Life can be a treacherous journey that even the toughest people have trouble making it through. No one, not even the greatest superheros can get through it alone. We all need some sort of mentor. Someone like Mr. Miyagi was to Karate Kid and Athena was to Odysseus. I am no different, a mentor’s job is to lead and guide you through whatever life throws your way. My mentor has done that and much more. Normally it seems most mentors either come from different ethnicities or cultural backgrounds but, not in this case. Me and my mentor share a ton of the same characteristics and traits.
Although he is older and much more wiser, we are still close enough in age to experience and enjoy some of the same cultural activities. One of them being checking out a live concert with a large list of classic songwriters on the docket. We are also both African American males and handsome enough to be tempted from time to time. I soon hope to be able to walk in his shoes and simply see life from a more broad perspective. My mentor has been around for a while, long enough to know when I’m doing something full board or half-assing.
Seeing my grades slip or my play on the field diminish a little always reminds me of the time he jumped on me. It was during the school year of 2014. My grades had been slipping and I was hanging with the wrong crowd. I knew that I had been slacking but didn’t realize how quickly it would catch up to me. He told me several times nicely, “get it together, the choices you make now will affect your future. ” I didn’t listen. Instead I shied away from help and neglected the love and comfort from someone who truly cared about me and my future.
Finally he seen that his message was still not getting through. That I was still not getting it and after a long day of school it happened. I remember getting out the car and the chill wind hitting me smack dead in the face. There were leaves on the ground that seemed to be rusting away. Before I knew it | found myself on the ground alongside these leaves. He had snatch me up agressivley and unexpectantly, I could see the intensity in his face. “What’s going on ? ” So stunned a laid there and said nothing. “You have to much going for yourself to just start settling. My eyes glazed but a tear would not fall. “I won’t let you give up. ” It was then that I realized how much he truly wanted to see me be great. I told him “I’ll step it up. ” This was our last conversation we had or needed of this sort.
To date my mentor is pursuing a business career. Something | am interested in doing as well. It has been easy for us to connect over the years because we are extremely like minded, and have the same common goal of wanting success. He would tell me all the time that, “life is unique and most people miss their one opportunity really live. It took me awhile to understand the meaning of this but as I got older I took this as him telling me to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. I feel this has been the key to all my success As for me life is becoming less stressful at a time where it is most demanding. Knowing what my mentor has taught me put me in this position. It was become easy for me to make it past difficult situations.
Another piece of information he has shared is, “As human we all must live and learn, but when we have the chance to learn from others mistake, we must take advantage of it. This has help me avoid a ton of my own mistakes. I tell my little brother this same thing time after time. “Learn from me. Watch my mistakes so you won’t have to make the same ones. ” Already at a young age he has a great understanding of his situation and what kind of obstacles he will have to overcome. This is one benefit you get from having a mentor. I have no doubt that my little brother will be successful. I could never be grateful enough for the impact my mentor has put on my life. Through my ups and shallow down he has been there, no matter what!
My love for my mentor will be as strong as a steel beam until the day we diminish, with no bend or break in our relationship. When nothing seems to be going right I always think back to what he has taught me. To stay strong, positive, and humble in every situation. Looking up to someone doesnt make you a follower. It makes you wiser, especially when there situation can relate to yours. Every human being can benefit from having a mentor being able to get an insight on life and letting you know what it truly means to live. I recommend everyone have some sort of mentor. Life isn’t always easy.
