She sat across the table from me with eyes full of expectancy.

Like you, and like me she had a dream burning within her.

This girl had something special going for her. She had the makings of a world changer and she wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers. She was smart enough to know she didn’t want to fall into the same trap as her peers. Whatever that trap may be.

So she asked question after question barely noticing her coffee getting cold.

I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I had all the answers. But I was wise enough to carve out time in my day to hash them out with her.

The irony of the whole situation is that I found myself on the other side of the table this past week. Seeking words of wisdom from one of my friends I had no doubt in my mind the great things I want to accomplish cannot be achieved without input from others.

Is it any wonder that those who truly fulfill their destiny and achieve insurmountable tasks are the ones seeking mentors?

It really doesn’t matter what stage you are at, what your age is, whether you are just starting out or sliding into home base. We all have times in life where we find ourselves coaching and being coached.

Whether you realize it or not people are watching and being influenced by your actions, attitudes and decisions. And you my friend are watching others and doing the same. It doesn’t matter how independent we think we are – the people around us and those we look up to influence our decisions and our choices one way or another.

Since life doesn’t come with an instruction manual it should at least come with a few warning labels.

“Be cautious of who you hang around they are influencing you with their actions.”

The same goes for the place you work, the activities you participate in, church, school, clubs etc. One day you wake up wondering how you got so far from your dreams.

One girl’s night out at a time.

Unfortunately we fall into the comparison trap thinking others have had it so easy. We fail to realize that when it comes down to it we all have choices.

Take King Solomon for example. From the outside looking in he had every advantage as King David’s son. And making the choice to ask God for wisdom – brilliant! It should’ve been smooth sailing for the rest of his life. His wisdom garnered him wealth and celebrity status across the world.

So what did he do? He fell into the same trap of allowing those around him to influence his choices. His decisions could’ve been made by accessing his wisdom but he gave into peer pressure instead.

As I studied Wisdom Whispers recently ( a free study on King Solomon) I learned fulfillment in life comes from more than wisdom and wealth. I also learned I want to spend my life encouraging others to figure out what fulfillment means to them. ( Before it’s too late).

So, I’m having life altering coffee dates. What are you doing? I admire the tenacity of the girl across the table. She is seeking more than wisdom, she is pursuing life by seeking direction from those who have gone before her.

I don’t have all the answers but she has all the ambition.

What does fulfillment look like for you? Seek some words of wisdom over coffee this week and let me know how it goes!