Are You Trustworthy?

#84 - Which would you rather be?

Aug 16, 2023

You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible.
— Anton Chekhov

Communication is the basis of every hue-man to hue-man relationship. We're here together to help each other thrive, but in order to do that, we must first earnestly accept that each of us is on a different route to the same end destination.

There is no one true blueprint for how to be, or for how to solve problems as they arise in life. So, the solutions which work for others may look different than what works for you.

At times you serve as The Student, asking others for help. And at other times you serve as The Master, to guide someone else on their journey.

We all want to help our loved ones avoid suffering, but sometimes our methods aren’t as effective as we’d like to think they are.

Especially in comment sections on the internet, you see people trying to force their perspectives on others all the time, creating nothing but tense miscommunications.

But in order to actually help each other, there must be a bond of trust between us. So today we are laser focused on one simple way to foster trust in every relationship in your life.

Trust Is Built In Little Moments

If someone asks you for help, and you agree to give it to them, you willingly accept the immense responsibility of preserving their ability to discover that which they seek for themselves, while still aiding them on their quest.

Consider the following passage from Stephen Mitchell’s Tao Te Ching Translation:

When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware he exists.
Next best is a leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.

If you don't trust the people, you make them untrustworthy.

The Master doesn't talk, he acts.
When his work is done, the people say,
"Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!"

After reading the passage above, now you get to decide which Master you’d rather study under. Number 1 or 2.

Master 1

When you go to this Master’s class, they constantly tell you exactly what to do and how to do it, as if their way is the only way.
1. They get visibly mad when you don’t do things their way, giving you a hostile attitude if you try your own solutions.
2. When you ask a question, they make you feel as though you should have already known the answer.
3. When you suggest a new solution, they immediately shut you down without hearing it, telling you they know better because they have more experience than you.
4. They say things like, “If you don’t do what I say, you will fail.”

⭐ Question: Do You Trust This Master?

Master 2

This Master loves when you bring them your questions, but they never give you the direct answer you thought you wanted.
1. Instead, they ask you pointed questions which help you see your problem from a different point of view.
2. They tell you things like, “Trust yourself—you will figure this out.” “You have all the skills you need.” And, “Look to your previous experience to find the way forward.”
3. They always welcome your questions, no matter what they are. And they empower you for being fearless enough to ask for help.

⭐ Question: Do you trust this Master?

Which Master are you?

So which Master would you rather learn from? Number 1 or 2?

Consider your answer next time someone approaches you to ask for your help. Because when they do, they’ll place their trust in your hands, and you’ll be responsible to teach like The Master whom you’d like to learn from.

Don’t forget, every Master is also a Student, and every Student is also a Master, here at Earth You-n-i-versity.

When we trust each other, every moment together becomes a shared learning experience. And I think that’s why we’re here—to learn and to teach.

Back again next week,