Can People Change?

It's time for a new post!  I was just watching my new favorite show, Modern Family.  If you haven't seen it, it's on Wednesday nights at 8:00.  Tonight's message was, "Can people change? People are who they are give or take 15%".  What does that mean?  Basically, people don't change.  Do I believe that?  Well, let's see.  I'll start with my family of origin.  My brother's use to get into lots of trouble when they were young.  Now?  One is riding his bike because of a 3rd D.U.I. (I love him) the other one was going to school to be a medic, but got a felony, so he works for Comcast now. (I love him too) My Dad used to be a perfectionist and not let anyone help him with anything.  No change.  My mom used to spend about 120 hours a week of volunteer work for her church.  That's changed.  She works now, so she only spends about 80 hours volunteering.  My husband, JB, used to leave his socks on the floor...no comment.  When my daughter was little her favorite phrase was, "I do it myself!"  Ya, that hasn't changed.  lol  So, back to the question, can people change? 
I have to believe that they can.  It might not be easy.  We may be born with a particular bent that makes it easier to do one thing more than another, but if we work at something, I think we can change.  As a recovering alcoholic with a short temper, it's very easy for me to want to get angry and even easier to want a drink when I'm angry.  I learned some behavior modification skills to difuse my anger and I go to AA meetings to keep from drinking.  So, maybe my initial urges haven't changed.  Maybe using behavior skills and going to meetings isn't an inherent change.  Maybe if I stopped using my skills and stopped going to meetings I would go right back to my old bad behaviors.  So, maybe I haven't changed.  But, I think my husband and kids would disagree.  And that's all that matters to me.  AND, don't forget to check out, "Modern Family".