I’ve come to the realization that I am not an overly trusting person. I’ve only recently come to this realization and to test it, I decided to make a list of the people/things I distrust immediately. Here’s what I have so far:
I don’t trust…
Coffee that comes in a vacuum sealed bag
People who say, “I know exactly what you are feeling…”
Warranties of any kind
TV News Shows
Anyone who says, “I believe in this product, this is not a pyramid scheme…”
Anyone who introduces me to someone who says, “I believe in this product, this is not a pyramid scheme…”
Anything from Taco Bell
People who show me the air filter from my car every time I get the oil changed
Anyone whose first name is a city (Never play pool against someone named Memphis Jones)
People who never make eye contact
People who make too much eye contact
Long car rides with people who do trust Taco Bell
Trust is a fragile thing. Once it’s been broken by someone or something, it takes a great deal of courage to trust again. On top of that, we live in a world that seems to be less trustworthy than ever before. TV is filled with ads promising things that their products can never deliver. Job loyalty seems almost non-existent. Many employers appear to be out only for themselves. Employees will jump from job to job chasing the next big thing. As a culture, our lack of trust has left us terrified of commitment. People are abandoning marriages in favor of living together. Many people prefer online friendships over real-life interactions.
This is not to say that we should blindly trust others. Choosing not to trust isn’t always a bad thing. Trusting someone or something that’s unreliable can be costly. You could lose money, waste time, or even have your heart broken. But there is a place for trust. In fact, trust is necessary for a full and enjoyable life. To put it plainly:
Relationships are impossible without trust, and life is meaningless without relationships.
Are you struggling to trust others? Do you not trust yourself and the decisions you make? Are your relationships suffering as a result? If so, choose today to give trust another try. It’s scary but it’s worth it. If you are not sure where to begin, check back in later this week for the second installment of this post entitled Turning Courage Into Action: How To Begin To Trust Again.