Waiting for a Mentor: Find the joy of mentoring a child

"Happiness is a habit - cultivate it."-Elbert Hubbard

Winter drags on while people keep walking their well-worn paths to school and work. This time of year is a challenge for a lot of people, but for others, the cold, dreary days don't seem to drag them down. What is their secret?

Maybe it's because happiness is a habit, and folks need to choose it intentionally. What are some of those choices? How about appreciating what one has, being considerate and forgiving, and laughing? Another more important choice would be investing in friendships and relationships with others.

There is a simple joy in spending time with a child-the smiles and heartaches, the satisfaction of influencing a life. Feeling a little blue and drained this winter? Open your heart and your life to a child. Be a mentor.

There are currently 30 children waiting for a Kinship Partners mentor in the Brainerd lakes area. These are incredible kids, loaded with promise and potential, living in our towns and desiring to be part of your world.

With offices in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Crosby, and Staples, Kinship Partners serves area families by providing positive role models to youths ages 5 to 14 years old. Mentors can be individuals, couples or families.

For more information about becoming a Kinship Partners mentor, call 218-829-4606, or visit www.kinshippartners.org .