When I was in high school I went through a very wearisome experience which, ironically, was a lifetime opportunity. The president of the Republic of Kenya then, Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, had been kind to our school by supporting the construction of a modern Dinning hall and in addition buying goodies for all the girls, as many as we were. To appreciate him for his kind gesture a student was to write to him a thank you letter, a minimum of one and a half foolscap. This student happened to be me, not because I was the best in writing letters but mostly because I was the school head girl (captain if you want) and according to my headmistress, I was the best placed to represent the school. This was definitely a privilege, a lifetime opportunity. But the tedious part was nothing to celebrate. I did not have a good handwriting and so you can only imagine how difficult it was for me to write the letter. When I wrote the letter the first time, the headmistress looked at it and said, “Mary I can’t read this letter and the President can’t read it either, write again”. This happened three times and each time it was getting worse and both of us were getting more frustrated. At the fourth time she walked over to me placed her hand on my shoulder and told me, “Mary I believe you can write better than this, Just try one more time; I will be right here beside you”. That did it and the next piece I wrote was good enough to be handed over to the president! My relationship with my headmistress moved to another level; she was more than just an authority, but a mentor.What contributed towards the positive outcome in this difficult experience? It is the power of positivity. I was struggling with a shortcoming which I was painfully aware of. All through, I wished I could get it right, yet I feared to be condemned and judged if I don’t get it right. In the end my headmistress did what a good mentor should do-instead of being judgmental she saw beyond the negatives and conveyed hope. That is the reason I got it right at the last attempt. Lawrence club says, ‘Mentors speak three messages: ‘It can be done. You are not alone. I believe in you’. If my headmistress did not speak the positive words, I still wonder how many more times I would have tried to get it right or if I would have gotten it right at all.
In the Bible Paul as a mentor to Timothy spoke positive words to him many times; “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 1Tim 1; 6, 7. It is no wonder that Timothy turned out to be the most effective Christina Evangelist in his time.
Would you this week consider using the power of positivity as a mentor? You will be surprised what this can do to your mentee. Try to apply the following tips;
Be eager to ‘see’ not only the present reality but also the possible future for the mentee-Vision
Be present to support and stick with your mentee-it makes all the difference in their ability to face the difficulties of life with hope-Encouragement.
Take every opportunity to celebrate with them for those wonderful breakthrough moments in their lives-Celebrating Progress.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]