I was thinking about trust the other day and came to the decision that how I approach it, who I give mine to and who I do not, is exactly as it should be - that is to say, I'm slow to trust people but losing my trust happens very quickly; I keep a small and tight circle of people around me for this reason' it's more manageable.
A little while ago, someone I trusted proved unworthy of it; there's no point going into it here but suffice it to say that trust was broken and the person disappeared which wasn't a bad thing considering the broken trust. It was hard on me though because I'd handed over a great deal of myself to that person and to have that trust broken and them disappear was confronting - I actually missed the person more than I'd ever admit to them. I moved on however, though it was difficult, and put it down to just another learning experience of life.
Some time later the person reappeared which surprised me somewhat, pleasantly surprised me, as it turns out, and despite the random reappearance being a little confusing for me I accepted it and there's been some basic communication since. I've been cordial, that means warm and friendly, but also somewhat aloof because I don't trust that person now and never will. Ever. And things will never be the same. Ever never.
Trust is a precious thing that should be
givengifted carefully and cautiously. Yes, it's a gift that one bestows on a person who deserves it.
Web of lies and trust
How does someone earn it? That's up to each person to answer for themselves because everyone has different metrics around it, but it can't be asked for, it has to be earned.
These days the concept is fraught with danger, in my opinion, because one's reach is so vast.
Back before the interwebs one's circle didn't generally reach far and wide across the planet; we knew the people immediately around us and that's typically upon whom trust was bestowed. These days, people trust others they have never met and may never meet, people they ran into on the interwebs, and it's considered totally normal...but is it? (I think not)
How many people have been scammed by a "Nigerian Prince" and sent some cunt fucken scammer money, iTunes and phone cards et cetera?
It happened to my aunt and should I run into that Nigerian person I'd peel his fucken face off and make him eat it before slitting his throat with a blunt spoon because scamming people like this is a shit thing to do. But it was her own stupid dumb-ass fault for placing trust too easily and with someone who she didn't know at all as well. That's just one example but there's many more, millions and millions of them because so many people misplace their trust on the webernets. It's nuts.
What else is nuts is when the same thing happens to the same person more than once.
I'm a firm believer in being very cautious in placing trust with someone and that's why it's so very difficult to earn my trust.
I think that's how it should be for all of us because once trust is handed over bad things can occur, and especially if what was given was information to someone on the interwebs across the other side of the world, or next door...one never knows I guess; that can be incredibly damaging. There's no time-factor with me, no waiting or qualifying period, it happens organically and is based on actions and deeds on the part of the other person more than it is their words and also how I feel, the emotions and all. It can take a long, long, long time; a long, long, long, loooong time indeed.
But to lose it can take mere seconds and there's no coming back from it; I'm resolute in that way.
What are your experiences with trust, giving or receiving it? Have you had your trust broken by someone you cared about or have you been a little careless like my aunt was and got caught out placing trust in the wrong person, business or company? What about trust over the webernet? Any experience or stories there you'd like to share? It's such a precious thing, trust, and feels so terrible when it's broken but unfortunately I think we'll all have to deal with it in life...do you have any stories or thoughts?
Note: If you're wondering what the image I used in this post actually is and where I took it you can follow this link to the Art Galley of South Australia and find out.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Image(s) in this post are my own