James Lehman – A Tribute to a Real Man and His Life
Recently, I learned that James Lehman, creator of the Total Transformation, died after battling a long illness. Although I never knew him personally, he made an impact on my life and on the lives of many parents and teenagers around the world. I want to take a moment to pay tribute to him.
James Lehman, who was abandoned as a child by his birth parents and then adopted by a caring family did what we all should aspire to do in life. He rose out of the ashes of his circumstances and created himself anew. Once a defiant, troubled teen, he grew up to become a therapist who helped countless young people turn around their lives and reconnect with the people who love and champion them more than anyone else on earth—their parents.
Why was James Lehman able to do this? Because he understood the experience of troubled, defiant teens from the inside out. He’d lived it. He knew the pain that comes from alienating yourself from the outside world, while secretly yearning to be a part of it. He knew that deep inside, these defiant teens wanted to do better, wanted desperately to feel better about themselves, but just didn’t know how.
As a young man, James worked to better himself and become a productive member of society. And as he did, he learned the steps and strategies that would ultimately become the Total Transformation and allow him to share his techniques with parents, so they could help their teens turn in a positive direction and ultimately, become productive members of society.
James Lehman’s story is a testament to the challenge of living. Within our circumstances, however bleak, are the gifts of strength, courage and self-knowledge that come when we strive to improve ourselves, to reach for better lives. These gifts are not for us alone—they are intended to be shared with others. This is what it’s all about.
Today, I am humbled by the great gifts that James Lehman left behind. Because you see, it’s not about what you acquire in life, but what you give to others.
I only hope that one day, I will see that I have risen as mightily to the challenge.
About the Author: Laura Ramirez is the author of the award-winning parenting book Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which teaches parents how to raise children to develop their strengths, think for themselves and lead productive lives. The book won a Nautilus Award from Martha Stewart’s company, Omnivision, which honors books that promote conscious living and social change.
