Today I volunteer for mentoring someone.
Yes, it does sound a little bit presumptuous doesn’t it? What a declaration of self-confidence that I think I’m fit enough to mentor someone! Who would want me for a mentor?
And that is a good question.
Mentoring is a humbling relationship. We are reminded that although we possess more knowledge or experience than the one(s) we mentor, we are not to be carried away by our position for none of us are truly good enough for this position.
I recognize my imperfections, and also acknowledge that mentoring is a privilege and an awesome responsibility. This little extract from Mentor sums it up nicely:-
A mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provides a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there. A mentor is not a foster parent, therapist, parole officer, or cool peer.
Sometimes though, we limit mentoring to youth in schools.
I invite you, if you are considering mentoring, to think of youth in our workplaces, young men and young women in business, youth in our churches and communities who dropped out of the formal education system for one reason or another and so are not attending school. They need mentors too.
It doesn’t matter if you already have a mentee, you may volunteer to assist another young person or improve the relationship you have with the ones you now have.
And as you volunteer, remember that someone is modelling their lives after yours. How constructive is the example you now set?
Until,
Marvia
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