Mentors

Scrapbrats Blog Ring Challenge #2
Most influential person in our life.

It occurred to me that I haven't really written about mine and that I feel it's high-time that I sit down and do so.

mentor [men-tawr, -ter]
–noun 1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

My mentor is Thomas F. Crum.
The man probably has no clue how much he means to me or even how much he changed my life.
I met Tom when I was 16 years old. I happened to be serving a summer internship at Windstar, the same place he was conducting his 'Aiki Week' workshops. My internship sorta intertwined with his workshop and I wound up volunteering at his workshops for the remainder of that summer and 2 more to follow. It was friggin' FANTASTIC.
Tom is a sensei of Aikido (A Japanese martial art). He is also a life coach and a motivational speaker who specializes in Conflict Resolution. His programs are phenominal and I highly recommend them.
I don't think Tom knows to what extent his involvement in my teen years has affected me. I haven't seen him since my mid 20's but his teachings, his words and wisdom are an intricate part of my every day. I live in the moment. I always do. I am always RIGHT HERE and no where else. I rarely daydream about far off events, I am content to be in this moment, in this time, right here, right now.
I always grasp "the strawberry of life" and see the best in things. I DO stop to smell the roses, to call a friend, write a note. I am centered 95% of the time, though I do have a small tendancy to get off-center occasionally. (usually when it has to do with one of my girls having a tantrum!)
I haven't spoken with Tom in years. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that life's journey has brought me to different places and we haven't crossed paths. I think I will write up an email or dial the phone this afternoon.........