Riker Talks To Data About Trust.
I recently had a conversation with someone who said that she has a hard time trusting people. I relayed the following Star Trek conversation to her as an example. Yes, total nerd move.. But hey...
Riker Talks To Data About Trust
Data: Recent events have left me puzzled Sir, It has been days since Ashara left, and yet my thoughts seem to dwell on her, almost as if I am experiencing a feedback loop in my numonic network.
Riker: I know what you mean.
Data: It is curious, that I was so easily misled.
Riker: Make that we...
Data: Yes Sir
Riker: Data Sit down.
Data: Thank you Sir,
Riker: In all trust, there is the possibility of betrayal. I am not sure you were prepared for that.
Data: Were you prepared Sir?
Riker: I don't think anybody ever is.
Data: Hmm... Than it is better not to trust?
Riker: Without trust there is no friendship, no closeness, none of the emotional bonds that make us who we are.
Data: And yet you put yourself at risk?
Riker: Every single time.
Data: Perhaps I am fortunate, Sir, to be spared the emotional consequences.
Riker: Perhaps.
We all learn from love and betrayal. We learn not only about other people, but also about ourselves. It is part of how we grow and develop. I have been betrayed many times, after putting trust into people who I probably should have been more wary of. And yes, sometimes that hurts... Sometimes it hurts a lot. But it becomes part of who we are. It lets us know that we are alive. Some of the most memorable moments in anyone's life will be the absolute joy and bliss of love, but also the completely lowest points of betrayal and anger, typically after a break up. And really, it is those moments that we seek. You can't have highs without lows, just as you can't have lows without highs. Keeping an even keel on a mirror surface of water isn't difficult, but you also don't have too many good stories to tell once the voyage is over.
That being said, by no means do I suggest trusting just anyone...