Dealing with Disappointment

I suppose there are many different ways one can handle it, positive and negative. It may need to be measured in some form or fashion before you can choose how to deal with it. Life here on Pale Blue Dot is so full of them that it becomes second nature to either accept them and move on, or ignore them and move on. Either method can be both subjective and objective at the same time.

It’s disappointing to not be chosen for a position on the high school basketball or football team. Especially if you think you’re good enough. You wonder why it wasn’t noticed at tryouts. You watched and learned many different moves and strategies for the game, you’ve practiced and played with friends at the local park during summer. They all seemed to think you were quite good.

I wasn’t chose, but that has no effect on those that were. They might be thinking it was best for the team that I wasn’t picked. They might’ve noticed my method of handling the ball looked a little awkward, or I was just a little too slow running the 50-yard dash. Their views and opinions are completely objective to me, my opinion of myself is what should matter for being picked, right?

Perhaps. If you show that you are okay upon discovering that you weren’t picked, if you can come to grips with what is probably better for the team, if you can tell yourself “next time.” And keep believing that there will be a next time.

Life is full of choices, and I understand that sometimes not being chosen is best for the team. But handling the disappointment within is not a team effort, you are the only one that can take care of that. Just know that there’s always a next time.