Meaningful Mentorship

        Mentorship has played an important role in my life, making me the person I am today. After writing this project from the perspective of The Seventh Most Important Thing, I wanted to take a moment to explain more on a personal level. 

       I was the little girl who was fascinated with adults and their lives, including marriage, a house and a steady, meaningful career. I would watch how they would carry themselves, interact with one another, and how they made life look so "easy". I admired their lives and was always curious about the steps taken, to get where they could finally (what seemed like) "settle down".

        So, as a little girl, I made goals. Step by step plans to have a life like the ones I looked up to. I realized later on, that life is not a perfectly wrapped present, waiting for each layer to unfolded. Therefore, my curiosity for these pieces of life has only heightened in getting older. My young, naive mindset failed to realize that all people are continuously learning based on trial and error. They don't become successful by themselves; but through seeking guidance, building a community, and letting go of pride when hard times happen.

        As I have matured, I found the joy-- the rewards that come from gaining advice from the people who have more experiences, more wisdom, and a better ability to see things from a larger perspective. I have a desire to continue learning, to be a continual student in life, and to build relationships where hard times are shared and joyful moments are celebrated. Raw and authentic. 

Learning alongside inspirational humans is a gift. Aren't sheep better off in a herd, rather than roaming the fields by itself? Isn't decorating a house easier with two or more people?  Each interaction teaches new lessons and nuggets of wisdom to save for a rainy day.  

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        The gift of mentorship has allowed me to follow alongside people I admire, learning from their different life experiences. These relationships sharpen one another as life unfolds day by day. These relationships are ones that fight the bad together and rejoice when accomplishments are made. These relationships are fruitful and encouraging rather than demanding and expecting. 

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        I have created a video as a personalized explanation of what mentorship means to me and who are some of the important people that have impacted my life thus far. I am continually in awe that we are designed for a community. I also have to continually remind myself of that concept. The community we acquire supports, encourages and inspires to keep pressing on during the exciting moments, the mundane, or trials. 

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        So, thank you-- to each of you who participated in this video. Thank you Amber, Dr. Doubet, Mom, Isabelle--Sadie, Bella, Kate, Emeli, and Oscar. There are many more people who I would have loved to include: Moriah, Kailyn, Mrs. Hackenberg, Koky... the list could go on. I love that our paths have crossed in some way or another and I am honored to have learned something from each of you.

        My prayer is that we are constantly encouraging and ready to serve individuals who need an advocate, a friend, or someone just to listen. Remind them that they are not defined by their past. Invest in mentorship. Speak truth. Be intentional in relationships. Be a light at all times.

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Matthew 5:16