After my recent burn - due to someone sharing an email that I wrote in confidence, having that blown up into a huge deal, and then being tattled on to the Mayor of our town (seriously, folks, it doesn't get odder then living in a small town). I believe she didn't really mean to send it to an entire group of people, but she did and I have to live with that. There wasn't anything in the email I wouldn't have said in person, but I know that people read email with much more emotion than hearing words.
Do I want to live in a way where I can't trust anyone? Not really. I like thinking that most people are honest; that they make mistakes, but they are not malicious.
When I shared the whole story with a friend she said I just can't trust anyone.
But really, who wants to live like that. It makes us seem tribal and ready to pounce at any minute.
I would rather trust and be rattled by the outcome than live in fear.
Does that make me nuts though in this conspiracy day and age? Am I just asking to be hurt? What about you? Are you certain that at any moment someone is going to take something you said out of context? Are you extra careful about what you share? Do you live a dual life - one where you are really you in private and then a separate personae in your work life? Seriously, what is your take on this?
Photo Credit: NotSoGoodPhotography
