"人を信頼し信じなければ人生は成り立ちません。"

When you think about it, the essence of the quote is pretty straightforward: to navigate life successfully, you need to have trust and faith in others. Otherwise, everything just falls apart. It makes sense when you break it down. If you’re constantly doubting everyone you meet, assuming the worst about their intentions, how can you build relationships, work in teams, or even enjoy a simple conversation?

Let’s zoom out a bit. This idea isn’t new. Historically, trust has always been the glue that holds societies together. Think about communities, families, and friendships—they all thrive on trust. Without it, you’d find paranoia and isolation creeping in. A society without trust is like a machine without oil; it seizes up and can’t function properly. Take the Cold War, for instance. The lack of trust between the US and the Soviet Union led to decades of tension and the constant threat of nuclear war. That's a pretty extreme example, but it underscores the point.

Now, let’s bring it down to a personal level with a real-life example. Picture this: Jane is a manager at a thriving tech startup. She’s got a talented team, but she’s a bit of a control freak. She micromanages everything, double-checks everyone’s work, and doesn’t believe anyone can do the job as well as she can. What happens? Her team becomes demoralized. They stop putting in their best effort because they know Jane’s just going to redo everything anyway. Trust is shattered, productivity plummets, and the innovative spark that made the startup special begins to fade. If Jane could learn to trust her team, believe in their abilities, and let go a bit, she’d likely see them flourish and the company with them.

So how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start small. Trust is like a muscle—you’ve got to exercise it to make it stronger. Begin by delegating a little more at work, or by sharing something personal with a friend. Notice how it feels. Sure, there’s a risk involved. Sometimes people will let you down. But more often than not, they won’t. The benefits of building strong, trusting relationships far outweigh the occasional disappointments.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend. They’re venting about feeling overwhelmed at work because they can’t rely on their colleagues. You might share this perspective with them. “You know, if you try to do everything yourself because you don’t trust anyone else, you’re going to burn out. Maybe try believing in your team a bit more. Give them a chance to step up.” It’s not just about making life easier—it’s about creating an environment where everyone can succeed.

In the end, think about how much richer your life could be with a foundation of trust. Strong friendships, effective teamwork, and a sense of community all stem from believing in the people around you. Sure, there’s always a bit of risk, but isn’t that part of what makes life exciting and meaningful? So give it a shot. Trust and believe in people—you might be surprised at how much more possible life becomes.