IN SEARCH OF ONE, WHO…

How much is a + a? Asked my mathematics teacher. For a while I thought what kind of question is this? I thought is she OK?  Then I thought she might be joking. Few week later as the algebra class advanced, things turned from bad to worse. The other students in the class were quick on the answer generating waves of smiles on the teacher’s face but when it was my turn I generated waves of frowns on her faces. I was humiliated badly in front of the class.

I was lost in my own world badly wanting a savior, a savior who would make things easy for me, make things understandable for me. At times, I felt the world moving ahead of me and I was the only person left behind. Who would care for me? Who would share for me? I felt everybody had his own race to run. Why would somebody care for me? Why would somebody share with me?

Few persons who empathized did not know Algebra. But one of them said “After every night there is a sunrise” He was more confusing than the mathematics teacher.  My little mind could not understand as to why is this man talking about the sunrise when I want to know something about Algebra.

It was when an elderly person made it clear, I came to know that things would be solved and difficult times would not last long. Yes, it did happen, the school were about to close and the good news was my uncle staying in Mumbai was going to come and stay with us. It was a joyous reunion after a long lapse of time. Once I expressed my worry related to Algebra. He with a  smile said “It will be taken care of” That evening we set together. He started with simpler and easy things. The basic rules, the focus required when solving problems. Then slowly he would raise the level of difficulty in pace with the rise of my understanding. Days changed, difficulties changed and with it changed the insight. I started loving Algebra.

It doesn't only happen in school days, or it doesn't only happen in college days; it happens in later life too, it may happen when you take up an assignment, it is only after taking it up, you find that it is not your cup of tea. A thought may flash in your mind “Why did I take it?” You may at times even think of giving it up. This phase is a crucial and critical one which decides the fate of your success, the fate of your destiny.

All persons are not able to mend their ways through such difficult and troubling times and there rises a need of a mentor. A person knowledgeable enough, a person matured enough, a person with enough patience, a person with understanding and a person whose sole focus is to get you out of that situation in a way such that, thereafter you are able to walk on your own and work on your own.

Observation and experience of years reveals that everyone is in search of one, who… This label "Mentoring" is a series of experiences being a mentee and then a mentor, I hope it makes good reading.

See you next time with the story of Madhu Suraiya-1