It is like asking a Zebra to change the color of its stripes.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Change can’t or doesn’t happen overnight
Challenge #1
Zebras will never change their stripes, unless you paint them a different color?
Oftentimes this saying is used as a metaphor for human mental states. Is it fair to compare a physical attribute with a mental attribute?
When I metaphorically place anyone in this category as an offhand remark regarding their mental attributes is this the same as never forgiving any one of their trespasses?
Am I placing a stranglehold over the possibility of redemption?
These sayings become flippant remarks vs critically thinking and stopping my judgement of others. Why is it easier for me to be readily willing to pass judgement on my fellow humans? It becomes a matter of choosing the easy wrong over the hard right.
When thinking about this, I must remember to remove the plank out of my own eye before I attempt to remove the sliver from yours.
Challenge #2
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
At my workplace I am the, “Old Dog” I refuse to allow myself to think of myself in this manner. Why would I desire anyone else to think of me in this way?
When I was a young man my uncle moved in with us after the passing of my aunt. My mom and dad considered him, “Eccentric”. For me, he was, “Uncle”. I loved him dearly, more so than my mother and father.
Up until his arrival, my thoughts around the word, “Eccentric” were, “Howard Hughes” type thoughts and that the label was confined to the rich and famous. What “Uncle” taught me was to be a lifelong learner, to question the mainstream narrative and NOT follow the herd!
His formal education went to the sixth grade, yet he was studying chemistry in the process of refining and extracting gold. I also read his library of Lous Lamour novels, a three year long process. I believe he owned all of his books?
Challenge #3
Change doesn't happen overnight?
And I ask why not?
I believe the twin towers and building 7 are gone.
I believe the 2007/2008 financial crises happened.
I believe COVID-19 is happening now.
These are all examples of change happening within a 24-48 hour time frame.
In conclusion:
When I place these labels on others or point the finger at someone else, I must remember that I have three fingers pointing back at me, myself and I.
When I am thinking that others are incapable of changing then I myself must think that is true about me, that I am incapable of changing? Is that what I want to believe about myself or others and mine/their current state of affairs? If that answer is no, then why do I feel like I have a desire to project that onto someone else?
Change can happen in an instant. To date I believe in miracles and am eagerly awaiting them, in abundance!
For me to believe any of the sayings above is to believe in a nothingness of mediocrity!
My dear Horatio, my dreams, goals and desires are becoming the best version of me, myself and I and fulfilling my purpose on this planet as was instilled in me by our creator.
Creator, intelligent design, and which came first? The chicken or the egg, is another topic of discussion.