Feedback Thoughts and Strategies

Source: pixabay

Why rejection hurts so bad- and what to do about it

     What I found the most interesting and helpful about this article was when they discussed how to cope with rejection. They said how rejection feels like an attack on your self-worth and so you must do something to bolster your sense of worth. They suggest social interaction, a reminder that while some may reject you, others are there for you.
     About a week ago, I found out that I didn't get into a program I was really hoping I would at least be a semi-finalist for. I had worked so incredibly hard on the application for months and truly felt it expressed who I am and my accomplishments. So when I wasn't selected, it felt far more personal of a rejection than other rejections I have received. I was planning on just crying in my room by myself, but then my friend who lives in Philadelphia insisted on calling and telling me over the phone the things he thinks are great about me. then we talked for hours and the blow I had received from that rejection was far less than it had seemed before. Talking to friends and family who support you and know your strengths always help, if not completely, than a lot.


How to Craft Constructive Feedback

     I thought that this was a great guide for giving feedback that is both supportive and will still be clear to allow the author to truly improve the writing. The describe component is particularly important. That way if they don't agree with the suggested revision, they know the problem and can work from there.

Week 3 Story: The King's Sandals

Isabella entered the king's chambers. She had traveled hundreds of miles from her farm, but it was necessary to save her village. they were starving from the famine, and the king had sent no help as she had requested in her letter. She had to look him in the eyes and let him know he couldn't let his people starve without consequences.

She had waited in line for hours, and now it was finally her turn! But when she looked at the throne, a man stood beside. No one was seated on the throne, only a pair of sandals.

"Hello, I am Jerald, the king's right-hand man. How can the king help you?"

"Excuse me, but is the king unwell? Where is he?"

"As you come from the such a small town from the south, perhaps you have not heard of the king's traveled. Before he took the crown, he wanted to enjoy life for a bit. So he left to explore the surrounding nations."

"How long has he been gone?"

"Ten years. But as you can see from his pair of sandals which guard his throne and lead his nation night and day, he is still a strong leader."

Perhaps this is how other countries are run? Isabella thought. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking this is weird? I should just tell him my problem and get the help we need.

"You mean to tell me that while my village is starving, the king is ON VACATION?!?"

"Miss, just tell me your problem and I will help. With the guidance of the king, of course."

"What guidance? What king? It's a pair of sandals!" Enraged, Isabella left the chambers.



Leroy,

Gold Sandals Source: Wikimedia

I regret to inform you that after ten years of royal bliss, you have lost your kingdom. It appears a woman was not happy to discover your sandals had been symbolically leading the nation all this time. She informed large mobs of your whereabouts and united them to take the castle. If you would like your sandals back, you can find the hanging from the gallows.
All hail Queen Isabella!

Jerald

Author's Note: In the original story, the fact that the king is away while ruling symbolically by his sandals is brushed over as completely acceptable. It never says how the people themselves would have felt about this arrangement. I imagined they would be pretty upset and so here is what I think would actually happen!

Ramayana. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part B

Sandals Source: Wikimedia

• Rama will not come back to rule the land. 
• His eldest brother returns to rule
• He takes Rama's sandals which sit on the throne as a symbol of Rama's authority
• Rama goes off into the forest with his wife

Were the people ok with having a pair of sandals be their ruler?

What would this look like today?

What if he had a bad reason for not returning, would people be less willing to allow him to rule via sandals?

Ramayana. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).

Reading Note: Ramayana, Part A

Vishwamitra Source: Wikimedia

• Rama must defeat a female warrior (doesn't want to fight a woman but must)
• After he defeats her, he receive celestial weapons
• After taking people back to his shelter, a band of rakshasas attack an alter. 
• celestial weapons appear when he thinks of them and he drives them away

The sages are Rama's biggest fan at this moment. They provide him with weapons and a shelter. I wonder what would have happened if they had helped him defeat her.  I also didn't understand why they wanted her killed. 

Ramayana. Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913).