If you are hungry in an orchard do you eat off the tree with nothing but some leaves, twigs and branches or do you find a tree with the best fruit to eat from? Learning and excelling in life should be treated similarly - find a mentor.
Having a "mentor" in today's society has become over-rated to 95% (or more) of the population. However, it can be guaranteed that those who have experienced and are experiencing success in life have acquired knowledge and advice from someone at some point throughout their journey. It's safe to say that 50 years ago a high majority of individuals had some form of a mentor, more so than today. Some people were a protégé to a skilful master, learning a skill or trade from that of which they called their mentor; while others were friends, family or acquaintances who were striving to learn from the more experienced neighbour they looked up to, but maybe did not officially call them a mentor. A mentor should be held in high esteem.
Today may be the day that a mentor is needed in our lives more than ever. After all, these are the times when "we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less." (Dalai Lama) A mentor has stepped through many minefields, and perhaps even lost a sacred baby-toe or two. Should we wish to keep all our toes (and other important appendages), we must actively seek a mentor. From what I have learned in my journey thus far, I highly suggest finding someone a bit older or wiser or more experienced than ourselves. That's not to say they must be all or any of these, however, strive to find someone with the "fruit on the tree" that you wish to have on your own tree (aka. in your life). We need not go out and pay someone to be our mentor, or at least we shouldn't have to. An older friend, family acquaintance or business partner should be of like mind in mentorship to want to stretch their own minds and offer their wisdom to a next generation. After all, if they don't share it what else are they going to do with it? I do not believe hibernation calls for hoarding wisdom for dumber days.... however, to each their own!
The Dalai Lama gave us the perfect reason that we all need to find a mentor. What have our lives come to when "we have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years." A mentor will be able to offer advice and wisdom in all areas of life; relationships being key, as they are the center to life in general. Perhaps for some, a mentor may start out as opening a personal development book; after all, the author did dedicate multiple years and an insurmountable volume of wisdom which they have acquired in real-life experiences and now offer to us for a measly $20. What else of this value can we actually invest $20 and get the kind of return on investment of a better relationship with our spouse, a sibling or a long-time friend; a strengthened faith; more knowledge in the business world; better finances; a healthier lifestyle; or even just the feeling of striving for the best?
Maybe mentorship will start for you with an older sibling, new found friend or respected individual in your community. Where we choose to get our mentorship is not as important as ensuring we have some form of positive mentorship. Without mentorship in life we cannot be certain of the direction we should be heading. Perhaps we have arrived at a fork in the road and really can't decide which is best for us: left or right? A mentor has the ability to see the bigger picture, including our vision and desired destination, and can offer guidance to us on our journey. A mentor also has the ability to provide invaluable wisdom, they can identify that if we veer a tad to the right we will get back on course and head to our destination much quicker and with less "mountains" to climb along the way.
Now, don't judge like I did and have your first impression be that having a mentor is just providing "the easy way out," because rest assured, there will be a multitude of courageous conversations between you and your mentor while a relationship of trust is built, as a strong foundation for the journey. After all, you will have to submit (for lack of a better word) to your mentor's vision once a trustful foundation is established and be confident in their advice, which will be hard to take at times. No one likes to have their faults pointed out, but if we are truly on a journey to living intentionally for excellence we have established there is change to be made within ourselves; and who better to identify and quicken the process than an experienced "minefield" survivor like a mentor.
Keep Dreaming,
M
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