Who have been your mentors?

These days I've been feeling a wealth of gratitude toward those who have influenced, inspired, and encouraged me throughout my life. Many people who come to mind may never be aware of how I was moved or changed by something said, or just by being in their presence. In our Writing Naked classes, as we go around the circle introducing ourselves, I ask everyone to include four pieces of information in their introduction:
1. Name
2. Where were you born?
3. What inspired you to come to this class?
4. Who is someone in your life you've considered to be a mentor?

Mentoring is something magnificent that deserves exploring. For a fun, reflective, and revealing activity: Here we go!

1. Get your favorite pen and notebook—or use your keyboard—and make a list of all the people in your life that you consider to have mentored you in some way. Dig deep. The obvious mentors will jump out and be the first on your list. Finding the less obvious is the fun part. Using these questions will help prompt you to explore, so ask:
   
    — Who was my most influential mentor?
    — Who taught me how to believe in myself and to "follow my bliss"?
    — Who really taught me my "craft" or my skills?
    — Who saw the best in me and reflected it back to myself?
    — Who told me I was doing great when I felt discouraged?
— Who was brave and loving enough to tell me what I didn't want to  hear in order for me to make positive changes, or to take a new direction in my life?
—    Who was/is a "difficult" mentor?
At one time or another, we've all had a relationship that was difficult, uncomfortable, or volatile. Perhaps this is a person whom we wish would just go away and disappear. Often, if we look closely, these people can be powerful mentors to us if we choose to ask: What am I to learn from this person?


2. Choose someone from your list to explore. You will be surprised at how many mentoring people have no idea how they have affected you or others. So: Write them a "Thank You" note—and send it!

3. Imagine yourself receiving a thank you note from someone in your past (or present) for which you have been a mentor. Now write a Thank You note to yourself from the person you have recalled. This will prompt you to explore situations and people where you gave your passion and acceptance to others. It's important that we acknowledge our own gifts and our ability to encourage, uplift, and be a role model for others.

IMPORTANT: Don't make a big production out of figuring out who your mentor is or was! For example, I think of my mom: going through the grocery checkout, she always greeted the checker and made conversation with her, especially if Mom noticed she was having kind of a bad day. The small, momentary gesture of really looking at someone and taking an interest can make someone's day. Mom had a gift of making people feel better just by crossing their path for a moment. She took time . . . and she showed me a valuable lesson.

This wondrous process opens our hearts as we begin to experience the love and gratitude we have for these souls who have cared and given of themselves out of their own love and passion for life and living.

Have fun with this exercise and pass it on to your friends and colleagues!

Submitting Your Results

As you enter this process, remember to just be yourself and don't labor over your writing. The focus of this exercise is gratitude. The bottom line of Writing Naked is to "keep your pen moving" and write from your heart. There is no right or wrong, good or bad. All we want is the authentic you! This is not a competitive thing so JUST HAVE FUN!

How To Submit:

First, just send an email through the website letting us know you want to participate in order for us to have a headcount. Include any questions you might have.

Edit your piece to 300 words or less. Email your finished piece.

Count on snippets of your piece being gleaned for submission. Sometimes the small jewels will be mined; occasionally the entire piece will be included.

Tell us how you would like to be recognized:
    By your full name
    First name only
    Just initials
Please include what city you live in.

Once again—please make this fun! I have never offered anything like this, so think of us as co-creating the Mentor Series and see where it takes us. It may take off into something unexpected! It's all in the playing!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings,

Annie


Please feel free to call: 828.658.8157