Can A Zebra Change Its Stripes?

When the student is READY, the teacher appears. We just need to be ready all the time incase the student is. :)

Gary,

I love the photo of the zebra! Only we can change ourselves but that comes by the influence of others, thoughts, words or deeds. It all depends on when those influences actually take hold. "Walk the talk " does influence others. Just look @ your posts! Wouldn't miss them for the world!

Gary, what is the old saying... Men marry women hoping that they will never change, and they always do.  Women marry men hoping to change them, and they never can!    I know I can't even manage to change my own bad habits, so I can't expect to change someone else. 

Gary -  This post reminds me of the end scene in Rocky IV;)  Adaptation seems to be a key to life.  Change then becomes inevitable.  Sometimes it is a want thing and sometimes it is a need thing. 

Gary - Usually, a 'zebra' does not change unless there is a personal reason that compels the change.  What bothers me are the 'zebras' who don't change their stripes but say one thing and mean another!  My philosophy - Have a belief and stand up for it!  Thanks!

Mary

Hi Gary:

I see the analogy of "zebra's stripes" relating to the way people are "made of".

So, my vote is for, no...you can't change a zebra's stripes.

But obviously, pink would be the color choice if we could!!!

They only change their stripes if they want to, not just because we want them to.

Gary, words without commitment are just letters of the alphabet....commitment is the glue which makes the words stick!  Yep....that sounds about right :-)

Good morning, Gary. I hate to admit this, but I think I'm a bit of a cynic on this one. I agree with the many others here who say the person has to want to change, and I really love what Gail MacMillan said. There have just been too many times where I've seen a person make a really bad choice, their friends call them on it, they say they'll never do it again, but guess what? I think you have to surround yourself with people who demonstrate in every part of their life -- personal and professional -- what you want to be because their integrity and character will, I believe, eventually "rub off" on you. For me, that's one of the choices I made to start making changes in me.

This can obviously go so many ways... It's all about what one might take away from a situation or message, my answer is going to be yes (sometimes).  Right from the beginning, as children we have to be taught.  We may start out doing a particular thing one way and after instruction we may have to change our ways.  After good practice, repetition, making a good habit of it... whatever it is, we've changed our stripes.  I know several people, including myself who've seen or experienced life change through faith would agree that would constitute changing your stripes or at leasing realizing you have them...   ...So then, is it possible for a person to be consciously conscience, unconsciously conscience or unconsciously unconscious of their stripes?  LOL! 

You are very right that we only really have power over our own change.  We can influence others though.  Some people are very influenced by what others think and will change to impress or emulate them.  Unfortunately our negative comments have more power than the positive sometimes.  One negative comment can undo hundreds of positive ones.

Hey Gary, Well I've learned that you can't change someone, they must be willing to change. However, it doesn't hurt to pray for that other person and let God do the work on their heart. :-)

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Changing stripes... I think at our core we stay who we are.  But our expression of that core is what we can change.  Like an alcoholic... they will always be an alcoholic, but they can choose to quit drinking.

I think we can all strongly influence other's behavior.  Look at you Gary... you put a mile on many people's days with your continual upbeat attitude and your encouragment of so many.  Do you change my core?  Probably not. But you DO change my expression of it.  In fact you have encouraged me to let my light shine.  Sorry if it's turned into a friggin floodlight!

Hi Gary--I think we can only be an influence if the person is ready to make the change.  They may find in the future that what we said made sense and then connect with it, but if they're not ready today, the change won't happen regardless what we say....

Gary - Some times we can have more impact than we realize and that's okay as long as it is in a good way.  This is especially true in the case of children.

I like this. You are right. Yes, you can change and adapt! Thanks for sharing.

I used to think I was pretty set in my ways, then I had kids and they changed me and I learn just as much from them as they do me. I think if we stop learning and growing life becomes depressing!

Every now and then someone will tell me something that shocks me... they say that I said something to them years ago and it did change their lives for the better.

Gary - We can definitely change ourselves.  As far as changing others, I think we can influence others, and try to be positive role models, but we cannot change others.  If others want to change, they have to find it within themselves to change, and find support from people who are willing to help them make the change.

Yes, we can change habits, we can not change values.

To replace a bad habit with a good one, you need to break the association with your emotions and the chemicals you've grown accustomed to, and re-wire your brain.....Yep, sounds like a lot of work, requires concentration and will~ yet, it is possible!