Finding Mentors

When I was a student at University I had an easy course load on Fridays, it consisted of a biology lab from 9-11am and that was it. While I was in a very tough program (90% failed out or didn’t complete the double degree during the 4 years it was supposed to take) I worked all through University (about 20 hrs a week) in order to remain debt free. On Fridays I baby-sat for a wonderful family from pre-school pickup (11:30) to parents getting home around 5-5:30pm.

What I loved about this family is they were not the suburbia norm that I came from. One parent was a University lecturer and the other a Dr, they both chose to work very part-time (2 days a week) in order to be home based. They made simple wholesome meals, took family vacations each year, didn’t buy stuff, valued music and learning in the home and spent their weekends playing musical instruments as a family, canoeing, hiking and just being together. While my “norm” was huge birthday parties with the whole class and loads of extra curricular activities, their norm was a few friends over for homemade fun and a couple of activities at a time.  They were knowledgeable about politics, yet not cynical, they enjoyed educational opportunities yet also knew how to have fun, they ate incredibly healthy ethically sourced meals, yet didn’t balk at the occasional sugar filled item. Their children weren’t raised on Disney or barbies, but were fascinating by national geographic, making things, planting and gardening. They were incredibly different to me and yet in an odd way, we’ve become so similar.

I was recently able to spend a day with this wonderful family. The children were filled with stories of “remember when”, we laughed until our bellies ached and they thanked me for being such an important part of their life; they so rarely had any help due to their commitment not to be outside of the home and yet felt I was a gift for the time in which they couldn’t be home. I don’t think I was quite able to articulate to them what a gift they were to me, how much they broadened my mind, made me think, showed me there are other options.

Spending a day with three now definitely growing up children was a joy, it was peaceful, calm and homelike. Their was a wholeness in their interactions, a spring in their step, an understanding even at this young age of who they were and who they want to be. As we shared a meal I looked around the room and saw an incredible blessing and peace in living motion.

When I think about it, however big or small, we all have mentors around us. People who encourage us, show us another side and even if they don’t realize it, they leave a lasting mark!

May your life be filled with those who motivate and inspire