I owe nearly everything I have become as a man (at least the good parts) to two people: my mother and a man named John Hoffman. My mother did the best in raising me to be a good and productive person, but let’s be real… she kind of had to…
John was no kin. In fact he was a stranger introduced by a teacher who realized I had potential but needed help and direction. Ms. Guzman was a music and art teacher in my elementary school who worked at the Boys Club after school. Despite my being tone deaf and coloring between the lines like Stevie Wonder on a caffeinated high, she saw an at risk kid, always in trouble in school, but with test scores that showed I was not as dumb as I acted.
Her initiative lead to the more direct mentoring by John. I would become the test case that lead to a lifetime in helping what has now become thousands of Black and Hispanic kids achieve educational ambitions far beyond our initial scope of understanding.
I have come nowhere close to the life of service that John continues to be committed to. One thing he did teach and actually require of each of the kids he helped, was a minimum of a summer commitment to giving back in some form via a community related internship or job.
I have lived a life dedicated to hedonistic pursuits. Growing up without has helped contribute to an uneasy relationship with money… I do not exactly make any apologies, just an admission and acknowledgement of those much more selfless than I in their enduring commitment to lives of service.
However, while an entrepreneur at heart, I have learned from the importance of lessons by the likes of people like John Hoffman. Without his mentoring and guidance, my life may have very well taken on a different path and direction. His examples, have lead me to minimally try and reach back and help others.
At the very least others can learn what not to do by my many examples of ineptitude, made largely in part because I probably needed more guidance. I have tutored and taught over the years. While I am not currently engaged in any formal programs, I offer my mentoring and guidance to anyone open to the words and advice.
There are so many kids and young people out there with enormous potential, who just need a little help, guidance, push or encouragement. All adults have a duty, whether it is paying it back or paying it forward, to help others. We must never forget that it was the mentoring of someone; a parent, teacher or other that helped us find or maintain a path in our lives. Perhaps we were not given enough guidance or mentoring throughout our lives, and can see what the potential benefits could have been had we received more help.
Whatever the reason you choose… actively engage in helping others. Paying it forward or paying back is such an important part of our progression as individuals as well as for mankind in general. Mentorship of others is one important way of helping others and giving back. Young people are always going to make mistakes and attempt to cut their own paths, but it does not mean that they could not benefit from the guidance of learning from the successes and mistakes that older generations made to help in their evolution and growth. We all benefit from such lessons.
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