Life Lived Loyally

Loyalty – put simply, a strong feeling of support or allegiance – is an emotional commitment in increasingly short supply.

A central issue is that there is a strong bond linking loyalty and trust. One without the other is destined to fail.

As a society we find it difficult to trust. We live in fear of rejection. Non-acceptance is a dread.

Loyalty does not exist in a vacuum. It’s a two-way street. In order to give support we must first feel supported. Successful relationships are all about give and take where both parties involved meet at a central point.

It’s when we experience more take than give that we feel betrayed. When honesty is sidelined trust and loyalty lose their lustre.

The world is a volatile environment. Communities also have their flashpoints as do families. That results in individuals being guarded and protective. More time than should be necessary is spent watching our own back.

It’s important to guard against becoming jaded to the point where we can no longer trust in what we think and what we feel. Suspicion of self can be generated by surroundings and events, many of which are outside our individual control.

Self-doubt can destroy confidence and erode the loyalty we need to have to the person we are.

Ensuring our head is aligned with our heart is the first step.

That can take work and creates a situation that requires maintenance. But trust and loyalty to self is central to mental wellbeing and balance.