Guide & Guardian
Being raised to appreciate my body and not to feel ashamed nor embarrassed of being nude in from of other males. Having a nudist mentor to guide me through my early years of becoming a nudist. The bonding I've received with my mentor made for a closer relationship, friendship, and companionship as we did activities nude together. Building confidence in myself due to my mentor and confident to inspire myself that I can achieve any goal I set. Also gaining self respect. Some of the activities that would grow a stronger bond was hiking and swimming and jumping off a cliff. Also some domestic activities like cooking on a grill and baking other life skills. Thought my time with my mentor was short, having that mentor made me and molded me into the man I was supposed to be.
How were mentored and bonded to another male nudist? What is a memory you like to share of how you bonded with your mentor?
As a younger man I never found any good long-term mentors, clothed or naked. Perhaps it has something to do with having an unusual personality (INFJ). I even had a professional counselor tell me after three years of therapy that she didn't understand me (ouch!). One on one relationships are unfortunately viewed with suspicion in today's sexual abuse triggered world. That makes mentoring - especially naked - difficult. In addition, many people who could use help often don't realize it, so you're ahead of the curve in that way.
Here's my advice on mentoring: 1) Follow the old saying "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." 2) Understand you will likely learn and get more from giving than receiving, or being a mentor instead of a mentee. 3) Some people need A LOT of help and you really can't do much. Focus on them. Giving them attention and compassion is usually more important than "results." 4) Realize your tremendous power in reflecting back people's wisdom to themselves, helping them see their own answers. 5) Be willing to keep the mentor/mentee status flexible; I for one am often embarassed how much I have to learn from men young enough to be my son.s 6) Keep on showing up and you'll find answers in the oddest people and places - it's all a wonderful process. 7) Don't focus on clothes or nudism but consider your that birthday suit is the most comfortable, washable, vulnerable, free and honest one available.
Good luck! You are the gift!
Andy
What an amazing and insightful message. In many respects I have followed your thinking for the past twenty plus years in helping other men to overcome their body issues and inhibitions. Its been a fun and rewarding journey both for the others and for me. I hope we both can continue to educate and indoctrinate more men to our wonderful lifestyle.
Nude hugs
Ed
Oh definitely. For me it was dad and grandparents. Mom was a little reluctant but was ok with casual nudity. But my dad raised me to be nudist and I'm raising my little one the same way. Having a mentor definitely helps. Usually the dads need to lead by example.
I suspect everyone has a different view on how a 'mentor' should attempt to guide a young man or even early teenager in the trials of life. This is true in both the textile & non world; I believe this effort has been sadly lacking across the board. Perhaps that would explain the magnitude of 'whacked out' behavior that seems to be so prevalent. Or, it could be the media just searching for 'clicks' and thus more revenue. Who knows for sure. But back to the topic, my mentors (unbeknownst to them) were mostly 30s & 40s men, professional, semi-professional & top level tradesmen who were involved in my sport. There were married, single & divorced athletic type guys all along the 'spirited' spectrum. Their behavior, sportsmanship, group rapport, obvious good nature and jovial acceptance of yours truly served as a perfect example for this somewhat 'unusual' young kid that felt effectively ostracized by his teen peers. They instilled in me a value system and ideals I still carry today. With this in mind, if you happen to be out participating in an activity, remember that someone is paying attention. You might not notice ... but they are. You can unknowingly make a huge difference in someone's future. It really can make difference.
I suspect everyone has a different view on how a 'mentor' should attempt to guide a young man or even early teenager in the trials of life. This is true in both the textile & non world; I believe this effort has been sadly lacking across the board. Perhaps that would explain the magnitude of 'whacked out' behavior that seems to be so prevalent. Or, it could be the media just searching for 'clicks' and thus more revenue. Who knows for sure. But back to the topic, my mentors (unbeknownst to them) were mostly 30s & 40s men, professional, semi-professional & top level tradesmen who were involved in my sport. There were married, single & divorced athletic type guys all along the 'spirited' spectrum. Their behavior, sportsmanship, group rapport, obvious good nature and jovial acceptance of yours truly served as a perfect example for this somewhat 'unusual' young kid that felt effectively ostracized by his teen peers. They instilled in me a value system and ideals I still carry today. With this in mind, if you happen to be out participating in an activity, remember that someone is paying attention. You might not notice ... but they are. You can unknowingly make a huge difference in someone's future. It really can make difference.
What sport was it?
As a younger man I never found any good long-term mentors, clothed or naked. Perhaps it has something to do with having an unusual personality (INFJ). I even had a professional counselor tell me after three years of therapy that she didn't understand me (ouch!). One on one relationships are unfortunately viewed with suspicion in today's sexual abuse triggered world. That makes mentoring - especially naked - difficult. In addition, many people who could use help often don't realize it, so you're ahead of the curve in that way.Here's my advice on mentoring: 1) Follow the old saying "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." 2) Understand you will likely learn and get more from giving than receiving, or being a mentor instead of a mentee. 3) Some people need A LOT of help and you really can't do much. Focus on them. Giving them attention and compassion is usually more important than "results." 4) Realize your tremendous power in reflecting back people's wisdom to themselves, helping them see their own answers. 5) Be willing to keep the mentor/mentee status flexible; I for one am often embarassed how much I have to learn from men young enough to be my son.s 6) Keep on showing up and you'll find answers in the oddest people and places - it's all a wonderful process. 7) Don't focus on clothes or nudism but consider your that birthday suit is the most comfortable, washable, vulnerable, free and honest one available.Good luck! You are the gift!
Great words of advice.
I think I had a great introduction to nudism. I didn't have a mentor or specific guardian. It was more of a village. I started nudism in Florida at Cliente'. I know that place has a reputation, but I was only there for the 5k they had that day. I meet up with a newbie nudist that I had met on Craigslist for the race (I know I got lucky with that one too. He was not a creep and is still one of my best buds to this day). After the race, him and I chilled by the pool and met a few more younger people. Some how I got introduced to the volleyball community down there and my world opened up. The nudist volleyball community/Tikis became my mentors. There are some many guys there that shared their experiences and made me feel welcomed. Even when I moved from Florida to Virginia, I spent my first weekend in Virginia at a nudist resort because my friends from Florida knew people up there. I am forever grateful. Now I am overseas and miss that community.
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