I was recently asked if I believed that people could change. In a word? Yes.
People will change. The question is more, “Will a person make a meaningful change?” that brings about increased meaning and satisfaction in their life. We people are generally motivated by a “what’s in it for us” perspective. The trick is finding what that is. This is not a “once and for all” destination, but a journey through life as the particulars may change throughout the lifespan.
When a person is able to see the benefit in a certain change or they experience circumstances that are undesirable, they generally are willing to expend some effort to make a change.
From a spiritual standpoint, the closer one is to God and following His Word, the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
From a psychological standpoint, the more one recognizes their self-worth (see blog 06/03/2012) and uses it purposefully, the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
From a social standpoint, the more one understands and accepts their place in the world (whatever that looks like given one’s own preferences and values), the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
Carl Rogers: “… the individual has within himself or herself vast resources for self-understanding, for altering his or her self-concept, attitudes and self-directed behavior - and that these resources can be tapped…."
If I thought people could not change, I most certainly could not do this work.
People can and will change! If you want to make a change, a safe environment and an understanding therapist may be a venue to begin that process.
People will change. The question is more, “Will a person make a meaningful change?” that brings about increased meaning and satisfaction in their life. We people are generally motivated by a “what’s in it for us” perspective. The trick is finding what that is. This is not a “once and for all” destination, but a journey through life as the particulars may change throughout the lifespan.
When a person is able to see the benefit in a certain change or they experience circumstances that are undesirable, they generally are willing to expend some effort to make a change.
From a spiritual standpoint, the closer one is to God and following His Word, the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
From a psychological standpoint, the more one recognizes their self-worth (see blog 06/03/2012) and uses it purposefully, the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
From a social standpoint, the more one understands and accepts their place in the world (whatever that looks like given one’s own preferences and values), the more satisfaction and meaning they will experience.
Carl Rogers: “… the individual has within himself or herself vast resources for self-understanding, for altering his or her self-concept, attitudes and self-directed behavior - and that these resources can be tapped…."
If I thought people could not change, I most certainly could not do this work.
People can and will change! If you want to make a change, a safe environment and an understanding therapist may be a venue to begin that process.
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