Old Dog New Tricks

You know what phrase bugs the crap out of me?

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

It is filled with ego, victim mentality, laziness, God complex, and apathy for others. It gives me a physical tightening of my spine any time I hear it. It makes me feel icky.

I was not a terribly old dog when I got sober but I definitely wasn’t a spring chicken & I learned A LOT of new stuff. Not only did I learn it, I implemented it into my life.

I believe that phrase is a cop out! Yes, that last sentence gets an exclamation point. I believe that you can evolve at any time if you want to.

It reminds me of a book my sister gave me many moons ago (PS - Pre-Steve), “He’s Just Not That Into You.” Haha. You may know it. It is all about if a man, isn't giving you what you deserve, they just aren’t that into you. If they aren’t committing. If they don’t tell you they love you. If your relationship is a secret per their request etc. I could go on with all the red flags. All these things were occurring in my relationship and I just kept staying and making excuses; hoping that he would change and grow up.

If you were wondering, he didn’t. Haha.

My sis and I get a good laugh every time we think about that book.

This idea doesn’t have to be limited to a romantic relationship. It could be anyone that doesn’t want to evolve or correct a behavior. Or open their mind up enough to acknowledge another person’s perspective and feelings. Oooooooor, they have not experienced enough pain or consequences in regard to their behavior to merit a change in their brain.

Which side of the coin to you land on? Are you the “old dog” saying they can’t learn new tricks or are you experiencing someone that needs to evolve?

If you are the “old dog,” snap out of it. Open your mind and entertain that there is more to learn and experience out there.

If you are the one that is waiting for a person to change or “learn a new trick” snap out of it. You are waiting and wasting your precious time and energy.

Ask yourself, are these actions serving me? Am I making excuses for something? Am I tolerating behavior that makes me feel bad because of X, Y, Z reason?

If so,set up some boundaries and start to honor yourself. Let delulu help if honoring yourself is a foreign concept.

No more. Not doing it. Moving on. Let’s go baby.

Whichever side of the coin you land on, holler if I can help.