Can the Leopard Change His Spots?

 

In the genus Panthera there are four big cats – the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, and the leopard who is easily recognizable because he is covered with spots. Of these four big cats the leopard has the distinction of being the smallest but endowed with certain survival skills such as speed, stealth, and a powerful jaw.

He knows his abilities and confidently lives with the knowledge of who he is, including his strengths, talents, and limitations. He knows that the other three cats have abilities that he doesn’t have, nor will ever have, but he is content with who he is. He realizes that he will always be a leopard with spots that he can’t change even if he was so inclined. He lives with every day of his life. He is who he is.

I have Tourette syndrome. I cannot change that. I cannot change my “spots.” My parents helped me understand who I am and how to live, deal, and thrive with my with my set of spots, and I am so grateful to them for their insight and encouragement.

For me, the key is to try to be like the leopard and recognize, and appreciate, and use the skills and talents I do have. How is it for you and your children? How do you help them recognize taht each of us has our own unique set of abilities and that we can learn to appreciate and be content with who we are? As parents we can help our children find ways to live a full, productive life with whatever challenges they may have.

The leopard knows his seeming limitations can be strengths he can use to survive. Due to his smaller size, he may not be a powerful as his cousins, but he sure can hide and lunge from small spaces they will never be able to squeeze into! I believe we all have struggles that can be turned into great strengths. So let’s step out into the jungle with pride, spots, and all.

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