"A leopard doesn't change his spots." I never thought about it before, but that cliche is only used in a negative sense. If a person is known for his honesty, no one would use the saying to defend him against a charge of untruthfulness. This implies that only our negative traits are static but that our good qualities are subject to erosion. I think that in most cases exactly the opposite is true.Admirable traits like compassion, loyalty, honesty and kindness are seldom lost. Our good qualities may get overshadowed at times, but they stay with us. We can work to diminish our unfavorable attributes, however, so they cast little or no shadow. I believe in each of us lives a great capacity to learn, grow and improve. If you have resolved to be better about something inside of yourself, know that it will take time and energy to put your plan into effect.
The most difficult part is making the change permanent. Like anything worthwhile, it will be challenging and there will be setbacks. At times you will want to give up. You may think your setbacks indicate an inherent inability to do what you set out to do. Making a lasting change, though, does not mean you can never fail or revert.
Think of your transformation as a test of endurance and distance, because there is no finish line. As long as you continue to get back on the path you have mapped out, the detours will become less frequent and easier to avoid. Eventually you'll find that the people who love you are walking in your footsteps or right beside you, or are up ahead cheering you on.
