Can a leopard change its spots?

[Cricket]

They say a leopard cannot change its spots but what about people?

Is it possible for people to truly change?

Why? Why not? Have you changed?

[MrSS]

Indeed leopard cannot changed their spots, it's part of their genetics.
But as for people ... I believe people really changed:

Though good or bad, they (we) really changed. It's hard to tell it ourselves, but other people can.

Have I changed?
My friends said, yes, I was changed. They said I transformed from a jolly kid into a very serious man. They find it hard now to crack jokes with me. Perhaps I can say it's because of through the years I had challenging-dramatic life. And I'd survived it. Now I can laugh it all. Though, I'm still the Carl (my real name) they know who willing to listen and give them a tap at their back whenever they feel sober.

I also witnessed some of my friends changed, I'm not sure what's the reason, some told me because they'd already achieved something in their live; but I still hold on to the fact once we were friends and nothing can erase that from my heart.

I know people really changed for some different reasons ... Some are because of what happened to their life (good or bad) and some changed into something hard to figure out why. No matter how much they changed, all I am expecting is ... they changed for betterment of themselves, not to try to be somebody else.

[mjtaylor]

No. I have tried and tried and tried to not come off as an arrogant know-it-all and you can all see the results.

I do think I am less annoying than I used to be ... but I am not sure.

And I have tried to shift my thinking, not just appear to be different. I have tried to remember that if I am good at something or know something it is a gift from the Divine or my genes, but not all that much credit to me.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

No. I have tried and tried and tried to not come off as an arrogant know-it-all and you can all see the results.

I do think I am less annoying than I used to be ... but I am not sure.

And I have tried to shift my thinking, not just appear to be different. I have tried to remember that if I am good at something or know something it is a gift from the Divine or my genes, but not all that much credit to me.

I don't think you come across as a know-it-all. Your kind and loving nature is very apparent in who you are.

[blackjackria]

There is no permanent things in this world but changes.

[cameronpalte]

People can truly change if they manage to change their mindset. If they change their mindset then yes they truly can change.

[mjtaylor]

Originally Posted by Cricket

I don't think you come across as a know-it-all. Your kind and loving nature is very apparent in who you are.

Thank you! I particularly need to hear that today.

Of course, it might be because your leadership evokes my kind and loving side.

[GMF]

Originally Posted by Magicbaby

Just eating fish is cats' nature. It is hard to make they eat grass. Only if they meet fish, their conditioned reflex will be eating.

But that's wrong. Many cats don't like fish and they do eat grass.

[Cricket]

Yes and no.

Of course, no matter what I do, I am never going to be tall and I am always going to be a bit ADHD. It is simply part of who I am. I also believe our character is pretty much set in stone. Most everything else though (in my humble opinion) we really have full of control of but it comes down to wanting to change so much that we will do whatever it takes.

[Dan]

I think people can change somewhat by altering their perspective on life.

If we are talking about change being a good thing then perhaps we don't change who we are/were with particular people, because those people created in us the negative personality --- but by learning the lessons and taking on board our reactions to situations, and growing, I believe we can change for the future, and that our interactions with new people, will be from a different perspective and thus create new and better realities for us

I'm a much different person than I was 2-3 years ago. Am I a better person? That's difficult to answer. I believe I am wiser and more likely in future to get the best for myself, BUT does that make me a better person in humanities eyes? Well I'm not as "available" to be a doormat as I used to be, so maybe not. Maybe humanity would view my personality change as for the worse?

I won't apologise for it though, because life has lead me down these roads and taught me these particular lessons, and if I do not learn these lessons and continue to stay the same then I continue to make the same mistakes in life...

[G10]

Originally Posted by Cricket

I think you come across as a know-it-all. Your kind and loving nature is non apparent in who you are.

Aha!

I so knew you wouldn't be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the Crick-meister! I know, I am just plain evil and a trouble maker ;-)

Regarding people changing, I trully believe they can and do, they just need to want it from the heart. Sometimes events in life happen that can open our eyes a little more and make us strive to be a better (though sometimes worse) person.

[MAT]

I traded in my leopard spots for some tiger stripes!
Yes, i do believe people can change. I have changed. I have further to go too!