The Wind as our Mentor
by Dr. Joan Marques
Published on this site: December 4th, 2004 - See
more articles from this month...
How soothing yet impressive is the wind! There are days when
you hardly feel it, and other days when it rages around trees
and buildings, ripping off leaves and roofs, and in some parts
of the world even escalating into a monster that destroys
entire cities! Then there are times when the wind alleviates
us gently, playfully caressing our arms and cheeks, and providing
us just that little bit of comfort we need in order to know
that we're alive.
Many of us may not necessarily associate the wind with mentorism,
but if you think about it, the idea is not as odd as it initially
may sound. The wind has been lauded in many a song, poem, or story
throughout time. And for various reasons: it is mysterious yet familiar;
stern yet gentle; unseen yet very existent; playful yet serious.
There are many sides to the wind, and there are numerous lessons
captured in its very nature.
The wind has been known to sweep down huge, strong trees with massive
trunks, yet merely bending the more vulnerable ones with hollow,
soft cores. Is that a matter of cooperating? Is, perhaps, the lesson
captured in this fact one of the value of flexibility?
There is so much to learn from the wind. Maybe nothing new, but
definitely a number of points we can all agree upon:
- The wind is important. Not because it is always there, but
because it appears regularly: for easing the heat, for bringing
fresh air from fresh sources, and for cleaning the pollution in
the air. Just like a mentor, who does not micro-manage his or
her subordinates, but is there at crucial times to bring order
and comfort when needed.
- The wind is genuine: it does not hide, and definitely does not
park its soul anywhere: it brings along its moods, whether gentle,
upset, happy, or outraged. You always know where you stand with
the wind: just like a mentor who expresses his or her feelings
openly, unafraid of possible repercussions through backstabbing.
Knowing his or her value and the importance of teaching others
to be their own self, this mentor refuses to act insincere by
putting on different hats for different audiences: he or she remains
authentic under all circumstances, just like the wind.
- The wind has a sense of humor: it surprises everyone in the
most unexpected moments with something to make them laugh, just
like a mentor who knows that people sometimes need to hear something
that will distract them from the monotony of being serious all
the time.
- The wind is thorough: depending on the urgency of the task at
hand, it blows in and through places where no one would expect
it. Just like the mentor who goes the extra mile and doesn't stop,
even when the trail seems to run to a dead end: Here is where
inventiveness comes into play: finding ways that no one else thought
of before. Just like the wind.
- The wind surprises: it keeps a healthy dosage of astoundment
in tact to break the tedious pattern of the day or week. And that's
what a mentor does: tapping out of various sources, and bringing
on the table various aspects that the mentee had not counted on,
leaving him or her in awe.
- The wind does not discriminate: it blows with the same intensity
for everyone. Just like a mentor, who provides the same approach
to everyone who seeks his or her guidance.
Ever considered this comparison before? Maybe you did, and maybe
not. But it always helps to maintain respect for an old mate that
we ignore too often, but that can teach us so much about the appropriate
ways of interacting with one another.
Dr. Joan Marques, Burbank, CA, 10/30/04
Joan Marques emigrated from Suriname, South America, to California,
U.S., in 1998. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership,
a Master's in Business Administration, and is currently a university
instructor in Business and Management in Burbank, California. You
may visit her web sites at
http://www.joanmarques.com
and http://www.spiritcounts.com
It is better to live in serene poverty than in hectic affluence.
Everything has a price. The price for nurturing your soul is turning
away from excessive stress, destruction of self-respect, and the
constant strive in lifestyle with the Joneses. But it's worth it.
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