Apathy vs Trust

When a our trust in others is challenged, quite often we say it doesn't bother us or that we aren't affected. In fact, we are affected but we make an effort to not react to preserve the perception that we trust others to make the right decision. On it's surface there doesn't appear to be a problem because it does help us restrain from publicly questioning our trust in the other person. This could be preserved as hurtful and certainly that could be damaging. However, this is not real trust. Real trust is reacting to our fear by reassuring ourselves that our friends and significant others will make good choices. This sort of trust is the stuff that real relationships are made of because no relationship can flourish in an apathetic environment.

Of course, the practice of this is far more difficult than just observing the facts. The most obvious line of defense against apathetic "trust" is open communication. However, paranoia doesn't fester between persons, it is a wholly internal dilemma and the product of repetitive reinforcement of inaccurate perceptions. Trust and faith are closely related, if not synonymous, and require regular nourishment to grow. This means positive reinforcement self-talk whenever possible and the immediate interception of the involuntary negative self-talk that plagues those of us who struggle with trust issues. This sort of social paranoia creates an artificial reality that alters how we view the rest of the world, often distorting our perception beyond recognition. Faith in those around us is often blind trust that is necessary to overcome the crippling fear of being hurt, even if that fear is rooted in real life experience. Only then can effective communication reinforce our faith.

Trust must come first. It won't always be safe and it won't always be easy. But trust in others is as necessary for a whole and rich life as the air we breath. It is the lifeblood of relationships.