Jay-Z Wants You To Keep Dreaming

There’s a lesson in rejection if we’re open

“Something ‘bout the struggle so divine

This sort of love is hard to define

When you scratching for every nickel and dime

Got me itching to do this shit for my mom

Do this shit for my town

Leave the door open hoping they kick it down” — Jay-Z, “Nickel and Dimes”

Waddup! Joel Leon here with another edition of my weekly Medium column, “What Would Hov Do?” Together, we tackle your everyday struggles with the help of Hovito’s lyrics. If you’ve got something you’ve been dealing with, me and Jay-Z can help you get through. Just drop your questions here. We keep it a hunnid (and anonymous.)

This week, one of our readers — let’s call them “The Dreamer” — has a serious question about how to move after rejection:

“I’m trying to find hope and faith in my dream after constant rejection, minimal progress, and busting my ass to get to this point.”

Listen, I’ve been there. If I’m completely honest, I’m still there.

I can go through the list of “Sorry to inform you” rejection letters I’ve gotten from fellowship, grant, scholarship, job, and publication submissions. I can also…