Trust. A seemingly simple five-letter word yet it is present in all relationships, regardless of that particular relationship's significance. It takes on many forms, from elementary through advanced. For a simple example, my parents trust I'll feed the dogs each day. Simpler trust leads us to the next level, my teammates trust that I will do my work in the off-season, and that leads us to another level, my boyfriend trusts me. I am trusted by many to consistently show my ability to be strong enough to do the right thing. When I allow myself to consider what that means, it's a pretty hefty weight; however, it is neither impossible nor a waste.

What I am about to ask will probably paint an ugly picture in your mind, but it's important. With that, take a moment to think about everything that would turn upside down in your life if you couldn't trust those around you. Now, go one step further and imagine if you were the one deemed untrustworthy. Neither are pleasant scenes, right? I agree, I don't want to live through that kind of unnecessary pain.

Earlier when I asked you to imagine your life without trust I am going to guess your imagination was at a microscopic level, geared towards your everyday life. When I revisited the presence of trust, however, I saw realized trust is not just a microscopic thing, it is very much so macroscopic. So macroscopic I don't have time to address it all, not to mention the wealth of knowledge I imagine it would take.

No matter where we're at, it isn't too much of a challenge to do the right thing, is it? After all, showing we are capable of honoring and respecting one another help to keep our world spinning with smiles painted on our faces. Why wouldn't we want that? When I think about it, I realize that my actions alone can, and most likely will, have a ripple effect. Whether the effect is positive or negative is entirely up to me.

I will be the first to admit I don't think about the value trust holds in my life all too often, and that sounds a bit off. Can I say it okay as long as I don't toss it out the window? Or, since trust is critical, should I be making more of an effort to think about it everyday? Truth be told, I don't know what the right answer is, or if there even is a right answer. Perhaps it is one of those things that just depends. Regardless, I feel trust is underestimated and ever-present.

Clearly I have wrestled with the value of trust in my life but I haven't been able to get very far. It is a delicate matter. We are constantly putting coins in the piggy bank of trust, building trust and simultaneously deepening our relationships, and it can be shattered in a second. Possibly beyond repair. With such an investment, where would someone go from there? I'm not eager to find out. I'd rather keep investing and share the riches later on.

If you want to be trusted, be honest.