I have always thought of trust as a feeling. It was something to be earned and not given to just anyone. This is true to a certain extent, as in you don't necessarily trust a stranger. Don't be completely naive, but consciously naive. Don't go to the other extreme either, where you don't trust anyone, even the people you engage with regularly, because you trust no one. It's that everyone is out-to-get-me attitude that will eat you alive.
I'm guilty of not trusting, and all it has done is shut me off from the world. I have chosen not to trust because of letting fear rule my life. In the end, I'm only hurting myself because I'm electing to cut off feeling and minimize the bountiful, blissful emotions life has to offer through relationships. I shut myself off from connecting with people at a deeper level.
In all the efforts I make to stay positive and honest with myself about who I am as I share this journey with you, I am still amazed that basic things like choosing trust have gone by the wayside. I see my lack of trust now, be-it learned or natural, and I vow to work on trusting myself and the people close to me so I can release fear of being hurt. It's the only way to unfreeze my heart to let people and the beauty of the universe in.
Just like honesty, love, forgiveness, hope, happiness and respect are choices, trust is a choice too. Choose to trust with me today because you can!