Joel A Levy » Personal Growth

Live your life splendidly

Joel Levy — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:14:37 +0000

Get out the box of tissues and watch this young man on China’s Got Talent. He lost his arms at the age of ten after being accidentally electrocuted while playing with a friend. After overcoming his initial depression, he formulated a philosophy for his life that is sure to take him to unimaginable heights. We all have many challenges in our lives, and there is no person who has it easy, regardless of how things may appear on the outside. Thing is, there is no stopping a person with a goal, a drive, a positive outlook, and the willingness to put the work in, no matter what. In the case of this young man, the loss of his arms compelled him to learn to do everything with his feet – including playing the piano. Watch this true champion of life and get inspired. Often, what at first seems like an obstacle, if looked a properly, is really the beginning of an opportunity.

Quote of the Week – 8/29/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:00:57 +0000

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”
Catherine Ponder

Quote of the Week – 8/22/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:00:50 +0000

“Take total responsibility for your mistakes, own up to them, correct them if you can, and move on.”
Shihan Joel Levy, M.Ed.

Quote of the Week – 8/15/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:00:08 +0000

“It is our personal responsibility to make the most of the life we were given.”
Shihan Joel Levy, M.Ed.

Quote of the Week – 8/8/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:00:46 +0000

“Giving a child responsibility is the best thing you can do to build their self-worth.”
Shihan Joel Levy, M.Ed.

Quote of the Week – 8/1/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:00:25 +0000

“Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon them and to let them know that you trust them.”
Booker T. Washington
1856-1915, Educator and Writer

How do you eat an elephant?

Joel Levy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:51:52 +0000

Q: How do you eat an elephant?
A: One bite at a time.

In the ring and in life we are constantly learning new skills and refining old ones. It would be very overwhelming to think we have to master it all at once.

A much more empowering perspective is to realize that mastery of anything, be it life in the ring or life in general, is a process in which one continues to evolve and grow.

Like undertaking the seemingly impossible task of eating an elephant, learning and mastering any new skill is best achieved one bite and one step at a time. Take heart in knowing that the master of anything was once a struggling beginner.

Let me know what new skills you are mastering so I can send you a virtual or personal ‘high five’ to celebrate your hard work and progress.

Dedicated to helping you become a black belt (champion) in life.

Photo: monosodium

Quote of the Week – 7/25/2010

Joel Levy — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:00:06 +0000

“I realize that humor isn’t for everyone. It’s only for people who want to have fun, enjoy life, and feel alive.”
Anne Wilson Schaef

Fall seven times get up eight

Joel Levy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:08:12 +0000

This week I took my seven year old son to the skateboard shop and set him up with all the gear. Board, helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads. He felt like such a big boy with his cool new gear. He even got some cool new skateboarding sneakers to top it off.

Since skateboards and skate gear aren’t meant to be looked at the next evening was a trip to the skate park where the big boys play.

When we got there he ran right in and got on his new board. I just stood there for a minute in amazement watching skateboards, bmx bikes, scooters, and a unicycle whizzing by at lightning speeds, with wiry, muscular young men jumping, flipping twisting, turning, and flying on them.

I thought, “Ok – deep breath, he’ll survive”. As for my son, he was off exploring the park, completely unaffected by what was going on all around him.

The first time he fell off his ‘big boy board’ I thought – ok he’s gonna fall, its part of learning. By the 10th I thought – wow, he is pretty tough, and he is not giving up. By the 15th or 20th time he fell, the older guys were starting to notice him and say things like “Man that kid has b*lls!” Eventually he was able to manage small ramps, then bigger ones, then he went for a serious one. He got some coaching from experienced skaters and I watched and held my breath.

He stood for a minute, then dropped in and sure enough – wiped out, smacked his face on the ramp and came up with a bloody lip. He popped up and said “I’m ok!” And got right back on his board.

Despite my private little minor coronary, he taught us all a very valuable lesson that day. No matter how many times you fall off your board, ignore the minor scrapes and bruises, and get right back on and ride. Life is just like that, and the only failure is to not get back on your board and try again.

By the way, we went back two days later, and after a few more falls and face plants, he was able to drop in on and ride the big boy half pipe – harder than what he had busted his face on two days earlier.

Update: While I don’t have that really nasty spill, here is some footage I took on my blackberry of the boy’s first and second day on his skateboard. I appreciate your comments.

Photo: taliesin from morguefile.com

Everyone is important

Joel Levy — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:38:05 +0000

What is the name of the person that cleans the building? What is the name of the person who picks up the garbage? You don’t know? Why not? Without these people you would have a dirty building that was filled with garbage. Every person is important, and should be made to feel important. Don’t think that because one person works in an office, and another person cleans that one is more important than the other. Each is important in their own way. They are all like different parts of the body, and all contribute something of value to the whole. If one of them were injured or missing, the entire body would be affected. Next time you see somebody doing a job that you think is not very important, think again how it would be if nobody did that job. You might even stop and offer them a smile and ask their name. It will cost you nothing to make another human being feel valued and appreciated, and you will earn their respect and friendship in return.