On Mentors and Heroes

As my wife and I sip tea in the morning in the Chinese ceremonial style we often consider a word to the wise, or "Insight of the Day."

So we sip on Ti Kuan Yin, Golden Needle, Supreme Phoenix and others while contemplating on all the good qualities of spirituality, wealth and abundance.

Today we encountered this quote by John C. Mather, Cosmologist:

A mentor enables a person to achieve. A hero shows what achievement looks like.

And considered: have you had a mentor in your life? One who has taken you under their wing to empower you in a trade? To share the experience of a finer culture, or way of relating with others in life?

A mentor must have a protege, one who is willing and excited to learn. The protege offers their own openness and service to the mentor in exchange for invaluable life and experience, the keys of worldly achievement.

In Homer's "Odyssey", Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, appears as the male Mentor to Telemachus and Odysseus as a means to develop encouragement and proffer practical advice. The Goddess can take any form to be of service to those who are seeking success.

One of my mentors took me under his wing to show me the finer points of art and culture, a sort of coming-of-age blessing. Another mentor at University served as such when I requested of her, "How can I help you with your current project?" The lessons and skills I've learned from all of my mentors are the keys to my present success.

A hero, on the other hand, is not in direct relationship with a single person so much as humanity at large. Thus, while the lessons of a mentorship lasts for the lifetime of the protege, the example of a hero's achievement is passed on for generations.

Who are your heroes? In literature, Odysseus's example has stood the test of time. In history, Buddha too has set precedent for inner awakening for well over two thousand years.

Mentors are our special friends and experts who empower us in our humanity, lives and trades.

Heroes are the greatest of human beings who command the attention of the gods.

How would you like to be remembered? If you haven't yet been blessed with a quality mentorship, find an elder person you respect and present yourself as a protege now. If you have served as protege, perhaps it's your turn to serve as mentor.

With all that said, if you really want to take a leap, don your cape and aim for the stars of hero status!