There's not always room for everyone.

If we all want to produce good work (artists) and we want to show good work (curators, etc), we have to trim and reduce. I personally think we can feel it when our works don't fit with others' vying for the same (limited) wall space. 
Or when we absolutely want to work with certain individuals, but in our hearts know that it's just not a good fit. And personally, these are all opportunities to learn to trust ourselves.

We are creators, we put in the work, do the work, make the works. It takes all of our essence/person to do it. (and people around us who support us with purchasing work, admiring work, selling our works, sharing our works).

So just like certain plants need different soils, we, too, need different growing environments.

Maybe my peace plant could survive in a darker room, but it won't thrive.  Maybe my mother-in-law plant does just fine where the peace lilly withers.

My basil loves shade. My lavender are sunshine seeking beings.

It's hard to remember this when rejection letters arrive at our doorstep... but in the case of today's rejection letter, I knew my works didn't fit with the vibes of others' works in those rooms... it wasn't a vibrational match** (AT THAT MOMENT). But those moments change. Are always changing.

AND we never say, "BAD sunflower!" (judging negatively) for needing what they need to thrive.

So, I thank the experience for showing me in the material world what I'd already "gisted" and meditate on whether it is worth it to apply for places anyhow, or if we hold back and conserve our energies* for where we really feel called to be.***

Sending all many blessings upon the journey.

JR



*(time, muscle, strength) if none of you have applied for art exhibitions that require the artworks to be brought to the location for the judges, it is a bit of a mighty endeavor, especially when works are quite big and heavy.  There are usually stairs, lots and lots of stairs in Europe.  :)

**a physics friend says that couples who really get along, have a great relationship, they, literally, are on the same brain waves and this can be measured.

***and there is always room for surprise.  Maybe we thought it wasn't a good fit, but felt called to apply anyhow and surprise, surprise, get into a venue that is more fitting basically because we applied to the first that didn't accept us. Or maybe the first does accept us even though we'd thought it too much of a "leap."  So many possibilities! Amazing life.