Mentors

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor."

~~ Henry David Thoreau


For the past couple of months I have seen many examples of the importance of having a mentor and in return being a mentor. Except in the upper levels of academia, our society has lost its structure of mentorship. Lucky students have parents to guide them in an overly complex world of entering into adulthood. Even better are students who have close grandparents, a teacher, community member, church member, or older friend to advise and walk them through the steps. Without someone to support, cajole, sometimes push it can be hard to find the motivation to continue on a difficult path. Without someone to interpret, explain, advise on approaching obstacles and ways around them I don't know how a student could find success. We all need someone to believe in us. We all need someone to kindly show us an easier way. We all need someone to walk beside us on our journey. And we all need to remember to continue to be both a student and a teacher.