Be a Life Changer

My Uncle Dick died a couple of weeks ago at 80 something. He was a teacher and he talked with me often about my career and experiences from college days through retirement. I enjoyed those conversations, but it wasn’t until I was well into my career that I realized the scope of his mentorship to me. When I look back on life, he mentored me not only in my teaching career, but in my faith walk, what prayer meant and parenting, too. He was a gentle presence imparting wisdom through his genuine interest in me, his humor and his willingness to witness. He was a personal mentor to me, but to so many others just by being himself - a beloved teacher, Bible study leader, friend, father and grandpa. He will be missed, but his legacy and the growth he brought to many will continue to shape the world.

What is a mentor? According to the dictionary, a mentor provides influence, guidance, motivation, emotional support and role modeling on both personal and professional levels.

Around the same time as my uncle's death, my 32 year old son experienced the death of a 29 year old friend. Reading the tributes on social media let us see that even at his young age, he mentored many. He provided exactly what the dictionary describes to his friends, the Taiwanese students he taught, the campers he was a counselor for and the many other lives he touched. His spirit moved people.

This time to reflect on these two special people has made me realize that we all have the ability and, dare I say, responsibility to mentor others. Do we really grasp the impact we can have? Do we take the time? Seize the opportunities or even just SEE the opportunities? Mentorship starts with a willingness to show genuine interest in

another. It is about taking time to share your story, ask questions that help others think about their own circumstances, beliefs and skills in new ways. It isn’t about preaching or directing or only about careers. Actually it is pretty simple. It starts with conversation and showing interest beyond the fluff. It starts with kindness. It's about sharing life experiences.

Start with the influencers in your life. Think a bit about what drew you to them, what they shared with you and how. Then intentionally share your authentic self with those around you. Perhaps it is taking interest in someone who is new or younger or struggling. Perhaps it is about challenging someone to do more than they think they can or are given credit for or even identifying that diamond in the rough

and polishing that someone to help them shine.

Who are and have been your mentors? Sit with them in your mind for a moment. Let their warmth and willingness to walk with you fill your heart. Think about how, in your day to day, you could offer the gift of that warmth to others, just by being you in a version that reaches out just a bit. What a world we would have if we prayed to see those opportunities and to SEIZE them to be that mentor for others in even the tiniest of ways.

Uncle Dick, Marcus, thank you for hearing your call to mentorship….just by being you, you have changed the lives of many.