by Valentine Logar

Created on: April 05, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2008

Trust, like so many other emotional gifts can no longer be freely given. On the face of it this seems like a bold and bitter statement, nevertheless, it is a truthful one trust me.

How many of us today rely upon the integrity of others or place our trust in the truthfulness of others to make our decisions? This is a big question as the outcome of decisions so often can affect, either positively or negatively, our future safety, security, and even that of our families.

Throughout our lives, we are faced with people and circumstances that require us to make choices, often based upon the perceived or assumed integrity of others. In some cases trust is an extension of a person's position; such as a Doctor or a police officer. It is our instinct to trust these people either based upon their perceived expertise in a field or their positional authority. As young people we also instinctively trust our parents, teachers, other older family members, and of course authority figures. In some cases this trust is based upon our reliance that these people have our best interest at heart. In other cases our trust is given because we have been assured that those placed in authority over us are trustworthy having been vetted by others before be given responsibility for our care, such as our teachers. As adults we learn to rely upon our intuition and past lessons learned, neither of which are always accurate.

"Trust me", those infamous words uttered by charlatans, swindlers, and looters everywhere as they steal your last dime or the bread from your table. "Trust me", as your labor and the fruit of your intellect and effort are stolen even while you continue to believe in equity and ethics. "Trust me", as they look you in the eye all the while honing the knife for your back. Trust me; I hope every day that no one ever says these words to me again in life.

Simple words really but with an intricate emotional relationship between the trustee and those who rely upon their integrity and moral character as a framework for that trust. We create an obligation when we ask for the trust of another person. Whether this is a personal or professional relationship the obligations remain comparable. When we are the trustee we are obligated to be truthful, honest, and ethical; we are in fact obligated to act with integrity in our dealings. When the trustee acts with anything other than integrity it is treachery of the worst kind, a betrayal of trust. The person betrayed is left bereft not just

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