Daily Prompt: Mmmm, Mento’s

Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?

men·tor  – /ˈmenˌtôr/
Noun: An adviser.
Verb: To advice or train (someone).
Synonyms: adviser, preceptor, monitor, counsellor, tutor.

The best advice I’ve ever been given was from my father. To put it in context my father has given me a lot of advice, as have numerous other people, but for the most part it’s ‘in one ear and out the other’ with me. So much so that I’d struggle to list 10 pieces of advice I’ve previously been given. This means the advice I do remember, vividly, must be the best I’ve heard. Or at least it’s the advice I’ve taken most to heart.

It goes a little something like this:

If you don’t ask you don’t get.

The fact that this, above all other pearls of wisdom, has stayed with me probably says more about me than the advice itself. Nonetheless it’s great advice. Often we’re too afraid to simply ask for something; help, directions, a second helping, advice! If we’re not careful we can go through life without ever asking for anything. Some might say that’s a good thing, to be self sufficient.  I say we all need others and when we neglect to ask others we’re the ones who miss out.

Thanks dad, I’ll always ask. Sometimes people will say no. Too bad. But sometimes I’ll get that bigger potion, sometimes I’ll carry a lighter load, sometimes I’ll live a fuller life. All because you advised me too, because you’ve been a mentor.