Gotta be in it to win it

I like that trite little lottery tag line Gotta Be In It to Win It .  It couples nicely with another useful point that showing up is half the challenge.

We recently experienced this as my son was invited to try out for a select travel lacrosse team.  He was dragging his feet because he felt he would never make it and when we saw the 150 kids at the try out, we kind of thought he was right.  But so what, if you don't try you cannot possible win.  And frankly the kid could use a little humility :-).  We found out he made the team and he is thrilled.  Nice lesson taught!

Same is true for me, but the outcome is different.  It seems it is harder as you get older to put yourself out there for scrutiny.  My son was afraid that he wouldn't make the team so he didn't want the perceived embarrassment or the confrontation of a weak skill set.  As a parent, it was easy for me to say so what as long as you try.  But for myself, I have a harder time.

I recently submitted a flash fiction piece for a contest.  I lost. Additionally, I submitted my resume for a potential job ( i know i know again I am feeling inconsequential).  Doesn't look like I will get the position.  Shouldn't the rejection get easier?  It doesn't and it takes more and more effort to keep trying.  I guess the earlier you develop coping skills the better off you will be.

So my coping skills with my recent failures will be called upon today.  Will go to spinning class because I know I can get through that.  Will probably try a new recipe because I know I can do that.  Will write an article to prove to myself I have some value.  Will work on that marketing document for my not-for-profit because it is important.

Will probably also eat a bag of oreos and mope.