Rejection....

I have noticed recently that one of the things that hurts people's feelings is rejection. Any kind of rejection stings, even when it's from somebody you didn't even particularly like, somehow even that rejection can be upsetting. And these days there are just so many more ways to be rejected - by text, email, facebook, twitter, voice message and complete silence. It kind of feels as though somebody is saying "You're not the one" or "I don't like you enough to hang out with you" or "I can't be bothered to return a text message from you" it's easy to start thinking you're not good enough, likeable enough, loveable enough, funny pretty fabulous or smart enough. And it all can hurt.
Even things that aren't really rejection, but things you perceive as rejection hurt just the same. Maybe that person was busy, or forgot, or had some sort of problem that they didn't feel like being around anybody - you can still take the rejection personally and let it affect how you feel. And that's where problems arise. So many times in my life I have thought, oh you rejected me so I'll reject you so I don't get hurt more, and actually they weren't doing that at all. Always good to check it out with other people you love and respect to find out if you're just being overly sensitive. Another person has a much better perspective on these things sometimes because they're not clouded by their emotions and can see more clearly.
I think all most people want in life is connection and acceptance after all “Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection” Just to feel that people know you and like you is the greatest feeling on earth. But even Clare, who has a lot of people in her life, can suddenly feel that nobody likes her and feel rejected, and imagine everybody is somewhere having a wonderful time without her and loving it. But that's usually not true!!!! So best to stop telling yourself those horrid stories.
Of course, sometimes you may be right. Somebody may well be rejecting you from their life, and when that happens I always try and remind myself that "Rejection is God's protection" and that perhaps it's better that person isn't in my life anyways and that God is doing for me what perhaps I couldn't do for myself. I also remember that quite often in my life I have been too busy for people, too caught up in my own stuff, or couldn't be bothered to get together enough and that probably felt like a rejection to them. So the best thing to do is try and come from a place of kindness and compassion and make time for friends and then they'll make time for you too.
This week has been such fun.....Nick Candy and Neil Reading were in town and we hung out, and then this week Russell Brand was up at the house filming his new movie and making us laugh more than I thought possible. During the shooting Bentley suddenly decided that he wanted to be a movie star and walked straight into the middle and climbed on Russell and sat down on his lap. He's going to want an agent and a lawyer next.......only in Hollywood :) “I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.”