A Reverence for our Mentors


S

Sgt. Mac

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When it comes to the skills that are shown on this Forum, there's not allot that is entirely new , or original. Many of these skills have been passed on down to us from many people before. We learn and acquire them, put them in our tool box, and hopefully we pass them down to others.

Even with that said. Even though we learn them and hope to master them they are not ours. They came from someone teaching you. Be it something you read on here, or in a book, or if you are fortunate to have a Mentor as I do in Terry Barney, it came from him or her.

I know that I could never pay back the debt, and express the sincere gratitude I have for Terry and for others who have shown me a skill, a tip or a trick. I will always owe them. That's how much stock I personally put into this.

My only hope is that after I have learned them, and use them my Mentors find happiness in that. And that someday I will be fortunate to teach and pass my Mentors knowledge down to some one else.

Dont forget who your Mentors are, show them some reverence
 
My mentor was my mother she started teaching me survival as soon as I could walk and talk.
 
I agree, almost all of this has done before. Nonetheless, that mentor had to put in the time become a Master of that knowledge. As it is a Master that can actually teach you a skill quicker than you could learn it by yourself.
 
This place has more mentors/teachers/elders per capita then any other forum I have ever been on. I have learned so much from so many. I am always humble and thankful to these folks.
 
Very well said Mac!

Too bad many folks don't see it that way these days. Sadly, the art of passing on seems to have...passed on.

True sincerity in your words my friend!!
 
Thanks for the reminder and well put. Show's your mentor-ship by posting this.
 
Bravo!!! Sgt.Mac,This forum has real mentors,not the ones that demand monetary compensation.Our mentors receive satisfaction from a simple Thank you.
The respect they have earned with their followers is priceless.

Thanks to Sgt.Mac for this post.
flaviln
 
Well said Mac.
I have seen quite alot of Original material Comes Out of here though and some of that is becoming standard for Bushcraft.Its hard to see someones hard work and homework slightly twisted and presented as a Original Breakthrough with out giving a little credit to where that Nugget of Knowledge came from or who influenced them to try it the way they did.If I were to thank folks that I have been fired up by and have been blown away with their skill and craft many of those folks would be From right here abouts, the Orchestra would start playing and I would be ushered off stage long before I was anywhere near Thanking and acknowledging all of These fine Folk, Your Name would be right there at the top Brother

Now I must get back to Training
lol
M/BK

192859.jpg
:14:
 
Not a day goes by where I do not regret never truely showing my appreciation to my Grandfather for raising me. My father was a douchebag, took off before I was a month old, met him twice in my whole life.

My Grandfather took the role, he was a Woodsman. A hunter, and fisherman. He loved nothing more, save for his family. A well respected man, as a testimate to this was the turn out to his awake.

I have much regret not going with him sometimes and choosing girlfriend time over woods time during my teens. Something I have to live with now. I do appreciate the time I did have however, and what I got to learn from him.

When I get to visit that part of the Adirondacks back home that he used to take me too, I still speak to him, and even shed a few tears only time you will see this man admit to crying lol.

Like many, we lost him when we needed him a little longer. He was 89 when he passed and his last winter he still went out during deer season, and walked over the mountain.

I will be lucky indeed to gain half the respect he earned in his life, and be as healthy as he was at that age, right before a surprise stroke took him from us.

While I have many who give me inspiration, he is my only Hero...
 
My father (RIP) was my mentor. He was not perfect, he was just a man but he did everything to teach us right and provide for the family. He taught me axe safety through years of splitting firewood together, knife safety after years of widdling together by the fire, fishing, hunting, hiking old logging roads, appreciation for nature and all she provides, fire arm safety and shooting.

As far as this forum, there are too many for me to thank. I have learned from so many of you. Many of you should stand up and take a bow in recognition for all you really do for this forum. I thank you all.
 
Nicely done, Sarge!

My father was my mentor. He gave me the skils that I have used over a lifetime. I have tried to pass them along to my nieces and nephews as well as Scout and Church groups (Sometimes one and the same) since I have no children of my own.

We'd be in a tough spot if we found ourselves out in the field and be forced to find out what works and what doesn't all on our own, through trial and error. How many of us would just have to lay down and die without this knowledge? Even something as basic as learning how to build a fire could save our lives someday.

Steve :14:
 
Thank you for this, Mac.
I think we own nothing in this life. Not skills or knowledge, not even life itself. We don't really 'live our lives', but life lives us. A force moving through us, using us...'good' and 'bad', light and darkness. The best we can do is get out of the way of our own lives and be in the mystery, the contradictions. I think that behind the skills we may learn and pass on, let pass through us, is something intangible...an attitude...an ease and lightness in the world. An acceptance and wonder at the world as it is. A simple awareness of place, this moment. The strike of flint and steel, calling up fire. The voice of the winds through the trees, the heat of the Sun on our bodies. The turning of the seasons. I think this is the greatest gift we can learn and pass on...a simple awareness of being in the world. Living well.
Anyway, thank you again for this post.
 
Well said.
Teaching is the highest expression of knowledge experience and skill.

I thank every one who has posted ther experiences on here.
 
Thx Mac. I have learned more than I can express here from several people.

My favorite teachers are those openly attest to their own continual learning.

Here and elsewhere, I am grateful to my teachers for bearing with my slow-fire style.
 
A huge collective thanks for saying it Mac. We feel it too. Passing it on and paying it forward. Very heart felt. To our Mentors, past, present and future.
 
Mentors are one part of the equation, peers are the other. Teaching a skill takes time and dedication as does learning it. The friends and buddies who go out in the field and help one another remember skills taught, refine techniques and coach one another into application need also be mentioned. Taught skills can be effervescent if not for practice and a supportive community to value and appreciate a shared skill. BUSA provides a stronger service in its peer network than it does mentors. Collectively, I think this is what makes the place far more important than a canteena with a few experts in residence. Its a community.
 
kgd said:
Mentors are one part of the equation, peers are the other. Teaching a skill takes time and dedication as does learning it. The friends and buddies who go out in the field and help one another remember skills taught, refine techniques and coach one another into application need also be mentioned. Taught skills can be effervescent if not for practice and a supportive community to value and appreciate a shared skill. BUSA provides a stronger service in its peer network than it does mentors. Collectively, I think this is what makes the place far more important than a canteena with a few experts in residence. Its a community.
Click to expand...

Well said Bro
 
When we think we have mastered a skill, it is time to go and try to teach it to someone else. That humbling experience will make clear just how well you have really mastered the skill.

Mentors are those who have taught us, and like others here have said, the only way we can pay them back is by passing the knowledge and skill on.

Thanks, Mac.
 
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