"Mentorology - Volume One Building A Mentorship"
Chapter Nineteen
Heart Viewership
Your mouth speaks what your heart sees. If your heart sees only brokenness, you will speak words that will break the spirit. Conflict is the first step in the growth process. Through brokenness we are given a greater capacity to love. A Mentors "Heart Viewership" is a two-way looking glass.
AID to MENTOR NAVIGATION Part 37
The Heart Farmer and his daughter Beauty were walking along a freshly planted field. Acres of dirt were all that was visible to the naked eye. The Dad smiled and said to his daughter: "I can already see that corn growing knee high by the fourth of July! In fact I can already see the corn silo filled with corn!" Beauty looked confused: "But Daddy, I don't see anything. All I see is dirt and the corn silo is empty."
Dad smiled even wider. "You've got to put your "Heart Glasses" on darling. They let you see things that you believe will eventually happen. We know that we planted the corn and we just believe that it will grow. My heart tells me to believe and see the corn so I can plan for the future." The little girl seemed to understand - a little. "Daddy, do you mean it's like when I can see dinner in my mind just from smelling Mommy's good cooking?" The Heart Farmer laughed a great big belly laugh. "Yes my little sweet pea, I can taste your Momma's cooking when I smell it, even when I milking the cows!"
The lessons of the Heart Farmer are endless. As a Mentor you will need to develop your "Heart Vision" to see potential beyond immaturity. Don't judge by what you see - have faith in what you don't see. Just believe that if you follow the principles set down in this book that you will make a difference. A Teacher may only be a part of a child's life for a short time before they move on. You are only putting a piece on the child's character. The finished product may be a few seasons away. You may never see the finished product outside of your "Heart Vision." Put your most compassionate foot forward and just believe in a bright future for the people you Mentor.
AID to MENTOR NAVIGATION Part 38
The picture of character that you envision in your Mentee must be visible in you. Use your "Heart Vision" on yourself. Examine your own character traits. Are there any that should not be passed on to a person you are Mentoring? A Mentor should be a walking, talking replica of the character that you would like to see developed in others.
The closer you get to someone, the more likely is the possibility that you will reveal glimpses of your personal life. When you are experiencing a particularly pain filled life episode, careful attention needs to be paid to your words. Do not fall into the temptation to use your Mentee as a confidant and a counselor. Set boundaries on what you will discuss regarding your personal life. It's okay to reveal that you are going through a divorce. It's not okay to rant and rave over your "soon-to-be" ex-spouse's character indiscretions.
You may need to step away from Mentoring for a season. Painful life episodes are like seasons that come and go. The winter is a season of stillness and reflection. Winter in the north is a season where growth stops and rest begins. Make time to rest after a devastating fall has left you depleted. Do not push yourself so hard that you will end up in counseling or worse.
Heart Vision is having the ability to discern future events based upon proper planning and experience. Teaching good character from a textbook has value. Teaching good character by modeling good character is the best way to have that behavior emulated in others. Seeing is believing. A Mentor with Heart Vision is a seer of belief.
Belief begins in the eyes of your heart.
Thanks for your time.
Go do something nice for somebody.