When I think about mentors, I don’t picture some wise old man giving speeches. For me, they came in random ways. A teacher, a boss, even a friend who didn’t even know they were teaching me anything.
Patience That Changed Me
One of my first mentors taught me patience. Back then I was the kind of person who wanted everything fast. Success, results, approval—all of it. He told me once, “stop pulling at the seed, let it grow.” I laughed at the time, but later I realized how true it was. So much of life is just waiting and not messing things up by rushing.
The Power of Silence
Another one taught me the power of silence. I thought talking more made me look smart. But she would just listen. Really listen. And people loved her for that. I tried it once, then again, and it changed the way I connect with others. Sometimes listening is louder than any words.
Lessons That Hurt First
Not all lessons felt good. One boss was tough on me. Honestly, I disliked him. He pushed too hard, demanded too much. I felt small. But now when I look back, he gave me resilience. He forced me to stand up straight when I wanted to quit. And even though I didn’t see it then, I’m grateful now.
Courage From a Friend
And then there was a friend. Younger than me, braver than me. She would try, fail, laugh, and try again. Watching her made me realize I was too scared of failure. She didn’t even “mentor” me on purpose, but she taught me courage just by living the way she did.
Mentors Everywhere
That’s the thing about mentors. Sometimes they don’t even know they are your mentor. They just live, and you take pieces of their strength, their mistakes, their stories. You carry it with you.
I guess I’m still learning from them, even now.
