Trust

Every time that I\’m in a circle, I realize how important trust is. Trust manifests along with the intention of being part of a circle. When you\’re part of a circle, you become part of something bigger than yourself. The circle wouldn\’t be the same without you and you\’re never the same again. Being in a circle is absolutely different than just observing it. The circle has its own voice and it respect yours. Trust is a firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing; but trust is also more than that. Trust is the relationship within which the trust is based. 

Lacking trust is a frequent problems in couples, organizations, societies, etc. you may like other people, but not necessarily trust them. Trust cannot be taken for granted. We need to build it, create it, maintain it. Which means that we have to come to terms with the possibility of breach and betrayal.

Re-building trust is one of the most complex tasks in life. It\’s frequently compared to a crumpled paper. You can try to restore it, but it won\’t look the same.

Our reluctance to trust is rooted in feelings of insecurity and egotism, and our ability to trust is founded in feelings of safety and acceptance.  Trust is not control, nor cordial hypocrisy. Trust is a form of freedom. We allow other people to be who they are; also, we trust the process without trying to control the outcome.

 In our process to improve ourselves, we have to learn to trust one another. Trust is an opening up of the world, an openness to its gifts. Breaches of trust don\’t mark the end of trust but are part of the process of trusting. Trusting, not trustworthiness is the issue. It\’s a matter of changing each other and the relationship through trust.

The worst enemies of trust are cynicism, selfishness and a naive conception of life in which one expects more than one is willing to give. Trust and control are incompatible, because the core of trust involves freedom.

DISTRUST
Distrust is the other side of the coin. Distrust demands suspicion;  authentic trust incorporates the possibility of distrust and is inconceivable without it. Such trust is no longer simple, but sophisticated and experienced. 

Basic trust starts when you are a kid and your needs are satisfied. Distrustful families raise distrustful children. So, perhaps your family was distrustful and now you\’re in the difficult process of trusting other people, or you have experienced betrayal repeated times and you\’re afraid of trusting again. But since it\’s the only way to have an honest relationship with other person, you need to re-build trust.

LET\’S WORK!

The first ingredient of trust is self-trust. How can we trust someone when we don\’t trust ourselves? If this is your case, analyze why you don\’t trust in yourself. Get professional help if it\’s needed. Also, do what you say and honor your promises. And if you cannot longer honor them, apologize face to face with the other person. Be honest and speak from your heart and when you have the feeling that the other person is not being honest, make sure that s/he knows you are being open.

Then, extend your trusting process to other people. Go beyond the family and your closest friends. In our day to day lives we are surrounded by strangers whom we implicitly trust because we have to. Choose more people to trust them. When they seem to be genuinely concerned about you, share important information or at least tell them why you cannot disclose certain things. Be honest with yourself and with the rest of the world and you will see how a lot of people are also trustworthy.