professional level is concerned, I felt that I was not what they were looking for, and I felt it coming through. It was as if I was politely and complimentary rejected as we said our goodbyes. This morning I received the official email telling me that the decision was made to go with someone that had prior experience, wishing me nothing but the best of luck in my job search.

My thoughts were confirmed, but I couldn’t help feel rejected and not wanted at first.

Rejection: The dismissing or refusing of a proposal, idea, etc. Nonacceptance, declining, turning down

It is still a blow to someone’s ego, knowing that you didn’t make the cut, and it leaves you wondering as to why. Perhaps you didn’t fit the image, perhaps being too old didn’t fit the image. Sometimes similar experiences such as dealing with the public and years of customer service are not enough when it comes to competing with a younger, perhaps more attractive face. This is exactly how it left me feeling, and the fact remains that it is much tougher to find work being older, closer to retirement. I think there is a stigma, a certain label that gets attached, a liability that comes with age, although due to laws such opinions would never be expressed. At the end of the day, I will not harbor and entertain such thoughts, but I am not oblivious to them. I will focus on that it simply wasn’t meant to be, just yet, and seldom do we ever get the first job that comes wandering our way. The perfect opportunity is waiting out there, and I will know when it comes my way.

All is well, and if you are rejected for whatever reason, personally or professionally, remember that something better is on the way, and that it wasn’t due to you.

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Strong enough

“Be strong enough to stand alone.”

Don’t forget to listen to your heart, it already knows the path. Sometimes it is more important to risk and take a leap of faith, jumping into the unknown, vs. playing it safe, and spend a life wondering “what if”. Life has always found a way to work out how it is meant to be. Trust the process and believe.

Would you rather have loved and lost, or not loved at all? Would you put yourself last and lose who you are in order to please and accommodate others? Would you make excuses for your decisions and your personal needs, to not disappoint those around you? Do you feel it is necessary in order to be accepted?

These are some of the questions we face each day and the answers will vary from person to person. Perhaps there is no right or wrong, only a matter of preference, maturity and personal choice. I always try to remember this when meeting others and there is no “one fits all” type of approach. It allows us to respect and appreciate each other, even if our opinions and choices differ.

It might difficult to find the path at times and to muster the courage to hold our anxiety at bay. But no matter which route you choose, make sure that if you have to, you stay true to yourself, and….

“Be strong enough to stand alone”

The five W’s of life

Picture: Lake Tahoe, my neighborhood this week. How could this view ever get old?

I’m sure if I pondered it, I could find more than five W’s to make the list. I probably could go on and on, but here are some big ones to consider to make life easier.

WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.

WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. D not be afraid to explore.

WHEN life pushes you over, you push back harder.

WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won’t regret.

WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in stride and move forward.

A talk with myself

Sometimes I need to reminded that I’m not superwoman. That I can only handle so much, and that everything has a breaking point.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that not everything is within my control, no matter how much I wish that I could help.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that I can’t please everybody, and chances are there will always be someone who doesn’t see eye to eye with me.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that I can’t save everybody, not the ones who don’t care to be saved, nor can I save the world.

But I will always remember that every good deed makes a difference, and that change is influenced by one random act of kindness at a time.

Feathery friend

Have you ever taken a moment to pause the hectic, to slow things down, and pay close attention to what is going on around you? It’s hard to do sometimes, and we can easily get sucked into today’s busy lifestyle if we are not careful. But seriously, where you able to take a moment to notice the unusual, the not so common, have you perhaps taken the chance to witness the signs and messages that are meant for you? If so, then you know that the universe is trying to communicate with you, and nothing, absolutely nothing ever happens by accident or coincidence.

Life has been full of signs and reassurance for me lately, and it seems as if I am making up for the quiet times when the spirits were silent in Germany. From my recent oracle card reading which seemed to have been the start of everything, to feathers of purity falling from the sky, to my gemstone purchase, to my fortune cookie and now this unusual visitor. I’ve never seen a bird like this here, and for the longest time he was just sitting on my fence, turning occasionally to look at me. What kind of message could he have for me?

It is said that like the wolf, the bird spirit animal is associated with higher knowledge. It symbolizes freedom and strength, as well as harmony with fellow creatures. The bird meaning can apply to different areas of your life. Most of the time, the meaning of the bird signifies your ability to remain in control of your emotions, and your ability to beat hardships as time goes by.

It represents endings and beginnings, and the importance of not rushing or flapping furiously just to get to your destination. It signifies lightness of being, and having a close relationship with God. It represents your extravagant and intricate thoughts as well as your understanding of the worlds energies. The meaning of the bird represents the use of your voice to heal, to bring new hope, and to find every day joyful treasures.

The bird meaning signifies illumination and empowerment. It ushers in fortune and luck, and it represents purity, elegance, opportunity, and victory. The bird spirit animal also signifies your indomitable spirit and your ability to rise above adversities. When the bird spirit animal comes flying into your life, you can expect your luck to change for the better. It brings with it a message of power and strength, encouraging you to get out of your comfort zone and reach for the stars. The bird meaning is telling you to stop thinking less of yourself because you are so much more than that. It helps you gain clarity, come up with a plan to make your dreams a reality, and have to confidence to see it through. With the bird spirit animal, tomorrow is always a new day. You will always be moving forward and bringing new changes in your life.

You will discover more new beginnings than endings. With the bird totem, you will learn how to spring forward and break free from the chains. The meaning of the bird reassures you that if you leave all the weight of your past behind, you will experience a different kind of lightness and freedom in love.

There is much to ponder here and I’m reminded to reach for the stars and to believe in miracles. The time is here to pursue my dreams and to let worries fall to the wayside. I need to make a plan and give myself some deadlines to strive towards to visualize the desired end result better.

