This is a little story about serendipity.
Months ago, a friend emailed me with details on an upcoming project being run by one of Canada's largest companies. The company sought proposals for events to be run during Black History Month 2014, and would grant funding to the successful applicants. "Get on it," my friend wrote. "You don't have much time, but I'm sure you'll come up something dope!"
I had exactly 1.5 days to conceptualize an idea, come up with a funding proposal, and complete the specifics of the registration, but I thought to myself, "Shoot - I work well under pressure!" I took a day off of work, holed myself up in a downtown workspace to get through the process, and got to it.
Luckily for me, I already had an event idea bubbling in my mind. Even luckier, I had a bit of experience with submitting funding proposals. I was still somewhat stumped at certain points in the registration process, and the hours seemed to taunt me by speeding up faster and faster as I worked. The butterflies in my tummy weren't quelled until I did my last proof-read, said a prayer, kissed my fingers and touched them to the computer screen - then hit SEND. In the months that followed it seemed like my proposal made it through various checks and balances, so I waited with bated breath for the day that the final acceptance or rejection notice would be sent.
Finally, the day came. I checked my email like a fiend, alternating between refreshing my inbox incessantly and logging out completely in attempts to not lose my mind. I checked back in one last time, and there it was: THE EMAIL. I said another prayer, opened it up...and read my rejection letter. For one reason or another, my proposal didn't make the cut, and I won't lie - I was crushed.
I wish I could say that I didn't take no for an answer and convinced the company to accept my proposal, or that I was motivated to push forward with my event idea anyways. I did neither. I allowed myself a moment to sulk, then simply moved on with life.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.
Long story short, I was contacted by two different parties who were indirectly associated with the same project I had applied to. They both requested my services in various ways, and after some back and forth and careful consideration, I agreed to work with both. Talking to HomieLuva about the turn of events, I realized something. It's likely that if all current circumstances in my life were the same and I was approved for the project, it may have been WAY too much for me to manage. Considering all circumstances in my life now, taking on these two projects and still being affiliated with the project is a much better look. There are benefits in place now that wouldn't have been there had my project been approved - and it took me being rejected then being given these opportunities to see that.
Moral of the story? Quite simply, sometimes things just work themselves out. I admittedly did nothing after receiving my rejection letter, which isn't really my modus operandi. Normally, I would have been driven to make my dreams become a reality, but this time I kind of felt like I had to take my lumps, get comfy with the feeling of rejection, and move on to something different. For whatever reason, life decided to bring this opportunity back around, albeit dressed in a new outfit - and I surely jumped at it. Just a reminder that sometimes we're not ready for things or things aren't ready for us - however, once the stars align, we may be gifted with another chance to receive what we hoped for in the first place. I'm grateful to whoever/whatever it was that looked out for me and said "Babygirl, you won't want THAT. Give me a minute and I'll give you something even better." All I can say is thank you, and now I'm ready to put my best foot forward and make the most of what's been given to me. I'm glad it all worked out.