Dealing with Disappointment

I remember reading in C.S. Lewis’s The Last Battle, “Be careful what you wish for, for you may very well get it.” There have been some opportunities where I would have liked to have had that choice – to accept or reject what I had wished for. But that’s not happened in several instances very close to my heart. I’ve been rejected instead, and all that I have to offer.

I’m left wondering and pondering many facets of the situation. What’s left, though is, how have I dealt with a great disappointment? Sometimes I have dealt with it better than others. I’m often depressed for a while (thank God for good meds), and I have to search for what I think is the “reason,” and more importantly, look for the good in the situation. It’s not easy.

I found myself wanting to throw things this afternoon – I had a glass baking dish in my hands and I felt the urge to throw it on the concrete steps I was descending. What would that have proven? I would have made a mess for me or someone else to clean up, endangered others, and had to buy a replacement baking dish. And the disppointment would remain, regardless of the dish being broken or remaining whole.

And since I didn’t get to make the choice and I didn’t get what I wished for, I trudge on. I remain frustrated with situations beyond my control—situations in which I change what I can that I have control of, and try to let go. After all, if one continues to hit one’s head against a brick wall, the wall doesn’t move.

It would be easy to say angry words, but words cannot be taken away once said. It would be easy to hold a grudge, or destroy material things. But none of these change a situation, soothe the hurt, or ease the sting of rejection. It would also be easy to drown one’s sorrows in alcohol, but the situation doesn't change once the buzz wears off.

Trudge on. I have to hold on to the idea that all things work out for the best in the end. If not, then I have an even greater disappointment to face.

Comments

[Rustee]

Here's to being and acting like a grown-up. It's not always as fun as I thought it would be...

[squigs]

You are a true inspiration. .

[Carl V.]

So sorry to hear about this though I know all the Tarts were not ready to have you pack up and go. Not getting a job, promotion, etc. can be a very disheartening thing but I'm glad you're handling it well. I probably would've broke something anyway despite the futility of it all.

"trudge on"...reminds me of Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) in A Knight's Tale.