Me with my wonderful mentors, Rachel Hauck & Susan May Warren
“No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.” ~Brian Tracy (1944-), self-help author
It’s one thing to have a dream.
It’s something all together different when someone else comes along and embraces your dream with you.
When another person peers into your heart — your wish-upon-a-star-hopes — and says, “I believe in you!” — ah, that’s when dreams suddenly start looking like reality.
And when someone pours their heart into your passion … suddenly the goal seems achievable, doesn’t it?
Such is the power of a mentor — that so-wise person who has the experience, the know-how that you need to climb the proverbial ladder to success.
I’m starting this week off with a prayer that each of you would find that person — or persons — who already knows what you need to move closer to your dreams. I pray that each of you would find mentors who believe in you — and who come alongside you and say, “You can do this. Let me share something that helped me. “
In Your Words: Who has helped you achieve your dreams? And when have you had the chance to help someone else reach their dreams (because you’ve already paid the price to learn what they need to know?)
Comments 40
Great post, Beth. I love the photo, too! Mentors are so important and you, Rachel and Susie are great examples of how to be an encouraging leader. Dr. Dennis Hensley has been a super mentor for me, too. I’ve been blessed with great teachers and hope that some day I can mentor others as effectively as all of you. For now, I strive to encourage. Thanks for all you do.
Michelle,
Doc Hensley is a wonderful mentor — such a talented writer and teacher! And I know you are encouraging teen writers through your blog: randomwritingrants.com.
I’ve been blessed to have some truly encouraging people come alongside me. I pray I’ve done the same for others.
~ Wendy
You have encouraged others, Wendy. I will be the first to raise my hand and say so. I love reading your blog posts over at thoughtsthatmove.blogspot.com.
What a beautiful prayer! Thank you, Beth.
You’re welcome, Pat. I continued praying for y’all as I worked out this morning.
😉
I used to do Faithwriter challenges and met so many wonderful people who encouraged me on my journey–then I met my online Critique partners who also pick me up when I want to give up–we all need mentors in our lives for that special goal.
Good morning!
I’m intrigued by the Faithwriter challenges — they sound so helpful.
And your insights over at your blog have often encouraged me too.
Well, I have some awesome friends and family in my life who support my dreams and keep me going. My fabulous CP speaks truth and encouragement to me when I’m really down. And I have a writing mentor who gives me warm fuzzies. 🙂
Yep, I’m pretty blessed.
🙂
Good morning, Lindsay!
Cps are so, so helpful along the writing road, it’s true.
I’m thankful for so many in the writing world for their help reaching my dreams. Many of those I consider mentors don’t even know how they’ve helped me because their assistance has come through their blogs, classes at conferences and online, and especially books. Some of those who have poured themselves into me personally include the My Book Therapy staff, especially Susan May Warren. Someone else who’s been an amazing friend and encourager is Alton Gansky, Director of the Blue Ridge Mtns Christian Writers Conference. Without these generous members of the writing community I know I would have quit long ago!
Wise words, Edie.
We can be mentored by some of the best by reading their books and their blogs — think Michael Hyatt and Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren and James Scott Bell, just to name a few. That’s the beauty of the blog-o-sphere. And you and I connected via your blog first, I believe — and then finally met at ACFW.
LOVE that pic of you with Rachel and Susie, Beth! Such good thoughts here. You have been a mentor for me in the writing life, and I’m so thankful. I’m learning so much from you.
Who have I helped? I’m not sure. 🙂 I’m trying to encourage young writers who come across my path. I’ll have to think on this one more.
Jeanne,
The very fact that you are trying to help others means that you won’t miss the ones that God brings across your path.
Good morning, Beth! I love this picture. Even though I’ve not met any of you, my writing life has already been impacted by all three of you. Through your blogs, your books and your contribution to Christian Fiction, I’ve already learned so many things.
I’m reading Wish You Were Here! I downloaded it onto my Kindle on Friday and I’m already half way through – I stayed up way too late last night reading! My husband asked me what it was like to read a book by an author I’ve gotten to know and I said it’s amazing. And I love all the references to places I’ve been in Colorado and also the reference to Susan May Warren when Alli was going into the WIP Bookstore! That put a smile on my face, because I know how much she’s meant to you in your writing career. I can’t wait to write a review for your book and share it with others.
Gabrielle,
It’s been fun to watch your journey along the writing road. Truly a delight.
And thank you for your kind words about Wish You Were Here.
Without others coming alongside me, that dream would never have been more than a “maybe … someday” thought.
I love the beautiful images your words bring to mind of “pouring into” one another. What a beautiful picture of what God does with us. He pours, we’re satisfied, we pour, others are satisfied (at least for that moment), and He gets the glory. That, my friend, is a circle of a meaningful life, and it’s wonderful being part of yours.
Donna,
I continue to be thankful our paths have crossed — and look forward to meeting face to face — soon!
