Disappointment

I was going to write a review on one of my favorite films, but I just received disappointing news so let’s talk about it. Disappointment is definitely one of those things that all of us experience, but hardly ever talk about. Whether its cancelled plans or rejection letters, we all have been there. In that place of disappointment, which then turns into anger and then words we never meant to say. Yesterday I received an email from one of my top graduate schools. In short, it said I didn’t get in and in the grand scheme of things, it really isn’t a big deal. Life goes on, more applications will be completed, inevitably more letters will be sent with good news or bad, but I was still disappointed. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling a bit like George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The scene where he’s crying to the heavens saying that he’s at the end of his rope, you know the one. Have you ever felt like this before? Like everything seems to be going wrong instead of right and there’s a perpetual dark cloud above you? It seems dramatic to say because there’s always someone that has it worse than you and you should be content with what you have and eat whats on your plate because someone somewhere is wishing they had your meal. As constructive as that is, it’s not helpful. Can I just complain about things without being provided with solutions? The answer is yes. You absolutely can. It is ok to feel like there is a dark cloud above you and that everything never seems to be going right and that the world is coming to an end. However, you must understand and realize that there isn’t a dark cloud following you, and the world is in fact continuing to rotate around the sun in spite of you having a particularly bad day. I do think, however, that disappointment sucks. It’s the worst. Someday I hope that all of this effort and hard work and dedication will be worth it and that someone somewhere will give you the opportunities that you deserve. But until then, know that God or the universe or whatever it is that you believe in is not working against you. Sometimes you will be disappointed, but like every other emotion, it will pass. All we can do as people or creatives is to keep going. I know it’s hard. Especially when all the news you seem to get is bad or disappointing. The best thing you can do is continue. Never quit. You never want to live with regret. So apply for that job, go on that date, ask that person out or tell them you love them, just do the damn thing. Disappointment will come, that’s inevitable, but don’t keep yourself from trying in fear of rejection. Someday all this pain, struggle, disappointment, and discouragement will be worth it. It has to, right?