With age comes experience
I don’t know if it is age or experience that makes us less trustworthy of those around us, but either way, I’m beginning to lose a little of the naiveté that accompanies youth and look at things in a slightly more skeptical way.
Even to myself, it’s been easy to see that my view of the world was seen through rose-colored glasses. Despite the things people would say or do, I was always looking for the good in people, the positive side. I would shake my head at my older and more suspicious sister when she would contradict my positive views, and through it all, I maintained my prospective that most people want to do the right thing.
I’m not sure if it is just due to the fact that I’ve gotten older, or to the fact that my theory has been proven wrong so many times, but lately it is getting much harder to maintain my positive outlook.
In the past, I would always try to take things at face value. If someone told me something, and it sounded likely, I would believe it. Why would they lie to me about that, I would wonder. Since then, I’ve had enough experience to realize that some people will lie about anything and everything, whether there is a reason or not. While that realization may save me some agony in the future, it feels pretty depressing now.
The skeptical view is probably a better view to have. Luckily my past views of people and my misplaced trust rarely affected my work, since there was often solid evidence to back up the information people would provide, but a less trusting view does indeed make for a better reporter.
I would imagine, being less trusting of people is also a better idea in everyday life. I was never so naive that I would believe those e-mails from a Malaysian lawyer who wants to wire $3.5 million to my bank account, or to trust strangers to watch my house or care for my children, but I was the type to leave doors unlocked, respond to the crazy looking person who said hello to me on the street and to constantly assume people are honest, even when they’ve proved differently.
In all honesty, I can say that being more skeptical of people is probably the smarter and more safer way to live. There are a lot of people who don’t have the best intentions, and knowing that can keep you out of trouble. I know that, but I can’t help but miss the naive person I used to be, and the carefree feeling of believing in everyone.
Even to myself, it’s been easy to see that my view of the world was seen through rose-colored glasses. Despite the things people would say or do, I was always looking for the good in people, the positive side. I would shake my head at my older and more suspicious sister when she would contradict my positive views, and through it all, I maintained my prospective that most people want to do the right thing.
I’m not sure if it is just due to the fact that I’ve gotten older, or to the fact that my theory has been proven wrong so many times, but lately it is getting much harder to maintain my positive outlook.
In the past, I would always try to take things at face value. If someone told me something, and it sounded likely, I would believe it. Why would they lie to me about that, I would wonder. Since then, I’ve had enough experience to realize that some people will lie about anything and everything, whether there is a reason or not. While that realization may save me some agony in the future, it feels pretty depressing now.
The skeptical view is probably a better view to have. Luckily my past views of people and my misplaced trust rarely affected my work, since there was often solid evidence to back up the information people would provide, but a less trusting view does indeed make for a better reporter.
I would imagine, being less trusting of people is also a better idea in everyday life. I was never so naive that I would believe those e-mails from a Malaysian lawyer who wants to wire $3.5 million to my bank account, or to trust strangers to watch my house or care for my children, but I was the type to leave doors unlocked, respond to the crazy looking person who said hello to me on the street and to constantly assume people are honest, even when they’ve proved differently.
In all honesty, I can say that being more skeptical of people is probably the smarter and more safer way to live. There are a lot of people who don’t have the best intentions, and knowing that can keep you out of trouble. I know that, but I can’t help but miss the naive person I used to be, and the carefree feeling of believing in everyone.
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