Mentoring The Moment

For your consideration…..

Last weekend in my women’s retreat, it was so obvious how much better we were together supporting one another than we were individually. Each woman there was dynamic in her own right but as we worked together each woman became much more than she was when we started. It was awesome to see each and every one of us grow and all of the “light bulb moments.” Each of us were mentors and we all benefited because of it.

We are given this message today to point out that we are all mentors. Perhaps we realize this, perhaps not. We are given an opportunity each time we communicate to raise the moment to a new level. We only need to be conscious of this and set the intention that each of us walk away better for having experienced it together.

We tend to think of life changing moments as big moments happening through big events. But more often than not, this is not so. It is often the subtle small moments that shape the direction of a life. Often it is the encouragement, questions and yes, disagreements that create pivotal change.

Encouragement can be a double-edged sword in mentoring. The standard “pat on the back” or “empty complement” may encourage more of the same. However, words of encouragement that coax a person to stretch for a new level is what mentoring is all about.

Let’s take a simple example. A little girl brings you a beautiful picture full of pink and purple flowers. You tell her how beautiful it truly is. So she continues to bring you variations of beautiful pictures of pink and purple flowers. We mentor the moment when we say “This is so beautiful. Is there a house near these flowers?” Or, “Do any other kinds of flowers grow here?” Or, “Wouldn’t these look beautiful (here)”…..wherever here might be. Subtly we let this precious presenting child know that she can do more. She is capable. We just know it!

And so it is with family, friends, employees and acquaintances. Acknowledging their accomplishments and asking them questions encouraging them to reach for a higher goal is mentoring the moment. Or perhaps it is the opposite. Someone has come to you and feels they have failed. Helping them see what they got from the experience and how better prepared they are for their next opportunity is mentoring the moment.

We learn from each other. Each of us has the opportunity to push and pull each other up through mentoring the moment.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…….

-Meditate/pray….set the intention to be the best you can be.

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Mentor the moment.

What made me smile yesterday……

-I found a phone number I was looking for.

-A lazy morning and fun afternoon with one of my favorite kindergartens.

-A great email from Alex.

-I found jewelry I have been missing for at least 2 years. This makes it even more astonishing that I was able to find Kathy’s cookbooks last week. (She had given me them over 10 years ago.)

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris