sally forth

June 28th, 2012 by Jan

The hardest part of any practice is the showing up. I think that is true for going to a job or a working on a project as well.

Of course there are days we bound out of bed with delight and enthusiasm and greet what is ahead of us full on. And for the most part we are rewarded for the effort. Maybe not right away, but soon or later doing the work, no matter what we are working on pays off.

And sometimes, we do all the work, show up, put the time and effort in and then the answer is no.

Getting no for answer can take the wind right out of our sails.

I’ve said it before – I’ll say it again, because I am the queen of repeating myself… “No” ends the conversation. Unless… no one is listening. Then “no” is the fuel to find another way.

The challenge upon hearing “no” is all about respect. I’m not talking about invading personal space or defending yourself against harm. No means no here.

I’m talking about rejection. I could talk all around it here in metaphor or I can come right out and say it.

After a couple of weeks of back and forth emails and shared information, The Betty Ford Clinic said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to including Today’s Step in their aftercare programs.

POW! – I have to say this hit me right in the face as I naively did not expect this answer.

Granted, the Betty Ford Clinic is the Grand daddy of treatment centres and would have been a great get, but it isn’t to be. So, my job today is to respect their answer, shake it off, and keep asking — other treatment centres will say yes. I just know it.

I’m grateful I know how to persevere in practice. Today, I need to transfer the skill — move on and Sally Forth!

P.S. Allyson reminded me this morning – that as martial artists, we’ve both been hit harder!

2 thoughts on “sally forth

  1. nancy

    oh, after EVERY other recover centre gets your app, the BF center will feel left out and get it too. you just struck the first note there and it sounded flat… give it time… the door isn’t necessarily shut

    Reply

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