Can People Change?

Can people change? That is a good question. I believe the answer to that is yes, but the person has to want to change in order for that to happen. Some people change for the better, and others change for the worse over time. Normally a person changes when something drastic happens in their life. There are numerous reasons a person can change but some of the obvious would be the death of a loved one, marriage, divorce, having children, loss of a job, the opportunity to work in their dream job, and the list goes on and on. Notice some of the changes were positive and others were not so good.

There is that word again that not many of us like to hear ~ CHANGE. Yes, I said it, change. Change is that thing that comes into our life and makes what we know as familiar and things we consider comfortable in our life different. Many of us like to keep the same routine, the same daily grind, and the same people around us each and everyday. If we are happy and content with our everyday scenarios, that is great. But if we are not 100% happy with the way things are going or the way our life is headed, then it's time to think about making a change so that we can improve our current situation.

I believe the first step in making a change is to figure out what you want in life. Yes, YOU as an individual. You have to be totally content and happy with yourself before you can move on in life. And if you are not completely happy with yourself, take the necessary steps to make it happen. Whether that is to explore new territory, push things out of your life that aren't what you need right then, stop a bad habit, whatever it is - do what it takes to find yourself and make peace within yourself. For when you are happy with yourself, you will gain so much more out of life and live life to its fullest extent without even trying. It will just come natural to you if you are happy within yourself. And don't forget prayer ~ pray, pray, and pray some more. With the Lord's guidance and doing what you feel is right, you will find yourself soon enough. And there is no better feeling in the world than knowing you are doing the right thing, living as you should be, and being happy with yourself.

So once you figure out who you really are, you are then ready to move forward and let go of the past, let go of the questions in your mind, and look ahead to the future. The key to remember in finding yourself is that there is no time limit set in stone. But the longer it takes to find yourself, the more fun and adventures you might incur, but the more you might also be missing out on life. We are only given so much time here which is 24 hours a day for an uncertain number of days on earth, so do what you need to do. Remember it's not about the destination, it's about the journey along the way where we will learn who we truly are as an individual. So once you are ready to move on, do it! Don't let anything hold you back. Go achieve your goals, chase your dreams, go live life! If that means letting go of the familiar and doing something you have never done, then go for it. If that means chasing something you have always wanted or know is right for you, then reach out and don't stop until you grab on to it. Whatever it is you feel you are supposed to do on this earth and whatever you feel is in God's plan for your life, go for it. What are you waiting for?

When we reach the point of being happy with our self and who we are, we figure out what we want out of life, and then we reach for our dreams and goals, then what? It's sometimes an answer we have waited a long time to receive and it's sometimes walking into unknown territory. No matter what the situation, remember we must continue to seek the Lord's guidance day in and day out. And never forget that! He is the key element for us to live life to the fullest and carry out His plan for our life.

So back to my original question, can people change? I believe with all that said and done, it's hugely possible. I have asked myself that question about certain people my entire life or as long as I've known the person. Then there are others who I look at and say "they will never change." You all know someone like this. They are stubborn, set in their ways, and tend to always think they are right about everything. And even worse, they can never admit when they are wrong. Or if they do make a mistake, they rarely admit when they are at fault. Maybe you are even that very person I just described. I have met a few along the way, and if a person is that stubborn, I will either fade them out of my life or push them away eventually. We are all wrong sometimes, we all make mistakes, we all have faults and the sooner you accept that, the better. I will be the first to admit I am not perfect; nor will I ever be. None of us will ever be perfect in this world today. But we have to take the bad with the good and try to make the most of every situation in life.

I have had to deal with some pretty stubborn people in my lifetime. Sometimes it's easier to give in instead of argue. But the person I have evolved into since my divorce would have to argue with that point. I will cave on some issues if they aren't of monumental value. But if it's something I strongly believe in, I will stand my ground on my opinion and won't back down. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and I will respect theirs, as long as they will respect my views. I have learned a little secret to stubborn people that I will let you in on ~~ ready?? Ok, here goes....
"Nobody can be the biggest stubborn a** 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Everyone has a soft point somewhere. It's just a matter of finding that weakness or soft side, and using the components needed to bring that side out. " (My words of advice)

So did you just read that statement? Most of you will agree with me after reading that sentence. However, if you look at that statement and tell yourself that is isn't true, then YOU, my friend, are one of those stubborn people that needs to rethink how you treat people and have more respect for today's society!! Even Good Old Mr. Scrooge had a heart in the long run!

Here is another important point to remember. All of life's events, people that have come into our lives, people that have exited our lives, everything that has happened to us at this point in time right now that you are reading this has made you into the person you are today. Now the million dollar question is - do you like the person you are right now in time? Are you happy with yourself as a person in the current life scenario at this exact moment in time? If yes, again, congratulations! You are at a point most people in their life are not. Your job is to stay happy with who are you and help others come to that point in their lives. Or be an influence to others and make them realize they need to become content with themselves first. (Thank you JMS ~ I love you darling!)

We must all endure life's changes which in turn means we must change ourselves and adjust our life to the current situation. Sometimes we do not always like what life throws at us, but we must roll with it. I hear all the time about bad things that have happened to people, and they blame what has happened in their life for the person they have become today. I know firsthand that life isn't fair. I watched my 9 day old daughter die in the arms of her daddy 6 years ago. That is an image that will be forever engraved in my mind. But I have also had the wonderful blessing of watching my two other daughters grow up into the sweet sassy little darlings they are today. I have endured the breaking up of a 10 year marriage into divorce. That was not in my original plan when I got married years ago, but God had a different direction for my life then I originally thought. Since then I have been blessed abundantly in life! But it's also at that point in time of my life I really turned to God and gave it all over to him, and faithfully started following the Lord. I am not one to preach on a street corner, but I do give Him credit for all things in my life. For without His guidance and blessings, I would not be where I am today nor would I be the person I have become today.

I believe we can all change if we want to change. I believe life is what we make of it; and we choose how we live. I believe if something is meant to happen or meant to be, it will be when the time is right. I do not have all the answers in this world; nor do I want all the answers. I have caught myself saying in the past that I would love to have a crystal ball to know my future, but what fun would that be? It would spoil the surprises of life, good and bad. I have also learned I have to develop patience in a situation when I want something to happen. I have learned things will happen how they should and when the time is right, if we accept that fact of life. We must always be prepared for changes in life, big or small, good or bad. We never know what life holds one day to the next. All I can say is I am learning to be happy with life, learning to be happy with my current scenario, learning to be open minded about changes in the future, and learning who I really am as a person everyday. I am sure not the same person I was two years ago, or even a year ago. I have come so far in life and grown in myself and in the Lord. It's amazing how great life can be when you relinquish all your troubles to Him and leave it ALL in His hands. In time, He will show you the way, even if it's a road you never expected your life to lead!

My advice for the day is to remember life is what you make it. If you are not happy with something in life, do what it takes to change that and make yourself happy. If you haven't found yourself, pray that God will help you do that in the near future. If you are walking in this world and feel alone or lost, you don't have to be. Ask the Lord to come into your heart and show you the way; show you His plan for your life. You would be amazed what a little prayer would do. It can truly change your life! If you need to make changes in your life, don't sit back and think about it; take action. Nobody other than yourself can choose what you do with your life, so take initiative and make things happen for yourself. Nobody is going to lead you by the hand and say "do this" or "do that"; all the choices you make in your life are ultimately up to you. And with prayer and the Lord's guidance, you will eventually come to where He wants you to be. It might take awhile to get where you are going, but if the treasure at the end of the rainbow is truly worth it, then so will the journey along the way. God Bless!