Full Circle

Yesterday was awesome.
Yesterday was a banner day.
Yesterday was a full circle moment.

My mentor, the mentor I've had for 8 years, had a come to Jesus with my undergrad. Yup that's three generations. My mentee met with her mentor's mentor.
Full circle.

And it was awesome. She didn't quite talk to her like she talks to me (I love her but after 8 years we know each other for real) but she definitely gave her some information and direction she needed. My mentee now has a longterm plan that's been worked on by two PhDs and an MD/MPH. This is how mentoring works if you're serious about it. She's my mentor and thus anyone I mentor has access to her as well.

My undergrad also has this truth: A very powerful Black woman is telling you that you can become exactly what you want to be.

When that same powerful Black woman said those things to me it changed my life. Changed it.

People matter.  People who matter to you telling you you're capable and this is how you walk out your dream can change your life.

One of the things I was thinking yesterday is that the level of humility required to be mentored made me a better mentor. Let me explain. My mentor doesn't have time to tell me anything twice. She just doesn't. We both take notes when we talk to each other. We're those people. Because she doesn't have an abundance of free time, we have to make time count. I've had to be willing on countless occasions to trust her and do what she says the way she says to do it, and then to come back with new information or more data. I've had to check in and be redirected. There's a humility required there...a I don't know how to do this and I need you to tell me exactly how so I can get to the next place I want to be. Can I tell you she's been gracious in that...and that even when its cost the both of us, it was for my good? That's a hard truth and a harder reality. That sometimes the best thing she could do for me is let me figure it out? Yea that was heart breaking but it got me to where I needed to be. Goal: Met!

The fact that I've had to trust her like that has instilled me in a deep understanding of what it means to be the person giving the direction. In the midst of teaching me how to follow, she also taught me to lead. I've got to be careful with the instruction I give because my mentee is going to do what I say, especially in professional capacities. The same is true even today. When my mentor tells me something professionally, its a done deal. That's happening. You know what else she does? Even after 8 years she still tells me I'm fantastic.   Why? Because she honestly believes it.

Being mentored and mentoring are this amazing symbiotic love fest of giving and receiving the best someone has to offer you out of a loyalty they chose to have to you.