Last week I got to visit a cherished childhood friend. We have known each other since the 3rd grade. She is now a successful business woman working with a staff of successful business women. I really like women, so this is a good start.
I was lucky enough to have lunch with the whole group, and I came away from the experience simply awestruck. These chicks have it goin on… they are smart, they are having fun, yet still very professional. They are a well oiled machine – each one in a role that suits their strengths, but has room for growth. All of them are very businesslike without being uptight. Also, as luck would have it, they are all totally hot. (This point rarely goes un-noticed by The Large Man)
If I didn’t already have a job that I loved, I would be begging my friend Kathy to let me work for her. My only reservation is that I know I would bring the level of professionalism down a notch or two…’cause that’s how I roll.
So get this; the name of her company is The Training Connection. They set up training and mentoring programs for other companies. How cool is that? Kathy even wrote a book on mentoring. I’ve made the decision that she now gets to be my mentor (she just found out about this new facet of our relationship at the same time you did!!). Let’s face it-I could use a little mentoring. With all my foul language, womanizing ways, craft brewed beer stalking, and poor sentence structure, I am the perfect candidate for a mentoring program. I’m ready to grow! I’m tired of always being the “before” guy in the picture…I’m ready to become the “after” guy. This is exciting.
The positive experience at The Training Connection got The Large Man thinking (as most positive experiences will do)…I’ve had some really good mentors in my life. I’ve been blessed. With absolute sincerity, I believe that a mentor is one of the most important roles a person can play. Kathy has just taken on a lot of responsibility… Mentor To The Large Man. I wonder if she has room to put that on her business card.
I sit here in room 106 of the SpringHill Suites, and I start adding up the mentors, the people in my life that have propped me up, showed me some culture or a view that I had not known, or maybe given me a reason to believe that I was capable of a bit more.
Brief list:
- My big brother made music cool to me; my little brother showed me how to love it.
- Buddies DJ & Dave taught me some self-respect, how to dress, how to settle down and still have fun. Any “cool” factor that I might have is because of them.
- My Mom and Dad showed me what a work ethic looks like.
- My boss is a dude that thinks there is more substance in me than there probably is, this makes me try to live up to something.
- My first employer in the sales profession showed me how NOT to work.
- William J Hall, Paul Boutwell, and my Mom are the quiet whispers that I hear when someone tells me that I can’t do something (as in not capable). Those 3 voices tell me I can.
- Mohamed Ali showed me at a very early age that authority figures are not always right.
- Bridget, Sue, Erica and my wife are my most current mentors…the writing conscience. My wife and Sue for what I say, and Bridget and Erica for how I say it.
- Billy Davidson gave me my first full bottle of beer.
I owe them all so much.
I could easily write 50 more names: coaches, teachers, family and friends. I only stop here because these names wouldn’t mean much to most of you, but if you think about what they’ve done for me, it’s a big friggin deal!
Kathy has a cool ass job!! This is hero stuff. Someone that would help you become better at your craft, your job, someone to help you become more learned or nobler in character – that’s a hero. Maybe when Kathy writes her next book, a Deuxi`eme Partie, it should be about Heroing.
I’ve never really thought about mentoring anyone before now, but I’ve always thought about being someone’s hero.
In my Walter Middy imagination, I’ve saved a million damsels in distress, but refused their post trauma induced advances because it just wouldn’t be noble. In my Large Man mind I have pummeled countless thugs in the name of honor, justice, and common decency. I’ve rescued homeless, disabled, medical missionaries from sinking ships in a hurricane – armed only with my pure heart, a Leatherman, and a keen desire to do the right thing.
In my mind I have done these things. In reality, those opportunities do not present themselves on a regular basis. A real life hero is something much different. Most “real life heroes” are not doctors, service men and women, firemen and police women…most heroes are simply mentors that lifted us up, gave us a boost and made us believe in ourselves.
Was there someone who put you on their shoulders, and let your psyche peek over the fence at what could be? I would appreciate hearing about someone, or the someones who played these kinds of roles in your life. Please put an example or two in the comment section on the blog page, or the Facebook post…or reply to the email if you get your Large Man that way. I think it’s a great discussion topic – I’m (obviously) hoping you do too.
From the depths of my full heart, and from the vast expanse of my wretched soul, I thank you for reading.
Until next time,
The Large Man
The Large Man Chronicles 
Best yet. 🙂
Jace, you are absolutely awesome…and quite the mentor yourself!! Think of all the things you’ve shown and taught your children. That, my friend, is what mentoring is all about. You are my hero…I love you, Suz
I would love to be your mentor!!! What an honor. I love your blog… LOVE it!! I loved what you said about my staff, “they are a well oiled machine – each one in a role that suits their strengths, but has room for growth.” I couldn’t have described them any better. You captured the essence of this amazing team so perfectly. Thank you JC!!!
I am so blessed to have lots of mentors. Diane, Carol and Denise were some of my early mentors who taught me about friendship, how to have fun and always being there for each other!!
Jan Northup was one of my first “professional” mentors. I don’t think I would be where I am today professionally if it hadn’t been for Jan. She really taught me how to believe in myself and the importance of helping people grow. She also did things that drove me crazy…like catching me in mid sentence when I broke into my “Woodbridge” twang and made me stop saying things like “ya all” and “could ya”, “would ya”, “shoulda.” She really made me step up my game and told me things that I needed to hear not necessarily what I wanted to hear. Yes, JC I think you got it right, “most heroes are simply mentors that lifted us up, gave us a boost and made us believe in ourselves.” Can I have permission to quote you in my next presentation? Luv ya, k
Wow, JC, I had no idea you were such a terrific writer and your blogs are so uplifting. They make me smile and in this day and age, that’s critical to my well-being. Thanks and keep the good stuff coming.
