The Power of Trust, Seeking Spirituality, Faith, and Opening Up

Over my many years of being a therapist, certain core issues have been raised time and time again by my clients. As such, I want to share my thoughts on the importance of building trust, seeking spirituality, having faith, and opening up to others.

Building Trust

For me, trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. It's essential to trust your friends, family, and loved ones. Trust allows us to open up, be vulnerable, and connect with others on a deep level. Without trust, it's hard to build strong relationships, and we may feel isolated and alone.

Many years ago, I had difficulty trusting women. I have been through a few relationships that ended badly. Then I met my future soulmate. When I told her that I did not trust women, she felt hurt. I didn’t want her to feel hurt. I didn’t want to hurt her. So I decided to give her the gift of full and complete trust. She proved that she was totally worthy of that trust and we later married and have had the most fantastic relationship that anyone could ever imagine.

Seeking Spirituality

Seeking spirituality and belief in a higher power is also important. Many people find that having a spiritual practice helps them connect with something larger than themselves. It can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and it can be a source of comfort and strength during challenging times.

Prayer is one way to explore new possibilities and connect with something greater than ourselves. It can be a way to express gratitude, ask for guidance, and find inner peace. Prayer can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.

Having Faith

Having faith is another crucial aspect of life. Whether it's faith in a higher power or faith in yourself, it can help you overcome obstacles and pursue your dreams. Faith gives you the courage to take risks, and it can help you see the world in a more positive light.

Opening Up to Others

Opening up to others can also create new possibilities. When we share our thoughts and feelings with others, we allow them to see us as we truly are. This can lead to deeper connections and new opportunities for growth and learning.

Years ago when I was just beginning my career as a psychotherapist, my mentor Dr. Robert Martin warned me, that the female that I was involved with was going to be trouble. He pointed out that she was emotionally closed down.

He was right. When she was threatened with opening up about her repressed childhood trauma, she bolted. I had already begun my incredible journey into deep self-exploration and self- transformation with Deep Feeling Therapy. I realized that opening up was a process.

I finally understood what opening up and being closed down really meant. It changed my life. Most people don’t really realize the difference between being emotionally open and being closed down. There is a huge difference. It’s going from being repressed to being completely in touch and having access to the deepest and highest parts of the self.

Creating more peace, joy, and love in your heart with everything you do is a worthy goal. When we approach life with a positive attitude and an open heart, we can experience more happiness and fulfillment. It's important to take time to nurture ourselves and those around us, to practice self-care and self-compassion, and to cultivate gratitude and kindness.

In conclusion, I believe that building trust, seeking spirituality, and having faith can bring more meaning and purpose to our lives. Prayer and opening up to others can help us explore new possibilities, and creating more peace, joy, and love can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. As the saying goes, "knock and the door will be open, ask and you shall receive."

So, let's knock on the door of possibility, ask for what we need, and embrace the wonder and beauty of life.

#Love - Paul J. Hannig, Ph.D. LMFT

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Paul J. Hannig, Ph.D. LMFT is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in private practice in Southern California. His goal is to help his clients define who they are, overcome obstacles, deepen relationships, conquer anxiety and depression, and evolve to the next stage of their lives in the most successful and productive way possible. For more information, visit www.psychotherapyhelp.com.