Fortune Cookie – Superstition

Truth or superstition?

I don’t care, and I can hear Steve Wonder singing it. I am ready, and today as most days, I’m choosing to believe.

It might be very superstitious, but the writing is in my hand.

Good things are heading my way.

To feel deeply or not at all

The world of an empath is challenging and rewarding at the same time. A healthy balance is key, and solitude is needed to retreat and charge your batteries when your light is getting dim.

I’ve had plenty of times thinking that I have felt just a little too much. That it was a curse to get involved too deeply, feeling everything as if it was happening to me directly, picking up the pain and hardship of others while it was draining my own energy away. But would it be better not to feel at all? What an empty shell would we be without our feelings and compassion. Without the opportunities to make a difference for others and do good in this world.

There is little control in adjusting the level of how much you want to feel. It’s either all or nothing and an empath has no choice. It’s draining as you pick up the unspoken energy of society and the world around you. You easily sense vibes and moods without even trying, no matter how much someone wants to conceal those emotions. You smell a lie and excuse a mile away. Not much gets by you which in turn can be intimidating to others. Most likely you can’t stand gossip as it brings disruption and turmoil into your life.

Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath that is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a “hot mess” or having “too many issues” are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.

~Anthon St. Maarten

The message

Sometimes, we need something to believe in. Something that gives us that little push and newfound inspiration. We search and hang on to any thread of possibility. We see everything as signs because we need believe and hope to pull us through the rough patches. I have become so good at noticing those signs and I enjoy it a great deal. To be able to read the synchronicities that are intentional and are no coincidence by any means. There is meaning to be discovered and nothing happens by accident.

Just a few days ago, I wrote a post about an Oracle card reading I did for myself. “Protected by Angels” was one of the cards that came up, with a message that would intensify in the near future, just a few days later.

“Watch for your Angels signs, especially in the form of feathers, the card read. There’s a secret plan for your life. Your life is guided. The angelic message is that you are going in the right direction and everything is unfolding exactly as it should be. When you receive this card, it can also mean that you are an angelic, healing force for others because the light within you is so bright”.

A powerful card, which message put me at ease, and left me feeling favored and protected. The card came and went, but it wasn’t going to be the end of it. Looking out into my backyard, a bright white feather was lying directly in front of me. I have found many feathers in the past, but never one like this, and in this color. That was unusual enough to prompt further research to get to the bottom of the meaning.

Spiritually, a white feather is typically seen as a sign from the angel or spirit of a loved one who has passed on. White feathers symbolize faith and protection and are most significant when found in the spot where they are not likely to be, such as inside of a home or an automobile.

White feathers are spiritually tied to angels due to the fact that humans associate angels with wings, usually white ones. Finding a white feather after a loved one has passed away brings a sense of comfort during mourning. White symbolizes purity and many people believe that finding a white feather is a sign that they are on the right path in life.

In olden times, feathers signified a variety of things. People placed feathers under the pillows of family members and loved ones in order to speed up recovery, and feathers were also placed in doorways to keep unwanted visitors from entering the home.

In Native American culture, the appearance of random white feathers signifies rebirth and new beginnings, and feathers are commonly worn on Native American headdresses to symbolize hope and faith as well as to strengthen the connection between the physical and spiritual world.

Not only do I feel reassured to trust the process and the path I can not always see, but so many answers reached me with the arrival of this white feather. Whether it comes to the purity of intend, to keeping hope and faith alive in the most adverse of times, or knowing that my guardian angels are watching out for me, the sign received and message retrieved was necessary to strengthen all of these things. Sometimes we need something to believe in, and when we believe, the universe will provide us with the answers.

Hustle or Align?

Just the post title could set off an array of questions and debatable topics. Sounds familiar….I bet you have hustled all of your life, haven’t you? Worked hard to make ends meet, had no other choice, and there has never been another way. Where are you now, has your approach been successful or has it left you yearning? Have you found something missing in your hustle?

I bet you never caught that break and you are still waiting. One day it’s going to happen and everything will change. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but chances are you will continue to wait. Some things are surely out of our control, but others are destined to be created by us. Happiness depends on us and our vision on how we view success. Life can be tough, we all know and nobody gets out without their share of experiences. Sometimes it’s a success just to overcome these experiences if you can let them change you for the better instead of the worse. But what if you could make things a little easier now and align your hustle?

Maybe you could destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working and grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery, and reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and ultimately happy life.

What moments could you collect now, what memories could be made? How could you bring balance to the madness? Wouldn’t a nap, or daydreaming under that tree be wonderful to counteract the hectic of today’s modern day life? Wouldn’t that be success towards a happy life at it’s finest?

Shikoba

Have you ever heard of the Shikoba Wild Woman Sisterhood? It’s a movement of women in which light and darkness come together. Where we join forces and dance to the fullness of life by empowering each other. Shikoba connects us with Mother Earth, an environment where women connect in respect and equality.

Here is a little something that speaks to my own heart when it comes to the subject of being a Wild Woman. What is that really mean? For sure to be interpreted different from person to person, maybe even taken out of context here and there. Here is a small part of my own take on it.

Wild women follow no religion,

We follow the teachings of our ancestors and nature is our temple.

Nature is our mother and teacher.

Our sisters provide the strength we need,

And the goddess holds us within her heart.

The Wild Woman follows nothing but her wild heart.

~Shikoba

Here is celebrating all of you who have found the courage to be your own wild woman. The ones that march to the beat of their own drum. The nonconformists that can’t be tamed and who have a hunger for unconventionality and freedom. The ones that see a living soul in the eye of each animal, and the ones who love with all their passion and heart. It takes courage to be a Wild Woman, but the rewards will always offset the risks. Here is to you my sisters. 💙🦋