Wednesday Real Talk

Do Elders and Mentors Still Matter?

Sometimes I find myself wondering about something.

Do elders and mentors still have a place in today’s world?

When I was growing up, the value of elders felt more visible. People stayed in the same communities longer, worked in the same jobs longer, and relationships had time to grow. Wisdom didn’t just come from books or information — it came from people who had lived through things.

You watched how they handled life.

You listened to their stories.

You learned from their experiences.

Today the world moves much faster.

People change jobs, cities, and communities often. Information is everywhere, right at our fingertips. Sometimes it can make it feel like experience and wisdom aren’t as valued as they once were.

But I believe something important still remains true.

Information is everywhere.

Wisdom is not.

Wisdom still comes from people who have lived long enough to see patterns in life. People who have faced challenges, made mistakes, learned lessons, and kept going anyway.

That kind of guidance still matters.

You can still see it in places where relationships have time to grow:

• Coaches guiding young athletes

• Teachers shaping their students

• Nurses helping new doctors learn

• Grandparents sharing life with grandchildren

• Artists mentoring younger creators

Those connections still exist, even if they’re quieter now.

I was reminded of that when thinking about the lifelong relationship between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his coach John Wooden. Their bond shows what true mentorship can look like — a connection that continues to influence a life long after the original reason they met.

The world may be louder today, but the need for guidance hasn’t gone away.

In fact, many younger people are quietly searching for mentors because life feels complicated.

And maybe that’s where elders still have a role.

Not to control the next generation.

But to stand beside them and say:

“I’ve walked some roads before you.

Let me share what I’ve learned.”

Real wisdom doesn’t disappear with time.

It simply waits for someone willing to listen.

— Lady Flava