Mentoring
When Odysseus left for war, he charged a trusted friend to look after his son, Telemachus. This trusted friend's name was Mentor. And yet, Mentor plays a minor role in The Odyssey. And it would appear he may not have lived up to the legacy of his name as a trusted advisor, wise counselor, and protector. Odysseus returns to find his household overrun, his wealth dissipating, and Telemachus still too young to understand.
The impact of effective mentors is universal and undeniable. Yet, their cultivation is elusive. The most effective mentors reluctantly refer to themselves "mentor" to avoid belittling the reciprocity of this unique, life giving, and typically cross-generational friendship.
The need for skilled mentors is acute and the absence of mentors is precarious, especially with men. A recent study reveals nearly half of young men ages 10-19 said that society expected them to be combative when angry. As boys grow into young men, they are encouraged to distance themselves from intimate connections, and those who resist this societal pressure often find it difficult to experience the connectedness which appears to come more naturally to their female peers. The #metoo movement has been a reckoning of toxic masculinity, but is also an invitation to those who have the courage. The remedy for toxic masculinity includes heartfelt friendships.
Few efforts have yielded a stronger harvest than the investment I have made in cultivating mentors, a small group of both men and women who have been willing to offer a unique kind of friendship. They have offered what the Celts call anamchara, anam meaning "soul" and cara meaning "friend."
Have you cultivated soul friendships that will walk along side you through the peaks and valleys of your untamable life?
The impact of effective mentors is universal and undeniable. Yet, their cultivation is elusive. The most effective mentors reluctantly refer to themselves "mentor" to avoid belittling the reciprocity of this unique, life giving, and typically cross-generational friendship.
The need for skilled mentors is acute and the absence of mentors is precarious, especially with men. A recent study reveals nearly half of young men ages 10-19 said that society expected them to be combative when angry. As boys grow into young men, they are encouraged to distance themselves from intimate connections, and those who resist this societal pressure often find it difficult to experience the connectedness which appears to come more naturally to their female peers. The #metoo movement has been a reckoning of toxic masculinity, but is also an invitation to those who have the courage. The remedy for toxic masculinity includes heartfelt friendships.
Few efforts have yielded a stronger harvest than the investment I have made in cultivating mentors, a small group of both men and women who have been willing to offer a unique kind of friendship. They have offered what the Celts call anamchara, anam meaning "soul" and cara meaning "friend."
Have you cultivated soul friendships that will walk along side you through the peaks and valleys of your untamable life?