Mentor, Really?

So... if you're here you probably really want to know, why did I choose to become a mentor! Right? Or maybe I just sent you the link and begged you to take a look at my organization's website...either way, you're here! (Thanks by the way!)

I always make the joke that I didn't choose this mentor life, this mentor life chose me! Young people have always chosen me to give them advice, they thought I was like a Queen of perfection... (aka Beyonce). I was their chosen one... and although I was honored to be their choice, I didn't believe that I deserved it. I didn't want to be a role model. I didn't believe that I should be telling anyone ANYTHING because I only mastered the art of making it look good! Then one day, a young lady at my church said out loud on a microphone, "I literally want to be Liz!." I thought "Whoa!!!" Girl, I am like a Pop Tart... I look all neat and sparkly on the outside, but the inside is just a sticky, gooey mess!!

When she said that, I honestly didn't feel honored. I felt panicked. I felt like I was going to explode on the inside. I knew my struggles, I knew my flaws and all of my drama. I wanted to scream, "I'm not the one honey!" Please, whatever you do, don't be like me!!!"

What my young Queen didn't realize is that I walk around 80% of the time confused and the other 20% trying to figure it out. Yes, I am married, I'm a mother, I have a nice home, a couple of dependable friends and I own a business, but I have no clue what I am doing! All I could think about was what I didn't have and what I hadn't accomplished. I have no degree, my bow tie business is in the red, my best friend and I haven't been speaking, my house could be cleaner, I buy takeout and fast food for dinner most of the time, I'm easily irritated and I've been trying to lose the same 20 pounds for 5 years! But most importantly, I am not fulfilled at all!

I thought long an hard about who I am and what I am doing. That's when it hit me! Girl, the same way my young Queen thought that I had it all together, I think the same of other women. I believed that everyone else had it together so much, that I had decided I didn't have it together.

These girls at my church latched on to me, they viewed me as their leader. What was I to do?

I realized then, I must teach them that there is no "ONE WAY" to life. There is NO ONE who has it all figured out. Life is a journey, that takes confidence, a plan and the need to help others! That's one thing I was never taught growing up... being a great woman is not a one size fits all thing. It's about finding your own way, realizing who YOU are, finding what you love and teaching others to do the same!

So why did I become a mentor? Looking at any of my social media accounts and reflecting on my own life, I realized that our generation have lost their morality, they have lost their integrity, they have lost all signs of what's real. Likes matter more than love. Photos are no longer taken for memories, but for admiration and pride. The world no longer cares about reality, it's all about what you can make people believe is real. I want to do my part to help the young people see their true potential. To enjoy life on their terms, not their followers. To know that a "Real Man" or "Real Woman" is simply true to themselves and not whatever the latest meme says they are. To be humble, but fierce. Most importantly, to love themselves and others the Agape way and that's unconditionally, no matter what they face!

#Mentor #LoveYourself #AgapeLove #Firstblog #GirlPower #blog