Growing up, we realize that there are lessons in life that we have to experience to understand. When we do the wrong thing, we don’t fully understand it until we realize the repercussions of our actions. Momma always told us the stove was hot, but we touched in anyways because we had to see it for ourselves. People do change-- for better or for worse.

We frequently argue that people don’t change. The same wrong doing they have done before will be repeated in the future. It’s true, some people do not change. There are people so stuck in their ways that you couldn’t pay them to change. Mainly, it’s because they haven’t learned enough to change, or haven’t been hurt enough to.

We don’t always know the type of person we are, or who we really want to be. It can seem nearly impossible when you can’t see the forest through the trees. This is where we change. We aren’t born knowing we want to be doctors, business executives, or teachers. We aren't born knowing whether we will be thick skinned or an emotional wreck. Through our life, we are influenced by what is around us, so we shape to those experiences. Life changes you. Sometimes, people realize they don’t want to be the person they’ve been because it’s not who they are—it’s who the world wanted them to be. We learn enough to realize that we shouldn’t be who we have always been. Other times, we learn enough to know that what we’ve put ourselves through isn’t what we deserve—so we change.

This is where we change for the better. If you do not put yourself first, no one else will. So many of us are guilty of putting ourselves last. What good does that do for you? As much as we would love to believe that people will treat you, as you treat them, it's not probable. When we change to put ourselves first, people become confused. Why won't drop everything that is important to you for them. It's okay, do not let anyone make you believe that you are selfish for this. There comes a time when you have learned enough to move on from what has hurt you time and time again, to focus on you. Never feel you are wrong for this. We change to bring out the greatness that we foster. We change because we see the potential in ourselves to succeed. Change because you know you are better than what you have been.

Then there are those that change for the worse. Not everyone can overcome the tribulations they face, and they conform to the. They get bitter and depressed and never dust themselves off. Fight this. Don't let the weight of your troubles consume the good that is inside of you. Changing for the worse doesn't only hurt you; you now hurt the people around you. The person you are has now been morphed into somebody that they used to know. It is so easy to give up, so easy to be mean, and so easy to take the darker path. Don't change because experiences made you bitter, change because experiences can make you better.

Anyone can break your heart. Family, friends, acquaintances, anyone. They can break your heart which can change the person you are, or they can break your heart as you watch them change to be someone else. Change is inevitable. Be the good change that sees the positivity in others, and the greatness in yourself. Don't live your life going after what drives you insane, but what makes you better and happier. Be the better version of yourself.