Anyone can become a mentor. The intention is to do good and help people feel better. It doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside or your social status. A mentor comes from the inside. Being a mentor is a state of mind and being. In this state, you are focused on helping and giving without expecting anything in return.
You are the best version of yourself, and your intention is pure and coming from a place of love. You know that we are all connected and that we are all One. You see the divine in everyone and everything. You naturally radiate light, love, and compassion when you are in this state.
When you are in this state, the world is a better place just because you are in it. People are drawn to you because they feel better in your presence. They feel seen, heard, and understood. They know that you genuinely care about them and are here to help them in any way you can. Being a hero or mentor is a beautiful thing. It is one of the highest expressions of love.
I often wondered what the difference is between a hero and a mentor. The definition of a hero from the Oxford dictionary is an admired person for their courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.
What is a Hero?
So, let me break this down for curiosity’s sake.
A hero is courageous. The definition of courageous – is the ability to do something that frightens one and to be brave. A hero possesses outstanding achievements or noble qualities.
Outstanding means exceptionally well, and the achievements are a result of hard work and are done successfully with effort, skill or courage. Noble qualities pertain to persons so distinguished, distinguished by rank or title. Heroes are admirable! It sure seems like being a hero might feel good!
I asked people what they thought a hero in their mind might be, and many people mentioned the military and how they sacrificed for their country. A hero can be someone who steps up to the plate not because they are asked to but because it feels like the right thing to do.
What People Think a Hero Might Look Like
Many people mentioned the military and how they sacrificed for their country. A hero can be someone who steps up to the plate not because they are asked to but because it feels like the right thing to do.
A hero performs when no one is looking, mainly because it is never planned. Someone who puts it all on the line no matter the circumstances is never seeking recognition.
I think heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and one is born every day. In fact, I believe each one of us has been a hero at a time in our life.
My Hero Story
One morning while driving, I noticed a toddler walking along the road’s edge. She was wearing only a diaper and could not walk well. The toddler was alone and falling all over the place.
I couldn’t see a parent or guardian around anywhere. The traffic was moving so fast that I worried she would shuffle onto the road and get hit by a car.
I stopped my car and ran over to her just before she climbed down the curb. When I picked her up, I asked what her name was, but of course, toddlers are really hard to understand.
So, I scanned the area looking for someone who might be looking around for their child. No one seemed to be worried or around.
I walked over to the store owner down the road to see if she recognized the toddler. She didn’t speak English well but pointed in the direction of townhomes. A little afraid of what I might be getting myself into, I asked kids in the Townhome parking lot if they recognized her. A young girl about 10 years old walked me to a door.
When the mother answered the door, she looked relieved and took the child and thanked me. She told me they looked everywhere for the child.
I guess the toddler climbed out of the crib and figured out how to open the front door when they were all sleeping. I felt happy I could help and that the situation turned out well.
As I drove to work, I shuddered at the thought of the toddler climbing down the curb to the busy road. If I hadn’t been there, what would have happened to her? She could have easily run onto the road and then been hit by a car. I was so glad I stopped and hadn’t ignored the situation like many other cars driving by.
We Are All Heroes
My Mom and Dad are my heroes. They adopted my twin sister and me when we were just 3 months. I have read about adopted twins who were separated and felt empty all their lives. A feeling that something was missing, and some found their twin later in life. Luckily they adopted both of us.
My parents are white, so they also took a risk adopting two black babies in the sixties. Yes, they are absolutely my heroes for that.
When my kids were younger, I would tell them about the people I admired. I believe it shaped who they are today, and hopefully, this helped them understand the difference between standing still and making a positive difference.
My hero is Nelson Mandela. He fought to help equality in Africa, and even though he had to learn some hard lessons, he is a person I respect. I love what he stands for.
Is A Mentor The Same as Hero?
A mentor is someone who provides guidance, support, and advice when it is needed but also knows when to step back. A hero is someone who is always there, even when they are not needed or wanted. A mentor helps you grow into the person you are meant to be. A hero is someone who saves you from yourself. A mentor sees the best in you and helps you bring it out.
