“…you can choose to become aware—to become truly conscious—and to see yourself as both the perpetrator and the target of your creation. You are not a victim of your addictions, or your cravings, or your unbridled desires. You are a fully responsible participant in your reaction to the choices presented.” Oneness by Rasha, p. (319)
Do you trust yourself to make wise decisions? Do you trust those around you? What is it that allows you to be trustworthy or untrustworthy?
The Role of Trust in Our Lives
What is the real nature of trust? Sometimes in my life I have trusted others too much, ignoring the obvious signs that this wasn’t wise; sometimes I’ve trusted too little. Basically, I’ve lived my life based on the philosophy that I will trust other people until they prove to be untrustworthy. That’s a very altruistic path and has often served me well, but not always.
When we expect the best from others, they often live up to our expectations. When we expect the worse, they often meet those expectations too. Our energy influences others more than we realize. So what causes some people to go through life feeling paranoid and sure they may be the victim of another scam, while others expect life to treat them well most of the time?
Trusting Others is Based on Trusting Ourselves
I believe how much we trust life and others is based on how much we trust ourselves. Do you think you make good choices most of the time? If you do, I suspect that you have developed a way of making choices that is based on your connection to your spiritual core. You have probably developed a decision-making process that produces positive results most of the time.
I’ve refined my process over the years, learning different strategies from experience and study. I know that if I feel fearful, I need to clear my mind by releasing the fear so I can see what the issue really is. Then I listen. What is my intuition telling me? I ask Spirit for guidance. I look at my own value system. Is this situation asking me to violate what I consider ethical?
Awakening to Higher Choices
Oneness says, “There are no definitive laws of right and wrong, beyond those you create and set for yourself. There are higher choices or lesser choices, in terms of the predictable consequence of certain actions.” (Page 318) When I taught high school in New Mexico, I taught a drama class, and among my students was a young man who was a senior and failing. His attendance had been poor, and he had completed only about half the required assignments. His parents asked for a conference with me and the principal. After I explained why he was failing, the principal said, “Now Ms. Spruce, what extra work can you give this young man so that he can pass?”
The parents of this student were members of the founding family of this small town, and I knew the principal felt pressured by this. On the other hand, school had already ended for all the seniors. Was it fair for me to create a means for this student to pass when I couldn’t make it available to other failing seniors? Should I save a student who had repeatedly ignored opportunities to make up missing work and who had chosen, for no legitimate reason, not to attend many classes? After thinking for a moment, I said, “No, there is nothing I can do. He’s made his choice and he has to live with it.” The principal’s face turned bright red. He was furious.
I knew that, by saying “no,” I would not be invited back the next year. Since it was my first year in that school district, I was on probation as are all teachers during their first year. As a result, if a negative evaluation were sent to the state, I could lose my teaching license. To cut my loses, I resigned, and fortunately found a position in another district.
Choosing the Spiritual Path
I have never, for a moment, regretted that decision. I knew then and know now that I chose the higher path. I could not offer this student a second chance unless I offered it to all my failing students. Did I feel like a victim? No, what I did was my choice. Was I angry and upset about the situation? Of course, I thought it was outrageous. But that’s life, isn’t it. It can be difficult and feel unfair, but we always have the choice to do what we want to do with what it offers us.
That’s why this partnership with Spirit is so important. Not every situation is something we can clearly accept or reject. When it’s unclear what to do, can you trust yourself? Can you trust your process? Can you trust Spirit? You feel you are a victim only when you don’t accept responsibility for your choices. When you accept that responsibility, you are empowered and trustworthy and following a more conscious dance.
How have you trusted yourself lately in a difficult situation? Please comment.
©2012 Georganne Spruce
Related Articles: Trust and Acceptance of Yourself and Your Power, Trusting the Tao, How to Learn to Trust Yourself, Have Faith? Try Trust
Awakening to the Dance 