As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am often asked what are the key ingredients of a successful relationship. Trust is usually high on my list when I respond. Trust is one of the  essential ingredient to a loving relationship. Trust can be defined as the firm belief in the ability. reliability, and the strength of someone or something.  “Trust is earned”.  “Trust your gut”. What does this mean? What does that look like? How do the dynamics of trust play out in your relationship. For many people relationships can be reparative and can assist in re-writing your story. What are the barriers to trust? The constructs connected to trust include control, risk, confidence, power and meaning. How does this play out in your relationship with your spouse, partner, children or friends.  What are you sensitive to due to your past, the family you grew up in or an unhealed wound from a past relationship? What happens when trust is broken? Does it matter if it was due to competence verses benevolence? How would the repair within the relationship look different?

Trust requires a leap of faith. It requires hope. Hope for change. Hope that you WILL get through this. Trust requires a leap of faith that the person who makes your heart flutter will be there for you during the ups, as well as, the more difficult times. Trust in others comes through a trust in yourself. Trust that you will not let yourself down. Trusting that you will make decisions that are healthy for you and your relationship.  Trust that when “something comes up” in your relationship with yourself or others you will take the time to “figure out what’s there”. Trust that you will follow your bliss. Seek your happy.

You’ve got this. You can do this!

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
― Maya Angelou