Trust

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Trust – We have suffered the highest levels of uncertainty most of us will ever be through for almost two years.   Normally in life most of us will face health issues, job losses, relationship struggles, financial insecurity and loss of loved ones.   Add in climate change and a global pandemic, and that is a lot to deal with.

When we have been faced with untold, persistent and life-changing uncertainty, how do we hold on to our stability to trust anything anymore?

Trust is a delicate thing that takes a long time to build – trust in ourselves that we can manage and cope, trust in others that they will be there for us, trust in our societal systems that they will help protect us and act in our best interests, and trust in life that whatever we are experiencing is somehow going to work out for us in the end.

Trust is built on many things, some subtle, others obvious – good communication, consistent words and actions, shared values, and truth.

Why does trust matter?  Because it gives us a sense of certainty in an uncertain world, a sense of safety – physical, emotional, and psychological, and a sense of connection to others too.   So how can we rebuild that sense of safety and trust?

Trust yourself.   You are your one and only constant companion in life.  When everything can change around you at the drop of a hat, you are the one who can weather that storm.   Investing in yourself, building your life skill set and your self-esteem, as well as learning to be kind and to love yourself more, will help you over time to trust that you can manage.

It takes practice, and it takes time, and you will falter and fail sometimes, but as long as you know that a good relationship with yourself can carry you through anything, you will be OK.

If you can be your biggest supporter, your kindest friend, in tough times and good, that fear of uncertainty, challenge and change won’t feel so overwhelming.

Trust the bigger picture.   One short sharp shower does not mean it is going to rain all day.  Getting some perspective on your current situation can help.   Get outside, look at the sky, the moon and the stars – realise that the world is a big place, and the universe is even bigger.  Trust that life is working for you, not against you, and that maybe there are important lessons we can learn through all of this illness, uncertainty and fear, that will serve us in the future, or that we can use to have a positive impact on others.