Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3
Text Box: Yesterday, I visited my old university campus with some friends. While I had not been on campus for over twenty-five years, I have kept in touch with the friends that I made there. Walking around campus, and seeing all the new buildings, there was an unfamiliar feel. Even the old buildings had little impact. The only place that triggered memories was our original residence. Seeing the balcony of my old dorm reminded me of various incidents. Many of the people in our residence were constantly playing tricks on each other. One time I had stolen the mattress from a neighbor’s bedroom. I went to the balcony above hers, tied a rope around the mattress, and dangled it in front of her window. Of course when she returned from class, we were ready to torment her some more. As she reached out over the balcony to try and grab her mattress, I loosened the rope, and the mattress fell three stories to the ground. Then, when she emerged on the ground floor to retrieve her mattress, we surprised her with a few buckets of water from the third floor. Later, she did get even. As we walked around campus, we remembered various incidents. What became apparent was that it was not the place that was special but the people and relationships that had developed there. Whenever we meet with old friends, memories are triggered. These memories are usually about specific times that stood out, when we had fun or got in trouble or did something silly. While sometimes people can awaken painful memories, often it is the fun memories that really stand out. With each circle of friends, memories are developed through experiences. I am fortunate to have connected with many different social circles throughout my life. A few years ago I was taking a management training course, and we were discussing mentors. A mentor is defined as a trusted counselor or guide, someone who tutors and coaches through various life experiences. The instructor commented that most people are lucky to have one or two good mentors in their lives. My response was that I could immediately think of numerous mentors. Many people have been influential in my growth, and while I take credit for the person that I am, I cannot overlook the contribution of the many people who have shared guidance and knowledge. So why do I have so many friends? Why do I have so many mentors? Part of the explanation is the variety in my life. When someone holds one job for twenty years, they are lucky to have a mentor at work. In the same time frame, I have held numerous jobs, and have had mentors in many of them. I am also receptive to mentorship, and am pleased to learn from others. Mentors are more likely to offer their guidance to an open and receptive student. In the same way I have developed numerous friendships. Whether through work, school, parties, clubs, or healing groups, I am fortunate enough to be constantly meeting new people. By being open and receptive to contact, many people have felt comfortable talking to me. By being non-judgmental and supportive, people have kept talking to me and friendships have developed. Of course we can always think of examples where I was judgmental and/or non-supportive, and those are usually the circumstances where I did not make friends. A big part of our life is reflected in the people we have connected with. Family, friends, mentors, associates and acquaintances have all influenced me. In turn, I have influenced them. Relationships with people are one of the rewards of life, and thank god the world is full of them. © Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2006 First Published March 19, 2006

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It was not the place that was special, but the people and relationships that had developed there.