"WHAT ABOUT TRUST?"

[Letha Robinson]

But what about trust? I don't want to become too cynical, either. I don't want to go through life believing that behind every act of kindness there is a hidden motive, that inside every silver lining there is a dark cloud ready to disgorge bucketfuls of water on my little parade. I don't want be wary of every stranger I meet and turn a suspicious eye to any good thing that comes my way.

Why not? Because I want to trust people. It is not nearly so important for me hone a sharp edge of skepticism as to be somebody with a keen ability to trust.

Relationships that work, after all, are built on trust. Trust in families is essential if want to raise healthy, happy children. As adults, we want to be trusted by others and our closest friends are usually people we can depend on. And what's left in marriage when trust is shattered?

This is equally true in the world of business. My friend and business entrepreneur Bob Burg teaches, "All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust." He should know. He built a business, and a life, on the principle of trust.

I am discovering that I can live far better without cynicism than I can without trust. And so I worry less these days about naively swallowing everything I hear and more about fine tuning an ability to catch glimpses of whatever good there may be around me.

In his poem "Desiderata" (1927), Max Erhmann offers this deep wisdom:

"Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full
of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full
of heroism. . .

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and
disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. . .

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion
of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery,
and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy."

It IS a beautiful world. May I have eyes to see it.

-- Steve Goodier

[Lifesighs]

Good way to go about life, thanks for sharing. I agree, all the fear going around creates paranoia and doesn't help people see that we're all here together and only want a fulfilling life.

[Letha Robinson]

You're welcome!

[Susan]

Too many people, I have found in my experience, view the world as a bad place and treat everyone else accordingly.  One must trust oneself first before one can trust anyone else, I think.

[darroll]

Trust has to be earned.

[Letha Robinson]

Yes, you have to earn my trust.

[Letha Robinson]

Yes, so true, Susan!

[Esoteric]

Before I trust anyone I consider the complications, repercussions, mitigations, possibilities and machinations of The Machiavellian Hypothesis.

And then I get confused.

[Letha Robinson]

You got me confused, right now! LOL

[Esoteric]

But to be briefly serious, I had no problem trusting a woman I met after divorcing my naughty ex because I felt then and now that each is an individual so not to be tarred with the same cynical brush. As it turned out that woman was and is worthy of my trust but even if otherwise I would have trusted the next unwary victim because I had learned not to take betrayal personally. I opine that a person who abuses trust is not displaying a low opinion of the one who trusted but rather of themselves.

[funesthememorious]

Words of wisdom if you are planning to visit Sicily.