I mentor children who are at risk at my grandson's school. I don't think I have ever enjoyed anything as much as I do seeing their faces each week. Even though at times they can be difficult to deal with, hard to get to quiet down, I still love doing it. I find myself making them cards each week with pictures of my pets and encouraging words to keep them motivated. They look forward to hearing stories about the animals and seeing the different pictures. These children require very little to make them happy. It can be a simple card I made, a hug or even a funny story that makes their day. But what they all need is that extra boost knowing that someone cares about how they do in school. I went to open house for one of my little boys and it was the first time anyone ever showed up for him...he was so thrilled I came and so was I.
Since summer is here now, I have been wondering who I would have wanted or who I would want as my mentor. I know that a lot of us would answer Jesus, the Great Mentor and of course that is a wonderful answer. Who better to to teach us about Peace, love and tolerance? But there have to be others. How about it...Who would you want as your mentor?
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Comments: 20
Randy D.
~The Maine Poet~
Randy...I think I learn from people in general too! It's nice to hear that others realize it as well!
I feel that I have been mentored by the wisdom of those who have come before. Christ is certainly included, but, for me, there is also Buddha, Newton, Einstein, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa and many more. They were all educated people devoted to making the world better through peace. They recognized the power of peace. Many recognized the benefits to thinking freely and opening your hearts and minds to different people and ways of thinking.
No one alive today stands out the same way to me, though I respect the actions of folks like Gavin Newsom in San Francisco and Dr. Hansen at NASA, several European leaders working for peace. On the other hand, such an incredible individual like Gandhi or King could be there, living an ordinary life until the moment arrives to shine. I hope, in some small way, I can be there for my children, be remembered as an advocate for thinking, tolerance and peace.
Gandhi, Guatama Siddhartha (Shakyamuni Buddha) and Nelson Mandela along with Rosa Parks all come to mind. Marie Curie and Goethe are up there as well as Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau. For me, however, I will definitely choose my mentor now; again and again - Soka Gakkai International President, Daisaku Ikeda. My second choice would be his mentor, Josei Toda; and third, HIS mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi.
For the ultimate mentor of all, I choose the 13th century Buddhist Priest, Nichiren Daishonin - who was the first individual to ever chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo"; on April 28, 1253.
My parents did fine as my mentors. If I had to choose others, it would be anyone like you, someone willing to give of their time, active support and creative talents. Someone who would be willing to show up for me at school functions.
A little boy was to learn his sight words. He had a concentration problem. I wasn't a teacher yet and I had no idea of what I was doing.
The word was HIGH. I told him the word over and over. I took the card and stood up and held it over his head. After many times and smiles, he repeated, HIGH.
The next day I went back and started to review. The first word was HIGH. He couldn't remember. I finally stood on a table and held the card up as high as I could, he said, "fly." The principal saw my face and said, "He's a slow learner." : }
Carol...I could tell some tales too! The first one that comes to mind was... We were reading and I was reading to a group of 4 children ages 6 to 8, 3 boys and 1 little girl. Just out of the blue this adorable little girl pops up and says "My daddy wears BIG DRAWERS!" I must say it took me several minutes to regain my composure although the children took it much better than I did.