Trust. A seemingly simple word, yet few words contain such power and meaning. And what does "trust" mean? We use trust in our everyday lives. We trust that the other cars will stay in in their lanes, we trust the water from our tap is safe to drink, we trust our significant other wont suffocate us with a pillow while we sleep (that was a little humor there…okay, very little).
There are many ways to attempt to explain what trust is, but instead of trying to construct a hard and fast definition, I'd rather express a little on what trust is to me. Here goes:
~ Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. ~
– D. Elton Trueblood
Trust is like faith mixed with expectation. You believe in the integrity and reliability of a person, higher power, idea, or a thing. You not only believe but you expect that the reliability and integrity will continue. Tied to this is the anticipation of a benefit of some kind. The benefit may be for you, but it just as likely may be for others.
Trust is the expectation that truth has been told to you and that this truth is dependable.
~ You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you don't trust enough. ~ – Frank Crane
Paradoxically, trust is also the acceptance of a certain amount of uncertainty. I say this because to trust, especially when your trust is placed in another person, you become vulnerable. This is because there remains the possibility that your trust could be misplaced, or that you could be hurt emotionally. Trust is powerful, yet it is a fragile thing too. If one were to have absolute certainty, meaning no doubts whatsoever, then would trust be necessary?
Trust is the glue that holds all relationships together.
~ Trust yourself, then you will know how to live.~
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
You must have trust in yourself. Whether it be in your abilities, knowledge, skills or dreams, you must have confidence, and faith, in yourself. You have what it takes, or at the very least, the ability to obtain whatever it takes!
~ Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. ~
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I find that the more I try to reveal what trust means to me, the more I realize how beautiful a thing trust is. Where would my life be without it? I love my children and I trust they love me in return. I love my life partner, Jenny, and I trust she loves me in return. I love the dreams I have and I trust I'll see them as reality. I write on this blog and I trust that what I write will help someone, somewhere in some way. Trust, trust, trust!
Trust is a beautiful gift, so lovingly entangled with faith, vulnerability and anticipation.
I could write for hours on this word, but I'd rather hear what trust means to you! Please share in the comments!
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