I’m friends with a guy who professes that he wants to start a new business. He’s told me of a vision that he has for this new venture, but feels stuck on how to get started and then how to proceed.

skepticalHe has examined business development websites and those of consultants who advise in the business arena he’s pursuing. His conclusion: “They’re all offering up a sales pitch which increases my skepticism that all they want is my money.”

Some people can’t seem to trust anyone or anything. They’ve been “burned” or “scammed” or “had” so much and so often, their lives can’t help but be ruled by pessimism and cynicism. They’ve adopted a set of automated predeterminations that not only keep them from getting what they want, but also keep them from believing that getting what they want is even possible.

We can’t thrive without trust in something or someone. We may be able to survive, but it will be a life of slogging through territory where we see only enemies and villains.

The planet Earth is essentially a rock hurtling through space. If we’re able to trust that it won’t teeter off its axis enough to keep us from going to work tomorrow, then we can trust that there is someone out there who honestly has our best interest in mind.

There’s someone out there to help my friend get his business started. Only he can decide if he’s willing to take the risk to trust that this is so.