Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy
Thought for the Week
Five years ago today, I met the future. His name was Jaylen. He and I had been matched as mentee and mentor by a local social service organization. How did I feel? Excited. And nervous. Not just because of the pandemic (we wore masks, grabbed take-out food, walked in parks). True, I’d taught, lectured, and tutored many times. But this was a long-term commitment. Jay had just finished middle school. And now he’s starting his second year of college.
We still meet, albeit sporadically, to put our heads together. I’m in it for the long haul, but the decisions are his. And I’m increasingly proud of the decisions he makes. He’s a picture of the future that gives me hope. My wife has had a mentee for even longer than I have. A young girl whose personal growth perpetually delights us and her family.
We’re all teachers. We all impact others’ lives, whether formal students, newlywed neighbors, “first-real-job” coworkers, or Gen-Z pickleball partners. All of us have a responsibility to care for the next generation. To help them choose their direction…
And then let the arrow fly:
“You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrow may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.”
~Khalil Gibran
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poem – artful imagery
It is indeed, Carl.
We each have a depth that drives us to excel. Our dreams were not the dreams of those that came before us, nor were theirs of their previous generations. But, I think ours are catapulted from those before us.
Blessings Mitch
Very true, Pete.
I couldn’t agree more that we’re all teachers in one way or another as we go about our daily lives.
Nice!
That sounds like a wonderful program. The two mentees are blessed to have you and Trudy as mentors- and it sounds like you’re both blessed as well! 😁
We are, Nancy.
Amen. What a rewarding way to use your time, Mitch. I sincerely wish that many others will be inspired by you (and other mentors) to take up the mantle. You know in this day and age there is a lot of focus in the media on what ppl do to tear each other down, not so much on the quiet work to uplift which is being done by so many…
Thank you, and I agree, Chris.
Awesome
I’m glad you are still in touch with your mentees.
Same here, I’m still in touch with my mentor. We meet sometimes for coffee or lunch.
That’s great, Iman.
The mentor/mentee relationship is often a failure. Glad you were able to make it work!! Sounds like a success then and now and into the future!!
Thank you, Val!
Great job. Love the quote 🤣😎🙃
Thanks, Mr. Ohh.
Thank you, Mitch, for spotlighting one of the loveliest relationships we folks of a certain age can forge. He is a fortunate mentee, and your gratitude is an example of living well, as well. Thank you for the reminder, too, that we are all modeling behavior and mentoring others by our casual examples. Blessings to you all. Lisa
Likewise, Lisa, and thank you.
I don’t want to be a teacher but it has been thrust upon me. It is a heavy weight to carry.
Love this, so true, Mitch!
Hi Mitch, thank you for this excellent post!
My pleasure, Anonymous friend.