"Thanks, but no thanks" - OUCH

Rejection. I'm not going to lie to you. It sucks. Whether it's a asking someone out on a date and they say no, or applying for a job and getting turned down, hearing "no thanks" is gut-wrenching. Seriously, who likes to be denied? Who likes to hear the word "NO"? No one, that's who.

When you're a kid and your mom tells you "no, you can't have any candy" you whine and cry, hoping you can wear her down. When you're a little older, the parental ace in the hole is "We'll see" when asked if "we can do this or that". And any kid knows "We'll see" isn't a definite "NO". (Hey kids, here's a tip: YES IT IS. IT'S a NO disguised as a MAYBE.) Suck it up.

When you're in your teens the pain is worse when you hear NO. No you didn't make the team. Ouch. No, you aren't included in the group plans to go out somewhere. Ouch. No thanks, I'm already seeing someone. Ouch. No hurts. Make no mistake.

The only good that usually comes from the word NO is when you miss your period and you are scared to death that you may be pregnant. Are you pregnant? NO? WONDERFUL! That's the best kind of NO you can hear. Or 'No, that mole isn't cancerous". That "NO" is glorious.

But when you put yourself out there in front of people, whether it's submitting a written piece for publication, auditioning for a play, asking someone out, applying for a loan, whatever, hearing "No thanks" tears you apart a little inside. Sometimes you say to yourself: "Screw that, I'll never do THAT again. For what? Why should I even try? I'm just going to get turned down again".

As a matter of fact, I said that very thing last year. I auditioned for the Baltimore production of Listen To Your Mother. I had written a piece, edited it, polished it, edited it some more so that it fell under the 5 minute time-frame when read aloud. I practiced that piece over and over again. And when I had my audition, I thought I had nailed it. It was a humor piece and the folks for whom I auditioned laughed in all the right places. I thought I had done really well. Until I got my rejection email. "Thank you, it's just not the right fit for us right now."  My first reaction was "well, I tried, but I'll never do that again."  I sulked away, licked my wounds and moved on.

A few weeks ago, I saw that they were, once again, holding auditions for this year's Baltimore production of Listen To Your Mother and my first reaction was, "nope, not this year. One rejection was enough."

Then last week I changed my mind. "Why not?"  I thought. The first rejection stung, but you know what? I have nothing to lose. Absolutely nothing. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? So I found a previously published piece I had written, printed it out, read it out loud exactly one time. Then I headed to Baltimore for my audition.  And guess what. I MADE IT! I am going to be in the cast of this year's Baltimore production of Listen To Your Mother!! I'm so glad I swallowed my pride, put on my big girl panties and tried out.

I'm looking forward to meeting my fellow cast mates and hearing their stories, but most importantly, I want my girls to know that just because you hear the word NO, it's not NO for the rest of your life. It's just NO for that thing, that time, that event. And it doesn't mean you never try for anything ever again. Sometimes NO builds character, makes you a stronger person. NO sucks, but only for a little while. Move past it, and keep trying. I did and I am thrilled that I've made this year's cast.

This production is going to be held all over the US in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Seattle, Vancouver and a host more. THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME! And I'm so glad I tried out again. I'm glad I didn't let my pride get the better of me. My show is in Baltimore but I want to wish all the cast members across the country the best for their performances!

So the next time you get rejected for something, sulk for a bit, lick your wounds, maybe even say 'never again'. Then try again. What have you got to lose?