I never thought of myself as a mentor…a DEmentor, perhaps. 🙂 Great entry, Large Man. You definitely have a knack for this. Keep going. As for my mentors, they are:
Mrs Simonds: my second grade teacher who said I was very creative and that I would be a writer someday. I remember this clearly. With her one suggestion, a door had been opened, and within me stirred the power of possibility.
Mrs Lovelace: my HS journalism teacher who told me I wasn’t trying hard enough. She died in a car accident my senior year. A couple months later, I was awarded the Linda Lovelace Journalism Award…and cried upon receipt.
John: He took an English major and turned her into a Natural Resource Planner. I rerouted my career and graduate school plans on the heels of his “read the land, manage the land” teachings in New Mexico and became a planner who also happens to write.
Teddy Roosevelt: I deeply appreciate his unbridled–and at the time, unpopular–gumption to preserve the nation’s natural beauty. I love that his aides would often come back drenched in Potomac River water, suits smudged with dirt and fauna after taking a “walk” with the President.
Pieter: He showed me the ropes in my first job as a resource planner. He taught me that professionalism CAN go hand in hand with wine and cigarettes.
Will Ferrell: He taught me to never be afraid to make a ridiculous ass of yourself. Most of the time, it’s funny.
Holly and Dan: They took a Resource Planner and turned her into a magazine writer. They showed me how to add depth and sensory interest in my writing. They allowed me to develop humor in my writing. They paid me.
The Large Man: He reminds me of my semi-lost passion for writing, and of the intrinsic creative value in everyday occurrences and observations. (Hugs, friend.)
Erica Z
Damn Erica…Thank you.
WOW JC! I am FINALLY getting around to reading my first Large Man Chronicle and you did not dissapoint. You are an incredibly talented, insightful and inspiring writer. You made my day reminding me of all the wonderful mentors I have been blessed with in my life. Too many to list but one thing they all had in common what that they believed in me more than I believed in myself and after years of that I think I am finally catching up:) Thank you so much and keep it coming. PS – I want to work for Kathy too!!!
JC,
I truly enjoy each and everyone one of your writings. I so look forward to them. Thanks you for the lessons and humor. Your the Best.
JC,
How right you are about the importance of mentoring. Whether we realize it or not, we are always mentoring by example. You are mentoring me with your writing!
As Kathy said, we are so blessed to have each other – words can’t describe decades of support and love. Besides Kathy – my daily mentor and best friend is my husband. My youthful years would be my parents. My Dad had a thousand sayings like “If it’s worth doing at all – do it right”. My mom is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for creativity. I have had professional mentors and emotional mentors. Actually, I tend to watch people all the time and I have many mentors. Many mentors are much younger than I. I love people and to learn about their experiences, lives, and dreams. You, my friend, are an awesome guy and I thank you for sharing your gift of story telling and insight with us.
JC….First off, do you have 2 friends named Sue?
What a great reminder that we can be mentors and heroes in our day-to-day interactions with others. If we all made a positive impact on each life we touched….wow! What a world this would be.
In reflecting on the mentors in my life, (and there are way too many to name) I realize they were just normal people who took the time to care. Thanks for making my heart smile with gratitude today.
You truly have a beautiful gift….and like Diane, I thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Hugs!
My brother from another mother, I have never really stopped and thought about my mentors until just now. I never stop and think very often about what has already happened in my life because I am always pressing forward for what I have to get done. But this time, just this one time, you my friend have made me stop and ponder. (Albeit at 10am on a Friday when I have a boat load of stuff on my desk that needs to get done, so I can get mom to radiation treatment at 11:30, get the boys off the bus at 3:45, go to a wake for a freinds Dad, meet my wife at the gym and hand off the kids, pick up two teamates and head for Rotterdam, NY for a match in the morning.) I am sitting here, doing what I do worst, typing thoughts about my past, and I guess my future too. The really funny thing is, I never knew any of these people were mentoring me then, until now as I raise my 3 boys, I look back on moments with these very special people and what they taught me, and how I am teaching the boys the same things. Well, here it goes.
My Priest, Cannon William Shumaker (yes we named our William after him), Brown Grad, Rhode Scholar, father of 5, Marine and a true Rabbi in all senses of the word taught me about faith, and some religion too, but mostly about faith. He taught me how to learn, and how to ask really deep questions, about myself and others.
My high school baseball coach, Bob Dickerman. He taught me how to understand a game that I was really not that good at. He taught me how to appreciate it, and he taught me how to coach the game. I just realised that fact over the past couple of years coaching the boys.
My college rifle coach, Mick Hourigan. There is not enough time in the world to describe the patience this man had with me. He worked so hard to unleash my potential as a student and as an athlete. He was great at listening, and then aiming me toward a solution that he allowed me to uncover, without taking any credit. Becasue of this he took four mediocre shooters and turned us into All Americans, and a fourth place NCAA Championship.
My Dad for teaching me patience and work ethic, I have never met anyone that worked as hard as he did, for as long as he did.
My three boys are probably my biggest mentors, they lift my expectations for myself every day. They dont allow me to be the slacker that I really want to be. They motivate me in every aspect of my life, and I didnt really realize that until I read The Large Man today.
Thank you J.C. for broadening my mind, you too are a Mentor, to so many. Keep up the good work.
I love you MAN!