There is a difference between trust and faith.

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We can trust ourselves, yet still not have faith.

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It is important to know when we need which one.

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And to build upon the one we need most.

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Trust allows us to operate in a world with confidence.

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We trust that we will receive our mail, have food to eat, and be safe when we leave our home.

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We trust in the systems that are built around us, transportation, banking, healthcare and education.

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Our trust allows us to get up in the morning, do our work, and make a contribution.

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The trust we have in ourselves, in our ability to make decisions and keep ourselves healthy and safe, is earned through our experiences in life.

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Yes, trust is earned.

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It is earned by ourselves and by others.

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Faith, on the other hand, is a belief.

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It is that quality that transcends trust, to something greater.

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We have faith that things will work out.

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We have faith in those beliefs that offer no concrete experience.

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Faith takes us where trust cannot.

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It moves us forward in the darkest hours and in the most difficult situations.

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When we have faith, we can step out into the unknown and still thrive.

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We can trust ourselves, yet we have to have faith that that trust is not misplaced.

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Trust takes hard work to build up, and can be easily broken.

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Faith comes to us for no reason at all, and stays with us through the most trying times.

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Knowing whether we need more trust or more faith is an important distinction.

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Do you need to trust in someone more or have faith that regardless what that person does, things will be okay?

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We can have faith in Life, and trust that we are doing our part.

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So next time you face a challenge, it might be helpful to ask, Do I need more trust or more faith?

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Both are necessary.

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Our job to learn when to lean on and develop which one of them.

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~ Sam Liebowitz, The Conscious Consultant