When Doors Slam Shut: Handling Rejection and Betrayal, Part 1

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times.'"
                                                                                                                                                                                    Matthew18:21-22

We talked at length in the last post about how that with some of those whom you meet during your lifestyle as a flâneur, you will develop a profound admiration, affection and perhaps even love.
 
This is a good thing.
 
It is one of the most meaningful things you can do with your life, and it is one of the primary reasons for leading the life of a flâneur – so that you can meet as many such people as practicable. They will enrich and add meaning to your life. It is why Social Interaction is so important.

But there will be those who will not return your admiration or affection. At best they might be indifferent. Or they may even actively dislike you, ridicule you, or exploit your affections and maybe even play you for a fool by attempting to take advantage of you. Some may even betray your trust. Or even try to strategically harm you – in your work environment or your social or personal life for their own perceived advantage. When this happens, there will be a hurt and a bitterness unlike just about anything you’ve otherwise experienced.
 
This is one of the reasons why I placed such an emphasis on Agape love in the last post. Love selflessly. Expect nothing in return.
 
In doing so, you’re laying the emotional groundwork for dealing with the intense pain of rejection or betrayal when, (not if), it ultimately comes – without letting it ruin your life by poisoning your attitude or outlook. Because if you let that happen, you’re likely no longer to engage constructively in meaningful Social Interaction, which is so critical in my opinion to successful flânerie, and in enriching the quality of your life.

I can frankly see such rejections or betrayals coming in my own life, as sure as I am writing these words. And I am preparing for the blows when they come, because they will be devastating and profound, particularly at my age and stage of life. But whether you see it coming, or whether it catches you completely off-guard, what do you do when it happens?

We'll talk about that a bit in Part 2.

© 2016 David Nogar All Rights Reserved

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