Celebrating National Mentoring Month: Thank You by Mallory Huffman
"We need mentors. They remind us that we’re worthy of the dreams we have for ourselves. We all deserve that."
Hi everyone,
Since this month is National Mentoring Month, I wanted to take a moment to thank some of the influential mentors I’ve had the pleasure of having in my own life. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to form relationships with many great mentors over the course of my education and career, but there are two who have had the greatest impact on my life and development, Linda and Phyllis.
From my mentor Linda, I learned that being genuine and kind are the keys to success. Sometimes it’s easy to feel that you have to be outrageous to be noticed and stand out, but working with Linda constantly reminds me that quality work speaks for itself. If you’re team player, give your best effort and stay true to yourself, you’ve succeeded. Linda has also taught me the great value of kindness. She goes out of her way to help the people in her life without thought of reciprocation, and she always does it with 100% sincerity. Linda taught me that seeing the best in people oftentimes inspires them to be their best. We all have that person in our lives whose goodness inspires us to make ourselves better. For me, that person is Linda.
From my mentor Phyllis, I learned true strength is being who you are, rather than trying to be someone you’re not to please others. She taught me that it’s OK to be human, and that having weaknesses does not mean you’re weak. It means you’re strong enough to show your imperfections. To have someone believe in you simply for being who you are instilled in me a confidence I’ll carry with me the rest of my adult life and career. She encouraged me to take risks and be innovative, and taught me that the only true thing to fear is stagnation, not failure. We are all responsible for our own happiness and fulfillment, and Phyllis’ insistence that I never settle for anything less is a powerful lesson.
And finally, from my students, I am constantly reminded of the power of hope. Together we hope to become better; we hope for opportunities, we hope for better lives. Your hope made us partners as we work towards your college degree. To constantly be working with people who truly believe that the future is full of promise and opportunity is a privilege. You are a strong, great group of people, and your positivity and commitment to reaching the goals you have set for yourself is inspiring. You make me proud every day.
We need mentors. They remind us that we’re worthy of the dreams we have for ourselves. We all deserve that. The respect and appreciation I have for my mentors is immeasurable and I could never say thank you enough to repay them for the support they have given me. Linda and Phyllis inspired me to become a mentor, and to devote my career to helping people the same way they helped me. I strongly encourage everyone to become a mentor. You don’t have to make it your only occupation, but the difference you could make in even one life is monumental.
There are a million ways to mentor. If you want to learn more, visit http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/ to find opportunities in your own area.
Hi everyone,
Since this month is National Mentoring Month, I wanted to take a moment to thank some of the influential mentors I’ve had the pleasure of having in my own life. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to form relationships with many great mentors over the course of my education and career, but there are two who have had the greatest impact on my life and development, Linda and Phyllis.
From my mentor Linda, I learned that being genuine and kind are the keys to success. Sometimes it’s easy to feel that you have to be outrageous to be noticed and stand out, but working with Linda constantly reminds me that quality work speaks for itself. If you’re team player, give your best effort and stay true to yourself, you’ve succeeded. Linda has also taught me the great value of kindness. She goes out of her way to help the people in her life without thought of reciprocation, and she always does it with 100% sincerity. Linda taught me that seeing the best in people oftentimes inspires them to be their best. We all have that person in our lives whose goodness inspires us to make ourselves better. For me, that person is Linda.
From my mentor Phyllis, I learned true strength is being who you are, rather than trying to be someone you’re not to please others. She taught me that it’s OK to be human, and that having weaknesses does not mean you’re weak. It means you’re strong enough to show your imperfections. To have someone believe in you simply for being who you are instilled in me a confidence I’ll carry with me the rest of my adult life and career. She encouraged me to take risks and be innovative, and taught me that the only true thing to fear is stagnation, not failure. We are all responsible for our own happiness and fulfillment, and Phyllis’ insistence that I never settle for anything less is a powerful lesson.
And finally, from my students, I am constantly reminded of the power of hope. Together we hope to become better; we hope for opportunities, we hope for better lives. Your hope made us partners as we work towards your college degree. To constantly be working with people who truly believe that the future is full of promise and opportunity is a privilege. You are a strong, great group of people, and your positivity and commitment to reaching the goals you have set for yourself is inspiring. You make me proud every day.
We need mentors. They remind us that we’re worthy of the dreams we have for ourselves. We all deserve that. The respect and appreciation I have for my mentors is immeasurable and I could never say thank you enough to repay them for the support they have given me. Linda and Phyllis inspired me to become a mentor, and to devote my career to helping people the same way they helped me. I strongly encourage everyone to become a mentor. You don’t have to make it your only occupation, but the difference you could make in even one life is monumental.
There are a million ways to mentor. If you want to learn more, visit http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/ to find opportunities in your own area.
Mallory is a success coach at Ivy Bridge College. Follow her on Facebook.
