Do people really change?
I’m sure that they can, but how often does it actually happen? Many times in my life I’ve encountered people who say that they’re “different now” when in fact within a matter of days they are back to their old habits. I’m guilty of this myself. To truly change is hard. I think that in instituting change in ourselves, we all have good intentions, and we really believe in the sustainability of our self-growth—but when faced with challenge we often respond with our tried and true unsavory tactics. This isn’t because we’re insincere, or because we aren’t really trying to be better—it’s because it is what we know and what we are comfortable with. It’s because we are human.
But when someone’s capacity, willingness and ability to alter their behavior directly affects YOU, how many times can you forgive, forget and allow that person back in? There has to be a point in which you value the truth in EXPERIENCE over the words that come out of someone’s mouth. There has to be a point at which you stop giving people chances despite the fact that they are human, despite the fact that they may (but also may not) mean well, and despite the fact that every fiber of your being wants to give them another chance. Because remember, you’re also trying to change.
