Rejection like the Beatles, Einstein, and Frank Baum.

A quick basic question: Do you believe in yourself?  Do you believe in your dreams?  Do you have the internal tenacity it takes to face rejection and pain - but keep walking?

I’ve said it before - following life passion and walking the path of happiness is not always easy.  On the journey of finding our passion, there is significant rejection, sometimes constant pain, and unbelievable heartbreak.  There’s no doubt why so many people give up on their dreams, passion, or finding life happiness ... The journey is difficult!

I’ve always admired famous people who exhibit internal tenacity.  Those people that don’t give up on themselves even when they are rejected time and time again.  Let’s start with The Beatles. They were rejected by 8 labels before being signed.  People just kept saying that no one would ever catch on to their sound ... Imagine if they would have listened!  No Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, no Let It Be, and no I Am The Walrus!  

Another example is Einstein.  He dropped out of school in the 8th grade and was told that he wasn’t smart enough to finish school - let alone ever make anything of himself.  Again, imagine what modern science would be like without Einstein.  What if he would have listened?

Lastly, a story that keeps me motivated is the biography of L. Frank Baum - the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  His story is full of horrible set backs that could have ruined his spirit.  Before he became an author, he was kicked out of military school for not being athletic enough, had two failed businesses, and was an editor for a newspaper that failed.  

Frank Baum could have taken all of those failures and decided that he would never be able to succeed or have any financial stability for himself or his family.  However, when his mother in law gave him the advice and urged him to start writing down the lavish and bold stories he told his children, Mr. Baum finally found his success ... And The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was born.

What would have happened if he would have listened to all of the failures?  What if he would have turned around and told his mother in law that he would never find happiness or success?

The Beatles, Einstein, and L. Frank Baum show us that even though there is a world full of people telling you that you’re not good enough, listening to the critics is nothing but damaging - and we need to press on. 

Internal tenacity means having the strength to believe in yourself and in the life you want to live. The road of happiness for so many successful people is full of nothing but failures and sacrifices until they reach that point of success.  

The message today boils down to this: 

Don’t ever expect that following a dream will be easy.  But don’t ever doubt that it is worth it.

You can do it!

To the road of happiness,

Michelle