I’m terrible at manifesting (or scripting as it’s called on TikTok.). That is, the concept of thinking aspirational thoughts with the idea that the positive energy will help you turn your intentions into reality. It’s not that I don’t believe in having a positive attitude – I do – but I’m incredibly superstitious. I worry that if I’m too positive the universe will smack me down for being arrogant.
My superstition doesn’t stop me from trying though. When I began my agent search, I manifested the hell out of one submission. I repeated over and over, “I am represented by XXX agency.”
XXX passed on my submission.
After I finished pouting, I realized I was going about this manifestation thing all wrong. Manifestation isn’t about making one specific thing happen. I don’t care how many times you read The Secret, you can’t will a specific agent to sign you or a publisher to buy a specific book. Manifestation (or grace or whatever you want to call it) is about recognizing the opportunities and lessons the universe provides to bring your goal to fruition.
And, sometimes rejection is part of the manifestation process. The universe has a funny way of knowing when you are ready and when you have more to learn. Business guru John Maxwell talks about a concept called Failing Forward meaning sometimes you must mess up to reach to the next run on the ladder.
Unanswered Prayers
Or perhaps what you think is a rejection is really a blessing in disguise.
A few years ago, my son was having what could only be described as a horrendous year. Nothing, and I mean nothing, went his way. There wasn’t a lot we could do but remind him that everything happens for a reason. After one particularly big disappointment, we suggested he listen to Garth Brooks’ Unanswered Prayers as a reminder that sometimes we are better off when our prayers go unanswered. We were right, by the way. A short time later, a new, better opportunity landed in our son’s lap, and he couldn’t be happier.
Interestingly, a friend of mine gave me similar advice yesterday. He’s a much bigger believer in the power of intention than I am, and after I told him about my rejection he replied, “because that agency wasn’t the right answer.” He reminded me of my word for the year – Everest – and told me to focus on scaling the peak, not on one stumble in the snow.
The bottom line to all this rambling is that I’m going to give manifesting one more try. Only this time, I’m not going focus on scoring a specific agent. I’m going to remember my larger goal, which was to achieve success in a new genre. Then, I’ll let the future unfold in whatever way it’s meant to unfold.
