JDP

Have you ever gone months or better yet years without seeing someone? It could be a childhood friend, old school mate, or significant other. No matter the length of time or level of relationship with that individual we all at some point utter these words, “ wow you are still the same.” Rather out of excitement or sheer disappointment were either glad they are still the person we once knew and loved or marveled that they are not.

There are only two things in this world that are constant: that’s change and more change. However, on the other hand the more things change, the more things stay the same; or so they say. I have many thoughts as it relates to the above statements, however, I have to ask myself, how often do we change? Do we stay the same? Or do old habits die-hard?

Rather than people completely changing themselves, which would mean that they are different than they once where. I tend to believe that we evolve – to come forth gradually into being – into the people God intended us to be; some faster than others but we all end up exactly where we should. The decision that you make and the actions that you take upon this Earth are the means by which you evolve. However, at the truest essence of who we are, we don’t change. Physically, yes we differ throughout the years. Mentally, yes we learn new things that will provide us new outlooks and levels of understanding. Nonetheless, having said all of that, characteristically, we remain the same from the very beginning.

We cross people that want us to change and then we have people we change for. However, change for acceptance will never be your winning ticket. Enough people, better yet, the right people – the one’s that will bring value to your life – will accept you for who you really are. You will find people that will suggest that it takes strong people to seek to change themselves. I believe that it takes a stronger person to be who they really are.

If you’re waiting for someone to change, do yourself a favor and believe people when they show you who they are. If those you call friends can’t accept you for who you are, save your time and get some new friends. I said it before and I will say it again; you can’t change your friends but you can change your friends. Being you and only you, will allow people to accept you.

At some point in our life we all have waited for someone to show us an ounce of change because we didn’t like what we saw and we believed that it was more to that person. My suggestion is that you change the view. When people show you who they really are, please believe them.

I’ve been the same person since 1981. I’ve grown in some areas, learned different things; however, my personality is the same. Don’t believe me, ask my friends that have been there since day one. I’m consistently me. Who are you? This is only the beginning of the discussion. Part two will follow shortly.

JDP