Leopards Do Change Their Spots
But not always in the way you want them to
“Wait!”
My heel stuck in the drain grate like a nail in wood.
I didn’t expect to be glued to a London street that summer. I was used to rambling in the hills and running along the sandy beach by my home. But my boyfriend had ‘upped sticks’ and gone to see if the city streets shone with gold, offering excitement and opportunities.
Since then, he’d treated me with disdain, a hard pill to swallow as we were once so close. I was now a spare part — a country bumpkin, much less sophisticated than his newer friends and perhaps even a hindrance.
He swore I was the bee’s knees just a few months before. I was his diamond, sunshine on a rainy day, and best friend. Now, though, I was part of the sidewalk.
As I tugged at the offending heel, I watched him and his pals as they strolled out of sight, not caring whether I trotted beside them or remained in the gutter. Since then, I’ve learned to keep better company. Sometimes, people are fantastic companions, friends, or partners, but only for a short while.
Later, they change, as do we all. No one can stop growth. Each experience, new pal, and turn of events shape us, changing us in little ways. Much like particles (or is it atoms?) continually shift, we, too, are in a constant state of flux.
However, we can only steer our own course, and other people’s development is up to them.
My old flame became far dimmer in my eyes after that event. But at the time, I was young and didn’t see the opportunity before me to, like my boyfriend, alter my fate.
What fun I might have had if I’d chosen to part from him that day rather than several months later. Madame Tussauds, London Bridge, Big Ben, Carnaby Street: these places beckoned, yet I didn’t hear their call to create my adventure and let the young man continue to walk while I slipped off somewhere more interesting.
I recognize now it’s easiest to accept that leopards change their spots. So my once fantastic partner became ignorant and less kind. But that’s okay. Later, perhaps, he learned his lesson. Let’s hope so.
These days, I like the fact we continually transform. Recognizing this helps me stay aware of my development. I can stop and ask myself whether I’m heading in the direction of my choice instead of trying to keep up with people who are no longer part of my tribe. And I can alter my behavior if it doesn’t align with the person I want to become.
Everyone alters with time and experience — our physical appearance and fitness too. We can’t stave off aging in this respect. But we can ensure we take care of our mental evolution, as far as possible, and make sure new traits improve rather than reduce us.
