Why is this? Why are there so many compassionate people that cannot seem to find each other. It is like we wander around, trying to figure out who to believe and who not. Trust. Who do you trust, loved ones, not necessarily, especially when it comes to money. I have come to the conclusion trust no one. Especially, in business. Always back yourself with contracts before doing anything! Or else it will bite you in the rear. Looking back at my life, there are so many times when I have been naïve, and because I am naturally a compassionate person, I have entrusted many situations, which could have turned out different.

So when do you reach the realization? How many times does it take getting burned to change your trust values?

Yet another aspect of deception and trust, relationships. Whether between friends, or a significant other; integrity is the question that remains. Always look for warning signs when involving yourself. Obviously there will not be a contract in place (unless pre-nuptual before marriage) to ensure that you will be in the best interests of the other individual.

Do you just deal with it the best you can or separate yourself? That is a hard one to determine, especially in an intimate relationship. How much should you put up with before it consumes you? I would say only a couple of times of deceit. The reason I believe this, is that everyone deserves a second chance. So if after the first time you have determined by the recourse of the other individuals behavior, and they are sincerely remorseful. Then the second deceit will be obvious if they will create a pattern out of it.

At this point RUN like the wind. Some people are who they are, and have no desires to be better. Make justifications, excuses, instead of thriving to hold integrity.

Sometimes someone will ask me a question, that I know they do not want to hear the truth about. So I respond with: Are you sure you want to ask me that? If you do not want the truth don’t ask me. Even though truth is hard to swallow, it is much easier than swallowing a lie. The truth is like swallowing a pill with fluid, it doesn’t get stuck somewhere in between. Lies become unforgotten and unforgivable, same with deceit.