Thursday, June 16, 2011

Reflections on Mentoring

by Jan Shoop
Today’s reflection is on the word Mentor.
A mentor is a special kind of volunteer. Someone who not only gives of their time volunteering, but also guides a young person to become stronger, more focused and motivated. Mentors are people who care about others; they can be friends, priests, parents, or grandparents.

“Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push.
A smile. A word of optimism and hope.
A ‘you can do it’ when things are tough.”
Richard M. De Vos

What does it mean to mentor a child?
1.      Be real. Kids see through fake and phony people instantly.
2.      Be honest. Kids need to learn about honesty first hand.
3.      Be open. Share your experiences and opinions.
4.      Be reliable. If you say, you are going to mentor a child, show up.
5.      Be kind. Any child that you mentor needs the help and guidance of someone with a kind heart.
“Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on.”
Henry Burton

Want to Learn More About Mentoring?
5.      Who Mentored You?

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Gandhi
Have you had a mentor make a difference in your life?
Please share your thoughts in our comments section.

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll enjoy: Reflections on Empowerment