Years ago I was having lunch with a very special person. This is someone that I have known for a long time, but had never had the chance to sit down to eat. This is someone who is wise beyond their years. Someone who has had the most helpful advice for me in problems that I have encountered. Over lunch I asked them, "how did you get to be the way that you are?"
They were not taken aback by the question, and responded as if they had been thinking about this very inquiry. She said, "well, two things. First, I had the most wonderful parents, the most wonderful home growing up. Secondly she said, I have had in my working life, some wonderful mentors."
It did not surprise me that she gave such a good answer. Like I said, this is a person that seems to always know what to do when I am at an impasse.
Family. You can pick your friends, but not your relatives. Some people that are raised in wonderful homes turn out wonderfully. They take in the love and are shaped by their environment. Others though, for some reason, go off the deep end and make bad choices. The same is true for those raised in bad homes. Some carry the dysfunction on into their adult life. Others seem to somehow rise above their circumstance and live a life that is almost a reaction to the pain of their childhood. All in all though, I would say that the odds are in favor of those raised in a loving supportive home.
Mentors. This is very interesting. Most of us have had a good mentor or two along the way. The trick is to take advantage of the mentoring that is available. Many folks cruise through life and miss the gifts that come from the wealth of knowledge and experience in a mentor. A mentor can also be a book. We can learn so much from those we have never met, simply by entering the world of their thoughts.
In either case, the question that is still circling above me in the air is this, "have I chosen to take advantage of the good opportunities that have come my way in this life?" Did I recognize them for what they were and savor them? Did I cling to words of wisdom and solid advice no matter how challenging it was? Our response to such inquiry can make all the difference.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
2 comments:
What a great post. And please be assured that Jeff has served a reverse role, and been the kind of friend to one or many, that this friend has been to you.
This is the stuff real life on this earth is made of, and you've captured its essence so well.
Love this post. Also love the fact that not only have you known this mentor for a long time, but it sounds like this person is still there for wise counsel even today, when you face an impasse.
The next time someone asks what things you keep in your earthly treasure chest, and expects you to describe trinkets or collectibles, tell them your treasure chest has a very special friend(s.) in it.
God's gift to Jeff.
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