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I'm using this phrase metaphorically to refer to people and their basic characteristics. If someone has a certain trait that they have had all their lives, say they have been known to cheat or steal, can they change? Can they successfully change or is the trait too much a part of their inherent nature and basically out of their conscious control? Would you ever trust someone like that, or do you believe in the opposite which is that "a leopard can not change his/her spots?
Basic characteristics may not change per se, but with the right spirit can evolve to a healthier manifestation.
Someone who has the cunning to cheat or steal might be able to hack into and ruin terrorist organizations or uncover corporate fraud. Las Vegas hires former gambling cheats. The FedGov and anti-virus software companies hire former computer hackers. Chemical dependency programs hire ex-addicts.
Concerning someone that has shown questionable behavior throughout their adult life, and continues to do so in their later years, here's a question. Is it something inherent in the person (like an anomaly that they were born with), or is it a type of misguided behavior that they picked up along the way and have continued using as a means for coping?
Their thinking caused them to be that way and only their thinking can change them. This is the Alpha and Omega. By proper thinking, thief can go honest, poor can become wealthy, even disease can be cured.
Answer then is - YES. Condition is - does the person WANTS to?
I wanted to quit smoking and I did. I wanted to quit drinking and I did. Bad traits are not much different from addictions. People stick to them as they find "guilty pleasure" in them.
Unfortunately, it is easier to be dishonest, crooked and twisted, than honest, person of integrity, and decency. As in - the world is that way. It is tough to go against the world.
Frequently folks do seem to have the same nature from when they were small up through adulthood. The happy little kid will pretty much be a happy adult, (maybe that's why everyone wants everyone else to have a happy childhood so we will all be surrounded by happy people) anyway, the kid who always wants to boss other kids around will do the same as an adult. The fussy one will still be fussy, the busy one will still be busy. I guess they call that "Type A" when they are adults, as kids they may have a different name for it.
Cheating or stealing is more of an action within the general personality of someone and is probably easier to change than the basic personality itself.
I believe that people are born with their personality, but develop their character through the thoughts they think. People can, do, and should change their character. Character is made up of habits, and habits can be changed, as someone stated above. Personality on the other hand, is the way a persons brain prefers to operate. This I do not think can be changed. No personality is better or worse, its just what makes us humans different from each other.
It's hard to really become a different person without constantly reinforcing to yourself that your different.
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