Being a mentor gives me the opportunity to form a lasting bond with people who have a dream. If it’s a dream that I can relate to or have the ability to help teach. Then I am happy to teach. If it is someone who seems lost and can’t figure out how to move forward in their lives, then I encourage them to boldly go out and do what they had no faith in before. It is like watching a bright new star, to see an individual reach their plateau of success.
I jump at the opportunity to listen to them and stand in the gap for them through prayer and the sharing of knowledge.
Sometimes I have to accept the fact that everybody that I mentor might go away and never acknowledge that they ever knew me, when they begin to live in their new world of success.
As a mentor, I don’t seek recognition from those who would like to leave the past behind them, as I realize that to some, a mentor simply reminds them where they came from.
As a mentor, you must know your place. It is a place that should keep you grounded. Have a great ear to listen, to comprehend and to dispense words of wisdom.
You must recognize when you’re casting a net to someone who has no desire to show appreciation for your knowledge. In that case, you must turn your back and walk away gracefully.
Your knowledge isn’t for everyone and it’s difficult sometimes to know when you’re being used. When you realize it, you have to be cautious and bold in stepping out of that person’s life and never look back. As I’ve learned this to be true, “A leopard doesn’t change its spots”.
Some mentors never get to hear the praise of the people that they’ve helped along the way. Some get to hear the praise on their death beds. Some get to hear the praise as elders, as people gather together to share their amazing success stories. Some get to hear praise in songs, poems and have books written about them.
As for me it’s in my soul to love, to respect another man or woman’s great work. I love watching them walk up to get their badges of honor. I love giving them a call and say, “I am just calling you to give you a few words of encouragement”. I don’t mind the servant role. It is not for everyone to serve others, but I do it from the deepest depths of my heart. A servants heart.
Tahiera Monique Brown
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