A couple of years ago, a patient shared with me a holy inspired method to temper reactivity and just let it be.

When a situation arises, give three days time: one day for mind, one day for body, one day for spirit. For some reason this trinity of letting it be really, really works for me. So much can change in a few days.  More information may present itself.  A dream may come. The whole situation may fizzle completely. Spirit may whisper in our ear.  

In the past, I used the rule of 5.  Will this matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 months, 5 seasons or 5 years? Framing with 5 helps me determine how much energy I want to give the situation.

I leave you with this final inspiration for the earth season.

Mary Altar in Oliva’s garden from our Garden Altars Class

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

Let it be, let it be (ooh)
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom (ooh)
Let it be (ooh)

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom

Writer/s: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Earth:     Lǎo shànrén kàn wǒ xìn shí. Wǒ xìn shí.

老善人看我信实。我信实。
Cleansing doubt & blame. Affirming信实xìn shí, the virtue of deep trust, integrity & trustworthiness.

~Confucian Chant, 500BCE

Trust (n) As early as 1200AD the word traust appears likely originating in the Old Norse referring to help, confidence, support, reliance from sound qualities; religious faith (v) have faith, to rely, make safe and strong *source

The emotional spectrum of the Earth element is worry to faith. The organs associated with the Earth element are the spleen, stomach and pancreas. Worry can manifest as blame and doubt, while faith express itself as trust and integrity. Worrying injuries these organs, while trust or faith heals and strengthens them. 

Suffice it to say, that trust (or mistrust) has been an element in relationships since the beginning of relationships. Trust (or distrust) has created empires and started wars. Although non-verbal, trust (or distrust) is apparent in animal behavior.  

How is trust developed?

Pause and allow yourself to answer that question. 

photo by TyliJura

Experts, leaders and psychologist agree upon several qualities that are essential to developing deep trust.  Some of those include:

• Reliability, predictability
• Care, compassion, empathy
• Authenticity, transparency, integrity
• Respect, benevolence
• Active listening & capacity to receive feedback

Do you agree?  What would you add to this list? 

Trust is an emotional process that is influenced by our attachment style, life experiences and personality. Trust is also a neural process influenced by oxytocin and dopamine and can also be linked to pool of hormones and neurotransmitters like cortisol, endorphins, GABA, endocannabinoids, etc.

The best way that you can find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them

~Ernest Hemingway