Take the limits off yourself

On a spring evening some years ago, Nora Profit decided to attend a musical concert where Salome Bey was performing. Even though, half the seats were empty, the moment was exciting as the singers voice filled the room and brought the theater to life. Nora profit was so moved by Salome’s performance, yet disappointed about the sparse audience, she therefore decided to write an article to help promote her.

The next day, Nora phoned the theater where the singer Salome bey was appearing, acting like a professional said “may I speak with Salome Bey please” from the other end came the reply: “Hello, this is Salome” Nora Profit replied “I am writing an article for essence magazine, spotlighting your singing achievements. Is it possible for us to meet so that we might talk about your career? It suddenly occurred to Nora that she had never written before.

As a matter of fact, no one in essence magazine knows her. She became terribly afraid. She eventually met with Salome Bey, conducted the interview and when the article was ready, she sent it to Essence magazine. Three weeks later, a reply came from the editor of essence magazine. Out of fear that the article had been rejected, Nora refused to open the envelope.

Hear what she said: “how could I ever thought that I could compete in a world of professional writers who make their living writing? How stupid of me?” knowing she couldn’t face the rejection letter with all the reasons why her manuscript was rejected, she threw the unopened envelope closet and promptly forgot about it concluding that the whole ordeal was a bad experience.

Five years letter while cleaning out her apartment preparing to move to another state to take a job in sales, Nora came across an unopened envelope to her in her own handwriting, she quickly opened the envelope the envelope and read the editor’s letter in disbelief;

“Dear ms Profit,

Your story on Salome Bey is fantastic. We need some additional quotes. Please add those and return the article immediately. We would like to publish your story in the next issue. Wao!

Nora was shocked. It took her a long time to recover. The fear of rejection had cost her a great deal. She lost a lot of money and having her article appeared in a major magazine. The fear of rejection also cost her years of enjoyable and productive writing.

Though she began a faithful career in writing after the incident, she lost over7 years of productive use of her gifts. Now, this is her summary of the whole experience; “You can’t afford to doubt yourself.

Dear reader, if you don’t believe in what God has deposited in you, no one can believe in you.

As from today, start to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Stop doubting yourself. Stop allowing fear to take control of you.

It is a new day for you.

Stay confident.

Tunde Afe