Several months ago, I was approached by an actress to edit a movie script that she was working on. It was her first feature film. She also wanted me to come up with possible endings as well as a synopsis for the story. She was referred by another client I had written a profile for in the past. I got to work immediately.

 

I remember being pretty excited. I came up with three scripts and some synopsis for her to choose from. I was done with the project. I was glad that I delivered within the pre-agreed time frame.

 

I called to inform my client but she did not answer my calls. I thought nothing of it. I sent the documents to her by email

and expected a response. My emails were not acknowledged. She never answered my calls nor gave me a callback.

After a couple of days, I began to get really concerned; I wondered what was happening. So many thoughts filled my mind. Had I just been scammed by a known actor? Should I call her out and shame her? Should I take this as a very big mistake that should never have happened, count my losses, note my learnings, and move on.

Oh, I had so many possible scenarios play out in my mind. I thought long and hard; for days, weeks.

I felt cheated, slighted, and used. I felt really gullible, to agreeing to take on a project of this magnitude without signing appropriate contracts. All of these emotions were legitimate. I told myself so. I told myself that I had done no wrong. Then I questioned how foolish I must have been, for going against all that I ever knew to do. My experiences and previous career taught me better. I should have had at least had a simple legal document drawn up, with appropriate terms and conditions. I had questions and questions and even more questions. Lots of “Why Mes?”, and “What Ifs?”
I decided to step outside of the experience and let the healing power of time do its trick.

The storm passed. I was calm. The attending anger, pain, and all other negative emotions associated with that experience had gone. I no longer had the need to “show” her.

I learned so many lessons from that experience but, more importantly, I grew from it. I sure would have acted a lot differently in the past. Oh yeah, all hell would have let loose, and I would have been right to do so.

I am glad that I did not give in to any of the negative emotions that fuelled my anger.

Again, I was reminded that I may not be able to determine how others treat me; but I sure can control my response to any given situation.
Have you ever been cheated on or betrayed? How would you respond to being cheated? How did you respond?