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                   STEPPING STONES (TM) 

                          Issue 3 

                        May, 2001 

Welcome to "Stepping Stones" (TM), the newsletter of 
Her Mentor Center (TM).  Each month we highlight a 
mid-life woman's personal transition story.  We identify the 
specific skills illustrated in her story that you might find 
valuable in your own life.  In addition, we recommend and 
review valuable resources for you.  We are excited to be 
sharing experiences and information as we all journey 
through mid-life. 

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This month at a glance: 

I.    Phyllis' Story: The Path Less Travelled 

II.   Stepping Stones To Adventure Volunteering 

III.  Recommended Resources: Websites to Explore 

IV.   Our Invitation to You 

V.    About Us 

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    I. Phyllis' Story: The Path Less Travelled 


"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there 
is no path and leave a trail."        Ralph Waldo Emerson 


I feel as if I am living a dream, sometimes scared but most 
often excited by my travel and volunteer opportunities. 
In looking back, I recollect my hope of retiring early enough 
to travel off the beaten path.  Before I knew it, the safety of 
the intellectual journey spent in bookstores, at lectures and 
on the internet became the reality of leaving a gratifying 
and secure career for the unknown. 

Finding an international volunteer organization that provided 
a way to continue my life work in unique ways was a bridge 
that supported me through the transition.  Timid about the 
challenges of adventure travel, I pushed through the fear 
and inconvenience to experience unbelievable adventures. 

I had the privilege of impacting lives in developing 
countries and I was enriched by my connections with people 
from different and fascinating cultures.  While teaching 
English in a foreign language school, to eager Vietnamese 
students ranging in age from 10 to 74, I had the thrill of 
riding on the back of students' motor scooters, the main form 
of transportation in the Mekong Delta.  In a rural Tanzanian 
boarding school, I had the opportunity to counsel and serve as 
a role model for poor young women who had been identified as 
potential leaders in their communities.  I learned so much 
working side by side with a female psychologist testing 
students for learning problems in a home for severely disabled 
children in Quito, Ecuador. Through these kinds of experiences, 
I found countless mentors for seeing the world from a different 
perspective. 

I love sharing my skills and energy as a way not only to give 
back but also to challenge myself.  Each time I come home, 
the way I see and what I am looking for is somewhat changed. 
You may not understand that, because I am not even sure that 
I do.  I am in the midst of an ongoing reshaping process 
and do not know what the future will bring.  Yet, for now, 
I strongly affirm my commitment to nurture my passion for 
adventure, community and work in new and meaningful ways. 


"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life 
that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping 
himself."                         Ralph Waldo Emerson 

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     II. Stepping Stones To Adventure Volunteering 


In most cases, transition is the on-going process of moving 
from one place to another with some turmoil in between.  Since 
the process is a fluid one, the selected Steps that we highlight 
may not necessarily follow for you in the same order.  There is 
no strict formula for a successful transition, only guidelines. 
Everyone's story and timetable are different. 

There are many ways to transition to a lifestyle that includes 
travel with volunteer work.  So much depends on the kind of 
"baggage" you are carrying with you, hopefully no more than 
what will fit in the overhead compartment!  Some of the steps 
Phyllis took may help you once you begin your own unique 
journey. 

ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS: 

(1) Gather information through research. 
(2) Welcome new ideas and develop opportunities. 
(3) Examine your strengths, interests and past success. 
(4) Create a structure by setting goals, objectives and tasks. 
(5) Be open to revising your plan. 

PREPARE YOURSELF EMOTIONALLY: 

(1) Visualize your dreams. 
(2) Unleash your imagination. 
(3) Determine your risk taking and challenge quotient. 
(4) Explore your flexibility in unanticipated situations. 
(5) Be open to shifting your expectations. 

MOVE FORWARD: 

(1) Find a project you believe in and jump in. 
(2) Develop a network of like-minded people. 
(3) Connect with mentors as role models and resources. 
(4) Maintain a positive attitude by turning obstacles into 
    discoveries. 
(5) Be dedicated to your passion and vision.         

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       III. Recommended Resources: Websites to Explore 


(1) global volunteers.org

Founded in 1984, this private, nonprofit organization promotes 
"service-learning" by sending short term volunteer teams to 
work and live with local people in host communities.  The 
website is full of information describing the program's 
philosophy, volunteer opportunities in over 20 countries and 
the application process. 

(2) idealist.org 

Launched in 1996, this website is a rich community of 
nonprofit and volunteer resources.  You can: register for 
personal email updates on volunteer resources or work programs; 
offer your services as a volunteer by providing information 
about personal qualifications and interests; share ideas and 
experiences with others who have common interests. 

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                 IV. Our Invitation to You 

Do you have your own transition story?  We invite you to 
share it with our readers for the benefit of women who 
themselves may be dealing with similar changes.  The skills you 
used may be Stepping Stones for others.  If you are interested, 
please e-mail us at . 

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                        V. About Us 

HerMentorCenter.com provides information, support and 
direction for women undergoing mid-life transitions.  Having 
made these transitions ourselves, we are available to mentor 
you and to be your partners in mid-life. 

Her Mentor Center (TM) does not provide psychotherapy, 
consulting, or any other psychological or medical services 
or treatment.  If you feel the need for psychological help, 
you should contact your local mental health professional 
associations. 

To subscribe to "Stepping Stones" (TM), our free monthly 
newsletter, sign up at: 

http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/newsletter.html

To unsubscribe, go to 
http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/ 
newsletter.html and click "unsubscribe." 

To contact us, write to us at our e-mail address, 
Mentors@HerMentorCenter.com, 
or by telephone at (818) 773-7795 

Newsletters are available in our archives at: 

http://www.HerMentorCenter.com/archives.html


(c) HerMentorCenter, 2001     


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