Many times this crazy society that we live in can get really nuts! Most folks will agree that making heads or tails out of things can sometimes be formidable, to say the least. All sorts of decisions, large, life steering ones that make a huge difference in our lives, and small, simple day-to-day ones crop up to perplex us at the most inconvenient times. When we are little we normally run to our mothers for the answers to most problems. She is always there for us, listening intently as we try to describe the horrible problem that is ruining our day. Miraculously, she always seems to have the right answer. We learn very quickly that Mom is very wise and that we can depend upon her for all matters, large and small. As we grow, our world expands and we meet other people who seem to know more about life than we do. Sometimes some of these new people in our lives can seem almost as smart as Mom. Isn’t it wonderful to have several people to whom we can go with our questions. As we grow some more we find out that the smartest people in the world (Mom and maybe a few others) are not as wise as they once were. Actually, it is we who have changed, the other folks are still as brilliant as they ever were. We get confused all over again. When we were little, we had someone to go with our thoughts and questions; when we grow older, it seems that we have to find someone else to help us.

The dictionary (you know, that big fat book that was written by Webster) defines "mentor" as a "wise and trusted counselor". Sort of sounds like there should be a picture of Mom in the book, right? A mentor is a special person, indeed. He or she has to be imbued with lots of interesting attributes, otherwise that person is nothing more than a friend, or acquaintance. Friends and acquaintances are important too, but for other reasons. Taking advice from either of these two types of people is unwise; (though it is possible) neither of them possesses great wisdom, education, or dedication to the task of mentoring. Yes, mentors are not on every street that we travel. Finding one mentor in your travel through life is noteworthy, finding more than one makes you extremely fortunate. There are lots of smart people out there; there are several educated people out there; there are very few dedicated people out there, and to find one who possesses all three attributes, and who is willing to care about you personally, well, that’s difficult.

In point of fact, why would someone want to mentor you? Realize that a mentor takes responsibility for every aspect of the relationship. He or she utilizes all his or her experience in life, and as much wisdom, to see to it that you are safe and, most importantly, that you grow as a person. If you are not worthy of that kind of attention, then a potential mentor would be wasting their time with you. So, the answer to why a mentor would undertake the task is that the person has demonstrated the integrity, a laudable attitude, and a willingness to grow. In addition, the person would also have to show that he or she will accept the directions of the mentor. It is quite a complicated relationship that forms between a person and a mentor. Given that it is difficult to find a mentor, and that a person who needs direction (we all do at different times) can find him or her, it follows that listening to the mentor’s instructions on any given topic is a good, no, great idea.