Change is a Four Letter Word

Yes, I know how to count, but that’s a saying (apparently cited by someone really philosophical but poor in math). One of my favorite quotes is “the only constant in life is change.” But if change is so damn frequent, then why is it so hard for people to change? Surely we change everything… our jobs, partners, house, cars, values, profile pictures, the color of our hair… so why not ourselves?

Whether you admit it or not, everyone is guilty of trying/hoping/wishing to change someone into something they’re not. “Oh he’ll change” we tell ourselves, in hopes of denying what’s so blatantly obvious. Changing our ways and habits is like trying to keep a sand castle built before the ocean washes it away. No matter how big your castle is, no matter how far away you build it… the water always seeps through. Sometimes people change for what appears to be forever, where in reality, is just a matter of time before the next wave hits.

But of course, as always, there are exceptions to the rule. An ex convict can truly reform once he leaves prison and become a civilized individual (or a rap artist, for that matter). A mother can abstain from partying and start changing diapers. A student can start staying after school for tutoring instead of detention. A boyfriend can start being faithful after cheating the first ten times. (OR maybe not! – Just remember ladies, you can transform a frog into a prince charming, but you can’t turn a dog into a man).

The simple truth is that change is a necessity. If you had the mentality of a 15 year old, you would never be able to raise a child as a 25 year old. If you had the experience of a novice, you would never reach the heights of a CEO. Some changes are inevitable, some intended, and yet some simply impossible…