I’ll trust you only if you do these three things

I’ve had a difficult relationship with “trust” and maybe you have too.

After my first years in foster care I defensively decided I couldn’t trust anyone, even those genuinely trying to help. Later and trying to fix that view I overcompensated by beginning every relationship under an assumption of trust. Both of those approaches are fatally flawed.

These days I have a different approach, which I offer hoping you find it helpful. I’m willing to begin trusting only after I sense the other person (or information source) is transparent, makes good decisions, and displays empathy if not compassion toward me.

– Rev. Paul Knowlton, Esq.