“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.” ― Aesop, Aesop's Fables
Trust is what is keeping us together. We have survived because we trust each other. With trust we manage to form communities, bind relationships, build families, create business and prosperity.
This is why is important to our own survival as individuals to become trustful and reliable people in our communities. Because if we lack this essential skill we will be abandoned and, eventually, we will die off somewhere in a corner.
In the ancient times, when humans were struggling for survival, trusting the person next to you that will be there when you will be in need was essential. One needed to know that if he will go to sleep, the person next to it will be up to protect him from peril. And the other way around.
But now, we live in an era of individuality, where most of the time we forget to abide by this ancient law. And we break the trust that others place in us. We forget to develop this skill, that at one point, was essential to our own very survival.
And before you say that people need to gain your trust, I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about you. Let’s not think about the others, let’s think about us.
How reliable are we? Can the people around us place their trust in us? Are we a trustful person?
How to be become trustful and reliable?
First of all don’t break your promises. Ever. If you promise something, do it. Don’t postpone it and then find excuses why you didn’t do it.
Don’t make promises you can’t deliver. One easy of keeping your word, it’s to make small promises that you can achieve. Know your limits. Don’t make promises in vain, just to look good.
Learn how to trust others. Don’t expect the people around you to trust you if you don’t trust them. Trust is a two way road. You have to give a little to receive a little.
Trust is a great thing. But be careful, because trust is like a glass vase. Once broken, you can glue it back together, but it will never be the same. Don’t betray the trust others placed in you.
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”
― Ernest Hemingway
This is Day 11 of the 30 days writing challenge during January 2017 launched by @dragosroua. If you want to join the challenge, here's the introductory article.
Essential skills in life is a series of articles regarding skills that I consider everyone should try to develop them. Some of them I have, some of them I'm working on. Please follow me @sstefan if you want to check the next post of the series.