“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” ~Ernest Hemingway

Small children are endlessly curious, and eager, and open.

Visiting my grandson, Peyton, I am reminded of the words we use to describe young children, i.e. children untouched by tragedy.

We use words like innocent and trusting.

We call them beautiful and wonderful.

And then they, like us, grow up, and what happens…?

Life.

And because we’ve all been hurt or betrayed or fired or cut off or left behind or tossed away, our trust compass gets bent, our curiosity quotient declines, and we wait to receive what we once willingly gave to others.

Because it happened in the past is not a good enough reason to hold back from what might happen in the future.

It has been my experience that when I trust someone, they often become more trustworthy.

When I listen to someone, they are often more likely to listen to me.

When I offer them aid, they are usually more willing to offer me theirs at some point.

I’ve seen the crustiest of curmudgeons crack in the infectious light of a child’s laugh.

Waiting for the other person to make the first move is a futile life strategy.

If you want more respect from others, give it first.

Want to be heard? Try listening.

Wanna’ crack a curmudgeon?

Remember your roots and act like a child: trust him.

First.