Abel Mutai, a runner from Kenya, was just a few feet from the finish line, but became confused with the signage and stopped, thinking he had completed the race. A Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening, started shouting at the Kenyan to continue running. Mutai didn’t know Spanish and didn’t understand. Realizing what was taking place, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.
A journalist asked Ivan, “Why did you do that?” Ivan replied, “My dream is that someday we can have a kind of community life where we push and help each other to win.”
The journalist insisted “But why did you let the Kenyan win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win. The race was his.” The journalist insisted, and again asked, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him and replied, “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor in that medal? What would my Mother think of that?”
This story is a powerful example of the beauty of humanity and a helping hand.
As mentors, this is our mission; to help others get to a place where they have the stability and support to choose to succeed in life. It isn’t our role to guarantee them success, it is our goal to give them hope and support that they can succeed if they so choose. Mentors don’t “push people to succeed,” but we do stand by their side reminding them that success means not giving up or stopping short of the finish line.
Applaud the different ways your mentee is becoming more successful. It is short-sighted if we only measure success in terms of money. While money is essential for survival, it isn’t everything. As your mentees move toward financial stability, help them recognize other successes along the way. Success can look like a mother taking time to play with her daughter; holding her child and giving needed time. It could look like a dad attending a child’s game or deciding to accomplish a neglected project and feeling a sense of accomplishment. It looks like children being connected to a fun community opportunity and feeling they have friends. Improved relationships, learning to control a temper, saying sorry, learning a new skill, handling a parenting dilemma with poise instead of anger—these are moments of success and constitute choices that bring fulfillment and purpose to life.
In the race of life, we all have moments when we need encouragement to keep moving forward. By following the example of Ivan Fernandez, we can become the guiding force that helps others realize their potential and achieve their personal victories. Let us strive to be mentors who not only inspire perseverance but also celebrate the diverse successes that define a fulfilling life. Together, we can build a community where every step forward is a shared triumph, and every success, no matter how small, is a testament to our collective strength and support.