MARY's Story : Mastering the Art of Raising AGAIN & AGAIN

In a cheerful little town, there lived a girl named Mary. Mary loved to paint pictures filled with colours that danced like butterflies in her heart. Ever since she was a little girl, painting had been her happy place—a special language where every brushstroke whispered her dreams. She imagined a future where her art would hang in big galleries, shining like stars, casting their glow on the world, and where people would admire her work, lost in the stories woven into each canvas.

After many years of dedication, Mary decided to share her art with the world. Her heart raced like a roller coaster, its beats echoing in her chest as she sent her paintings to a famous gallery. That night, she painted with all her energy, a storm of colors swirling on the canvas, believing this was her moment to shine like the sun breaking through a cloudy sky.

But then, a letter arrived that shattered her dreams like a fragile glass ornament dropped on the floor. “We’re sorry, but we have chosen different artists.” Rejection. The word struck her like a lightning bolt, leaving her mind buzzing with disbelief. The echoes of the letter reverberated in her mind like a sad song, cutting deep into her heart. The vibrant colors of her world faded into a dull gray, and doubt crept in like a sneaky thief in the night. “Am I not good enough? Will I ever be the artist I want to be?” she wondered, her spirit heavy as a stone sinking in water.

Days passed, and Mary felt lost, adrift like a ship floating in a foggy sea. She wandered aimlessly through the park, searching for a glimmer of hope, like a tiny spark in the dark. One day, she sat on a weathered old bench, feeling the weight of her heart. It was there that she met an elderly artist. He had a canvas with him, and his eyes sparkled with the wisdom of ages, like stars in the night sky. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” he asked, his voice gentle as a soft breeze rustling through the trees.

Mary sighed, feeling heavy like a raincloud that could no longer hold its tears. She shared her story—the rejection that had stolen her confidence and left her feeling empty. The old artist listened carefully, his eyes holding onto her words like precious gems. When she finished, he spoke with kindness, his words as steady as the sea after a storm. Ahhh ...

“I’ve faced rejection many times. Each ‘no’ was like a small stone thrown into my ocean of dreams, creating ripples that taught me something new. Art isn’t about what others think; it’s about sharing what’s in your heart. Your worth isn’t defined by others. It’s in the colors you create and the emotions you stir. Let your art reflect your soul, unfettered and true.”

He handed her a small, empty canvas. “Take this. Paint without fear. Let your heart be the compass.”

Mary felt a spark ignite inside her, like a bird stretching its wings for the first time, ready to soar. The sting of rejection still stung, but now, it felt like fuel for her fire. She rushed home to paint—not for others, but for herself. She poured out her pain on the canvas, but also the strength rising within her, like a phoenix emerging from the ashes.

Days turned into weeks, and Mary's art flowed freely like a river bursting its banks—alive, wild, and powerful. She invited her friends and even those who had once doubted her to a small exhibition in her town. As they admired her paintings, she discovered something profound:

 this wasn’t about validation;

 it was about sharing her truth, her essence, her beautiful spirit.

In that moment, she realized that rejection wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of something great. Every “no” had closed a door but opened another path, one that led her closer to the artist she was meant to become.

Her paintings no longer searched for validation. They sought only to be felt, to be understood. And in that feeling, Mary found her joy—like a sunbeam breaking through the clouds, warming the earth after a long, cold night.

Moral:

Rejection isn't a reflection of your worth; it’s a chance to grow. Embrace your journey, express yourself freely, and rise again with strength and joy!

Reflections :

1) What do you think Mary's journey teaches us about the role of rejection in our lives?

2) Do you believe that rejection always has to be painful, or can it sometimes be a stepping stone to something greater?