People Can Change!

Even when you don't think it's possible, that it's just out of their scope to be any different than how they how, they just might surprise you! Believe in change.  It's the only permanent aspect of life.  

Time and again I've been proved wrong.  Once I finally accepted that someone was never going to change, I adjusted my own outlook to include them in my life, or not in my life.  And then... they changed!  Was it that my own perception of their personality shifted once I fully accepted them for who they were, not wishing for anything different?  Or can you really teach an old dog new tricks?  Probably both. 

There is this fine line between loving someone and accepting who they are, faults and assets combined, having no desire for them to be any other way, and then seeing their potential and inspiring them to live up to it.  I don't think that is changing who they are, it's helping them to become better people.  I would hope they return the favor.  In the course of trying to per sway them to change, you may beat your head against that brick fall a few dozen times, but in the end it's worth it.  Because one day that individual will progress and realize that you just wanted the best for them; to feel better about themselves.

For me, witnessing that change is great inspiration. It restores my faith in human nature and in turn inspires me to strive for more.  You have to be that change you wish to see in this world. (Gandhi) And in my experience the best way to do that is to lead by example.  

Thank you to all those people who have made me believe.