TrustYOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD comes through many filters and lenses.

So I was inspired by a discussion with my friend Joanna last week, where she explained her belief that TRUST is one of the major factors by which you interpret circumstances.

There’s a lot of wisdom in this.

Imagine that your experience with government regulation hasn’t been all that positive, either personally or in your business. How are you going to interpret any changes to regulation?  You’re going to tend to assume the worst possible outcome, because you don’t trust that the government is looking out for you.

Someone else might have an entirely different interpretation, based on their personal experience that regulation has been more beneficial than punitive.

It’s useful to think about this as an issue of trust, because that’s something you can actually influence – both in relationship with other people, and within yourself.

I have an acquaintance who seems to be one of the biggest anti-growth activists in town.  How do I know this?  Because every comment I’ve heard for the last few years has been based on a desire to limit the growth of the city and region in various ways.

It’s totally fine to have this viewpoint.  Everyone has things they’re passionate about.

But a lot of his angst seems to stem from a mistrust of local government and local industry.  Every action and circumstance then gets translated as a worst-case scenario, even when I don’t happen to believe that there’s any malice behind it.

I find it extremely draining, and to be honest, I limit my time with people like that.  I try to maintain an attitude of optimism, personally, which means I tend to trust peoples’ positive intent behind things they do.

Does it get me in trouble?  Occasionally, yes, but it’s a conscious choice I’ve made.  And I believe it’s more beneficial than detrimental.

TRUST is a choice.  TRUST often involves commitment.  But TRUST also gives you grounding for experiencing the world in a more positive way.