I Have A Flaw And It Is....
Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
by Susan Thom
The most consistent flaw I think I have is the fact that I have always been too trusting. Too naïve to the way others think and talk and act. I always thought if I knew right from wrong, everyone did, and when I found over and over again that this just wasn’t so, it took me a while to change my character to protect myself and my family. I have always known what was appropriate and what wasn’t, my parents and their parents and siblings taught me well. I’m not saying I never did anything inappropriate, but I am saying that I have learned to think and act more from an impartial and somewhat skeptical point of view.
I always believed what I was being told, and later, found out I had been lied to and hurt behind my back. I have "assumed" that our best interests were at heart, but that was never the case. I was blinded by the feeling that all people were compassionate and honest. Ain’t necessarily so! When you are naive, you believe everyone is as honest and forthcoming as you yourself are, but eventually, the truth comes out, and it can be very painful. I think many have left their purse or wallet somewhere they thought was safe, only to have them stolen, or money taken.
The naiveté was to think that all others have as much integrity as you do. One might think to themselves, "I can leave my purse where I was sitting, I’ll be back in a minute", and unfortunately, there are times when the purse is gone when you return. Your disbelief comes from the fact that you would never think of taking something that doesn’t belong to you. "Naiveté." The realization that there are those that do, is a hard pill to swallow. Especially when you thought you could trust those you believed in. Lessons are learned through our mistakes.
Hopefully, next time we leave our seat, we’ll take our purse with us!
We may leave instructions for the baby-sitter not to allow the kids to watch certain inappropriate TV shows, or movies. We leave our house believing everything will go as planned, only to find out that they did the opposite of what we requested. Once exposed, the damage you’ve been trying to shield them from, is now ingrained in their brains, and there isn’t anything you can do about that. It took several years for me to get it straight in my head not to blindly trust anyone, and to totally trust those I care about and I know care about me. The wisdom to know the difference is the key!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Good article wit some good points here Susan. Yes we must be careful of those we trust.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,
thank you for reading and commenting.
i agree-we must be careful of those we trust.
my best to you,
suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I grew up not trusting anyone, as I grew up around professional liars and cons. Later in life, I grew to understand there are good and honest people as well. For a time in my life I may have trusted too much like you. However, I give almost everyone the benefit of the doubt as honest and forthcoming rather than being a dishonest twit. I have been fooled a time or two but I rather err on the good as opposed to the possible bad. And, if someone steals my wallet (I don't carry a purse) they better be fast because then I'll be a VERY angry guy and well.... you probably get the picture. Nice article Sue.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi steve,
i have given so many people the benefit of the doubt, and been raked over the coals, that i am left with nothing but doubt.
i have friends i can trust, and i know who they are, but in general, it's a jungle out there! :)
thanks for reading and commenting,
my best,
suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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