Change your stripes

An adage claims, “You can’t expect a tiger to change its stripes.” basically stating that you can’t expect people to change their nature. It’s who they are. This thought has been bouncing around my head for a while now. It’s fitting with an exciting change I have coming up next week. And it’s a thoughtful reminder that you can only control your actions and reactions, not those of others.

Recently, I re-read a book to my son that I hadn’t read in a while. Eunice and Sabrina Moyle are the author and illustrator sister team that fills a good chunk of my son’s shelf. As a mom and illustrator, I cannot get enough of their work! This book has become my current guiding light - Go Get ‘Em, Tiger!

“To your spirit you’ll stay true, never sorry to be you. But CHANGE YOUR STRIPES if they don’t suit you. Dare to swap them - we’ll salute you!”

I love the stand it takes on the original adage. This line points out that your stripes are external, and your ‘nature’ your spirit, is internal. Always stay true to your spirit and it will guide you through life. Don’t be afraid to change what no longer suits you. What may have been a comfortable fit years ago no longer is. What may have been a beneficial relationship is now detrimental. What may have been a place that fostered growth and creativity is no longer encouraging you to fly. Follow your spirit, change your stripes.

It sounds so simple when you break it down like this. Be sure to follow along here as I change my stripes and break down what that means to me - I’m very excited to share it with you!

Have you gone through a big change lately? How’d it go? How are you feeling? Let me know in the comments below.