Teachers And Mentors

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." William Arthur Ward said that. I've met my share of mediocre, good, superior and great teachers.

The really great ones inspire. They never give you up. If you are not up to par, they fault not you but themselves. Many times during training, I felt like giving up. But I'd think "If Sam Sir/John Sir haven't given up on me yet, how can I give up on myself?" So I push myself. And I become better. In a sense, they inspire me with their actions. Some great teachers inspire with their words like Ms Ng and Sam Sir. They encourage you and believe in you. Words are meaningless unless you give them meaning. Because they say they believe in you and they DO believe in you, you find an unknown strength. I do not wish to talk about lousy teachers because they are the pits and a waste of my breath.

Since the time I started growing out of my innocent/naviety, I've had the good fortune of having mentors coming into my life. Mentors are like guardian angels. They guide you and will even protect you. Some angels are dark ones though. They are not the pure, white angels in the strict sense. But dark angels open you up to the deviant way as a way of teaching. One has to know about the dark ways to be wise(r).

Elan has said that she wished there's someone she can look up to who can guide her. I feel that everyone needs a mentor. Whether you get one depends on your luck. I wonder when my luck will run out.