Mentoring: Paying it Forward
Inland Northwest Passage: Paying it forward
Even a brief review of today’s headlines can be alarming—with good reason. Drug trafficking, escalating violence and civil wars, kids killing kids, terrorism, recession—scary issues to be sure.
These sobering world events and the fast pace in which we live, daunting for adults, can be overwhelming for our youth. As they come of age, today’s young adults will need incredible wisdom just to face everyday challenges, let alone look to the future, especially since parents are often too busy or overwhelmed themselves to help their youngsters sort things out.
When I was growing up I had two great-uncles, John and Harry, both bachelors. Often one or the other would stop by for dinner and usually, as my mom was preparing the meal, they’d call me over to the couch and we’d sit down and commiserate. Just having an adult who had the time and inclination to talk with me was exhilarating, even though I doubt we ever discussed anything terribly important.
Still, during our short talks, my two great-uncles passed on a lot of wisdom about life, principles and ideas to live, and creative ways to look at life. They also set my mind on a creative path with their stories…a road I still travel on to this day.
It’s clear to me now that they were my mentors; helping me puzzle out life, paying it forward.
Perhaps there’s a young person in your life for whom you can demonstrate, through example and communication, that there is little to fear, much to imagine about, and interesting experiences to look forward.
If not, there’s a great website that lists 20-some ways you can mentor a child and can help you make the connection. It’s called Inland Northwest Mentoring. I’ve added a link here where you can check out just one if the many opportunities to mentor through a great organization. You have so much to share. Take time to pass on your wisdom, to be an “Uncle Harry” for a youngster. Can you think of a better way to pay it forward?
Tags: forward, paying it forward, mentoring, imagination, northwest mentoring
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