Come on. Seeing rejection as something positive?
I thought “NO WAY!”, too….until watching this TED TALK (with over 5 million views)….by Jia Jang, who decided to study what the power of rejection was meant to teach him…. by doing his best to BE REJECTED!
I could tell you about it, but you will get the most out of it by hearing directly from him. His life story is not unlike our own…..we’ve all experienced the sting of humiliation that comes with being rejected. But how many of us have ever considered embracing rejection in order to see its blessings?
Most of us will go out of our way to avoid being rejected….I certainly have. (and do.) I’ve kept my mouth shut, not wanting to “cause a scene”, for fear of being rejected, only to start a war within. I can be so harsh with myself, rejecting my own ideas, or automatically rejecting a deeply held desire, for the very fear of looking foolish which would cause being rejected by others.
Honestly, as much as I am all about propelling positivity…..whodda thunk “rejection” could have incredible AH-HA’s that could help us understand and appreciate life more deeply.
Get cozy with a favorite beverage and a quiet spot. Then get ready to be amazed at someone who decided to make intentional rejection a project for personal illumination and indelible life lessons.
Jia Jiang ventures boldly into a territory so many of us fear...rejection. By seeking out rejection for 100 days -- from asking a stranger to borrow $100 to requesting a "burger refill" at a restaurant -- Jiang desensitized himself to the pain and shame that rejection often brings and, in the process, discovered that simply asking for what you want can open up possibilities where you expect to find dead ends.
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