I guess I am a real writer now folks.

My eyes sprung open today at 4:59am and I reached for my phone (because of course I would) and what did I see?  Well, I saw my first “Thanks but, no thanks” message.

I must say, I think I took it rather well.  I turned to my darling husband, Random, and said, “I got my first rejection letter.”  He responded, “Congratulations!” and left for work.

I got up and prepared for my day in the normal course, wrote on the bus and train, and when I got to the office I saw Professor K and asked him to come to my desk for a moment.

With a smile, I said “I’m a real writer.”  He looked at me expectantly and I revealed to him the content of the email.  He gave me a smile and said, “Yes, you are.”

We parted ways and went off to engage in our respective 9 to 5 duties.  I must admit that for some strange reason, I had a bit of a bounce in my step.  It felt odd to be okay with it, but I was.  And that felt good.

I am sure that it will not always feel this way, but today, it felt a little like I was given a test and I passed.

I read somewhere that “rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success”.  I liked the sound of it then, and I certainly like the sound of it now.  It’s much less scary when it is framed in that light.

A friend of mine suggested that the way I deal with the first rejection will set the tone for my attitude going forward and the dedication to the work to come.  She’s pretty smart, so I am going to trust her.

So, when I booted up my laptop on the commute home this evening I did so with the same amount of resolve and dedication I had yesterday and the days prior.  There was no hesitation.  No fear.  No second guessing.  And it felt great.

Which leads me to this conclusion.  I guess rejection isn’t so bad.  (Deep, I know)

Here’s to dream chasing; to the successes and the pitfalls that allow us to appreciate them when they come.