You may perhaps remember a teacher who inspired you profoundly, so much so that you can say at this time that without that teacher you would not be where you are today. Most of us can make that statement. If it was not a teacher, it was a relative, a parent, a grandparent, another relative or another person who always encouraged you to stretch your mind and your imagination, to stretch your physical ability beyond the average.
That person totally believed in your potential to exceed, to conquer mediocrity, to soar above to highs of achievement that you never dreamed your would reach, a person who believed that you had what it takes to transcend all bottlenecks that life tends to throw on your way. And because you listened to that person, and dared to do your best, you are where you are today.
We call that person a mentor. So, here goes again our question for today: Who is your mentor? Who is that person who has been the inspiration and strength that has molded you to have the education that you have now, to have that enviable success in your business or in the leadership position that now defines you and more?
If you are like me that person is always there, one who lives now or has passed on. But there is always that person, or in many cases, several people who, knowingly or unknowingly push us to be successful. It is as if we are created to lead each other, to be a source of strength for one another, to make a positive difference in the life of someone else. If we do not realize this call to be the shoulder on which a bereaving person can lean on and cry, if we cannot build bridges so that others can cross safely in the never-ending challenges of life, our life is empty, it is what the scriptures call salt that has no taste. It is thrown away.
Fortunately though, most of us have been mentors for others in one or another. Most of us have made sure that our children and younger generation have the good mentors that they need. The call to be mentors is always there. And the call to have good mentors for our children and grandchildren is ever present. This week, as I read the autobiography of our Arusha native, Hon. Daniel Ole Njoolay, I realized even more profoundly the role of a good mentor in the formation of an ethical and vibrant community.