I love this post for so many reasons. 🙂 I was enlisting some of my friends last night to help me pray for a mentor.
My prayer dovetails right into yours, Jess.
BV, aren’t you too kind and sweet! Can’t say what a cheerleader and encourager you’ve been to me too!
God has blessed ME with you, with Susie and the MBT team!
Colleen Coble was my first mentor in that she cheered me on and put my name in front of the right people! I saw then what a kind word, an arm around the shoulders of another writer could do for hope and confidence. I never wanted to be without it in my life or without giving it!
Love to you!
Rachel
You are a beautiful example of a mentor, Rachel.
And I thank God that you opened your heart to me.
What an awesome picture of some of my favorite authors!
I have been blessed with so many encouragers along the way, including you! Your friendship is priceless and I can’t thank you enough!
Roxanne,
You know that my dream wouldn’t have come true without your wisdom, your encouragement, your belief in me.
🙂
My dream has been to know God…to walk fully in knowledge and grace in whatever task or journey He’s called me to, whether it was motherhood, being a godly wife, worship leader, or youth leader. So many woman have walked with me on these journeys of faith, but most especially have been my prayer sisters. Starting out praying for our kids and schools as Mom’s In Touch so long ago, three of us remain from that original group. We’ve been praying together for 18 years. We have mentored one another, laughed together, cried together, and enjoyed such sweet fellowship in the Lord. Now as I’ve begun my new empty nest journey, I am pursuing my long-held dream to write and they are still my cheerleaders.
Being a mentor has always been a passion. It is where I feel most alive. I look forward to using the gift of words to continue to speak into others lives. After years of writing only “notes” on Facebook, I’m venturing into the blogosphere. Crazy fun! And I’m so grateful for all my cheerleaders!
Berndadette,
I couldn’t agree more! As a young mom, I so desperately needed older, wiser moms to help me learn how to love my children, how to nurture my children in the right way. I thank God for the women who came alongside me and helped me become a better mom. I found them living next door to me, sitting next to me at church, around the world after Uncle Sam moved our family to a far-flung AF base … in so many unexpected places.
I’m excited for you as you step out into new dreams!
Thank you, Beth. Meeting you via skype at book club, was honestly a great encouragement to me. The Lord and many of my friends have been saying “do it” for a while now. I’d had a blog account open for an entire year with nothing started. I finally found the courage to take the plunge last week. I’m just a little freaked out, but fear is nothing new. I’m just going to forge ahead. And, honestly, there is such great joy in obedience. 🙂
Thank you, Lord, for writing mentors. I will never stop thanking God for getting me to that first MBT retreat and introducing me to Susan May Warren. She’s been such a blessing in my life. And YOU, Beth, and Rachel all the amazing MBT people. Life-changers, all of you.
And my fabulous CP. She makes me smile so much with her encouragement! And her feedback gets me thinking hard about my scenes and characters.
And though it’s still a new thing, now having an agent who is so savvy and in-tune with both publishing and marketing. Having her on “my team” is huge.
Melissa,
I agree — the My Book Therapy is filled to overflowing with people willing to come alongside us and help us achieve our dreams — “alongsiders,” as my friend Angie calls them.
Great post. I have a few mentors. I don’t know what I would do without them…
Hope the wedding was a joy!
It was, Loree. Joy overflowed
Just thought I’d let you know you’re one of mine, Beth. Your blog helps me weekly, and so do your encouraging words. Thanks bunches for both!
Kim,
Your words touched my heart so much. Thank you, friend.
And I hope you know that you have challenged and motivated me too.
Just love this picture as all of you are beaming joy. So glad that God is using your synergy to strengthen others to do their hearts’ desires. Never tire of doing what is right!
These two women pour their lives into so many others … and encourage and inspire us to do the same. It’s beautiful.
Oh, Beth, I was so blessed by this post! My mentor was Dee Henderson – and her giving spirit taught me and encouraged me to pass it on. I am blessed by the joy and success of my friends and love to cheer people on. I consider you and Rachel and the MBT team mentors in many ways – I am constantly learning from my friends. So grateful for those in my life who believe in me. 🙂 It was ME who was blessed that day you said, “Can I be your Minion?” Yes, Oh Beloved Onion, Yes. XO.
Minion, Onion … and so, so many other titles left unsaid.
😉
Great picture, great people–love you all.
Love you right back!
Great post, Beth. The photo just made me smile. There’s something different about you all at MBT. And I like it. So encouraging. Thank you. I’m happy to have met you and Susie and Melissa at Blue Ridge. What a blessing.
I also happened to meet my fabulous critique partner, Bethany Kaczmarek, at Blue Ridge. She spurs me on and makes me laugh at myself. I thoroughly enjoy her work and hope that I can be of assistance to her as well. I’m still praying for a personal mentor, someone to take me under their wing and help guide me through the dizzying world of publishing. But I can see God laying down the crackers for me to pick up along the way.