Nevertheless, a hero is someone who loves you unconditionally, no matter what. A hero is someone who makes you believe that anything is possible. A mentor is someone who makes you want to be a better person. So, while a mentor and a hero may both provide support and guidance, a mentor does so in a way that allows you to grow into your own person, while a hero does so in a way that keeps you from ever having to face challenges alone. In this way, a mentor is more than just a hero; they are a role model, a friend, and a teacher.
Anyone who has ever achieved greatness has likely had a mentor – someone who believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves or pushed them to be their best. A mentor, simply put, is a guide—a teacher. Someone who has been where you are trying to go can offer advice on how to get there.
A hero, on the other hand, is someone who is idealized for their accomplishments. They’re not necessarily someone you want to emulate, but rather someone you admire from afar. In many ways, a mentor is a hero – they often have accomplished great things and are looked up to by those they help. But the critical difference is that mentors are accessible. They’re real people willing to share their wisdom and help others achieve their dreams. That makes them even more extraordinary.
Mentor A Wise And Trusted Person
Trust means to rely upon or place confidence in someone. A wise person possesses discernment, judgment, or discretion. A counsellor is a person who advises or counsels and a teacher, of course, is a person who instructs, particularly as a professional.
“I will try my best to be like my hero!” it is healthy to have heroes when these heroes can become your mentors as it changes the game for you. Your thought process has changed from admiration to following in their footsteps and seeing the achievement in you.
Mentorship Programs Benefits
A mentorship program can profoundly impact both the mentor and the mentee. For the mentor, it can be an opportunity to show empathy and compassion while also sharing their expertise and knowledge. For the mentee, it can be a chance to learn from someone who has been through similar experiences and to gain valuable insights into their own situation. In both cases, mentorship programs can provide invaluable support and guidance. In addition, mentorship programs can also help to build strong relationships between mentors and mentees. These relationships can last well beyond the program itself and can provide lasting benefits for both parties.
I know when they were younger, they had many heroes. Some were fictional and others nonfictional, but they were heroes to them just the same.
My oldest is now at University with her own idea of a hero. Heroes, for her, are people who speak for the planet and from the heart. David Suzuki is one of her heroes, a man who cares about what we are doing to our world.
My youngest daughter, who is just graduating, finds heroes of another kind, but legitimately they have admirable qualities. My youngest son has a football hero from the fifties that he admires and looks up to. I truly believe we are all heroes in our own way.
Is Your Hero A Positive Role Model?
Everyone has someone they look up to and admire. For some, it is a parent, teacher, or friend. Others might look up to celebrities or fictional characters. Whoever our hero is, it is important to consider whether or not they are a positive role model. A positive role model sets a good example in their words and actions. They are honest, kind, hardworking, and motivated. They treat others with respect and strive to make the world a better place. A positive role model is someone we can all aspire to be like.
On the other hand, a negative role model is someone who demonstrates harmful behaviour. They might lie, cheat, or steal. They might be disrespectful or violent. They might also encourage others to engage in risky activities. We must be aware of our heroes’ potential influence on our lives. We should all aim to choose heroes who are positive role models and who will inspire us to be our best selves.
Nevertheless, there is always the chance that you mistake a person for a mentor, but they are not. What if he is someone your child looks up to, spits and uses profanity all the time. What do you do then?
He may see people cheering his hero on but is it for all the right reasons? This can be confusing for a child. Being a good role model, teaching what is right and wrong, and explaining good behaviour are good places to start. It benefits them and the world.
Ask them about the qualities of their heroes. Kids get confused, and your child may realize the person they looked up to is not so good after all.
I thought this would be an exciting research subject; of course, I learned quite a bit in the process.
Sign up for my Intention Calendar and commit to a weekly check-in with yourself. This will help you stay on track, accountable, and focused on your well-being goals. Finding a mentor or someone who can offer guidance and support as you work towards improving your well-being is also important. Find someone who has been where you are now and knows the journey’s challenges and joys. Seek out this person, tell them about your goals, and ask for their help. You won’t regret it!
