Trust (reflection)

As I was feeding squirrels in the park,I noticed a small one that didnt seem totrust me. While the others came closeenough to eat out of my hand, he kepthis distance. I threw a peanut his way.He edged up, grabbed it nervously,and ran off.

Next time he must have felt less afraid,because he came a little closer. The saferhe felt, the more he trusted me. Finally hesat right at my feet, as bold as any squirrelclamoring for the next peanut.

Trust is like that —it always seems to come down totrusting in yourself. Others cant overcomefear for you; you have to do it on your own.

Its hard, because fear and doubt hold on tight.We are afraid of being rejected, of being hurtonce more. So we keep a safe distance. Wethink separating ourselves from others willprotect us, but that doesnt work, either. Itleaves us feeling alone and unloved.

Trusting yourself begins by recognizing thatits okay to be afraid. Having fear is not theproblem, because everyone feels anxious andinsecure sometimes. The problem is not beinghonest enough to admit your fear.

Whenever I accept my own doubt and insecurity,I'm more open to other people. The deeper I gointo myself, the stronger I become, becauseI realize that my real self is much biggerthan any fear.

In accepting yourself completely, trust becomescomplete. There is no longer any separationbetween people, because there is no longerany separation inside. In the space wherefear used to live, love is allowed to grow.