The Company You Keep
As I get older I realise the company you keep is really important.
None of us really get a ‘people manual’ at birth.
Instead it takes trial and tribulations to work out the good ones from the bad ones.
You know as I've gotten older, I really have been fortunate to have some remarkable people in my life.
Aside from family and relatives, let me tell you about three wonderful people in my life.
First, my PhD supervisor is a wonderful person. Since taking his classes at Melbourne Uni he has been more than a mentor. He has been a mentor in the best sense of the word. He advocated for me to get jobs, he hustled for me to get into the PhD program, and he has given me wise advice and support. Alongside this he has opened my eyes to the horrible discrimination that gay men and women face in society. He has done all this while being humble and sincere. A few years ago he got legally married, and couldn't be happier for him.
Second, I met a kind older gentleman when I was at a conference once. He was very intriguing, and in the days that followed, I'd managed to find an address for him and wrote him a letter asking if he'd mentor me. Not really knowing anything about him, other than he was 40 years’ older, we developed a great relationship over several years. He helped me transition from employee to business owner, and he was/is a very successful WA businessman. Incredibly generous and kind.
Third, I have recently come across an amazing woman. Pretty much my female version of me - except much smarter, prettier and savvy. Indeed, as I write, I realise none of this would have come about if it wasn't for her. I know I'm hard to work with and have painfully high standards, but she exceeds everything. I feel blessed every day she is in my life. She's fire and ice. And she will be a major reason for any success I have.
I wonder if you have any mentors/inspiring people you'd care to share. I'm always interested in learning more about people and hearing their stories.
This is what it means to be human, after all.
In Peace and Parallel,
DB
Ditto!
The most inspiring person in my life is my mum. She is a selfless, warm, caring and angelic soul. I have never know a person who meets her and does not fall in love with her. I was blessed to have such a mum and miss her desperately. When I was a child she read me stories every single night, no matter how tired she was, she always had time for me and my sister. She is a wonderful listener, an empath, a mum who made me feel that I was trustworthy and able to decide for myself.
When I was still teaching, I met a brilliant teacher and mentor who taught me so much of what I know about language teaching. We became friends and have stayed in touch over the years.
Over the last two years I have been following Dr Zach Bush online. He is an incredible source of light in the world. I don't know him personally, but he is a source of comfort and inspiration to me.
Hello DB
Thank you for sharing a little bit of your journey with us. I often wander how other people do things.
I grow up seeing people who were already in.
I personally didn't really have a professional mentor, my field was creative and I often found that people misunderstood my openness as an invitation to be moulded to be understood.
Then I decided that all I wanted to do was work to avoid life, so I just stumble on to people and phaths.
Yours is truly no man is an island!!!
As I now revisited an old dream, and embark on my own journey. This is a very good tip to have!!!
It is also beautiful how you talk about your partner, it seems like you apply the same standard to your professional life and personal life. Aim for grate and look for grater. Also a good tip!!! Not for me right now or ever but good to keep.
My great grandma was more like for every broken shoe there is a rotten foot!!😔