Can a leopard really change its spots?

Can a leopard ever change its spots? Can a tiger change its stripes? Can humans change his/her essential nature? A metaphoric expression that originated in an ancient Greek proverb. Such a simple statement that left me in a quandary.

I am sure everyone of us will go through this stage once in their lifetime. How do you learn to trust again, to love again without having doubts and suspicions overwhelm you? Overpower you? It is indeed tiring to go through the questions in your mind repeatedly. As one says, one bitten, twice shy. But what do you call someone who has been bitten one too many times? Foolish? Or plain naivety? Or love? I have no answer for that.

The crux of the issue is can one really change? Can one who cheats, lies and abuses really repents? Is there such a thing as remorse?

A close friend of mine undergoes the same dilemma. She lives in doubts all the time. She wonders if he is true to her every single day. If all those things he said through texts, verbal means or face to face interactions were ever sincere and honest. Is he acting innocent again? Did he really do those things he said? Well, i have to say he did put in effort in winning her back. And some of his actions were sweet and romantic. But is he really an alcoholic he now claims he is? All this while, that was not the case.

She just accepted it. All the excuses, all the reasons. Not wanting to be difficult nor start any unnecessary arguments, she acts dumb. All the time. The smiles, the laughter. Are those really genuine?

Deep inside, she always has that doubts on him. Always. And this may/may not be the cause of their relationship falling apart in the near future.

Only time will tell how this wil turn out. All i know is this shall be her last attempt to make their love story have a happy ending. If only he wakes up, if only he realizes the risk involve, if only he knows how much she cares, IF only he loves her that much to change his ways for the better.

Only time will tell.