The 5 Letter Word….

The Five-Letter Word That Changes Everything

I've been thinking a lot about something lately. It started with an unexpected pull—one of those nudges that feels almost divine in nature. I found myself drawn to watch pairs figure skating, something I had always appreciated due to my background in dance, but this time, it felt different. I wasn’t just enjoying the athleticism and artistry; I was witnessing something much deeper—an unspoken force that made their movements seamless, their performances breathtaking.

It was more than skill, more than talent. It was something invisible yet powerful, something that held everything together. And as I watched, I realized what it was: trust

The Science of Trust: How It’s Formed and Why It Matters

Trust isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s deeply embedded in the way our nervous system and brain function. Neuroscientists have discovered that trust is closely linked to oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone.” When we feel safe and connected, our bodies release oxytocin, reinforcing our ability to trust others. This explains why a newborn instinctively trusts its mother—there is an innate biological drive toward connection and safety.

But trust isn’t just something we are born with; it’s also something that is learned—or unlearned—through life experiences. When we experience consistent care, reliability, and emotional attunement as children, our brains form strong neural pathways that reinforce trust as a natural state. However, when trust is broken—through trauma, abandonment, betrayal, or repeated disappointments—our nervous system adapts to protect us. Instead of releasing oxytocin, our bodies flood with cortisol, the stress hormone, preparing us to be on guard.

Over time, if we experience too many breaches of trust, our brain shifts into a defensive state, making it difficult to trust others—or even ourselves. We learn to question our instincts, doubt our decisions, and fear being vulnerable. This is why rebuilding trust isn’t just about making a mental choice; it requires rewiring the nervous system so that trust feels safe again.

Losing Trust: The Subtle Erosion Over Time

Trust, in its purest form, is natural. It’s the way we’re designed to experience life. But many people don’t even realize when trust begins to erode. It doesn’t always happen in dramatic betrayals. Sometimes, it’s the small moments that chip away at it:

- A caregiver who was emotionally unpredictable.

- A teacher who dismissed your creativity or curiosity.

- A relationship where your needs were ignored.

- A business venture where promises weren’t kept.

- A time when you ignored your gut and paid the price.

Each time trust is broken, a subtle message embeds itself into your subconscious: I can’t trust myself. I can’t trust others. I must be on guard.

And so, we learn to overanalyze, control, or detach. We become self-reliant to the point of exhaustion, or we seek external validation to feel secure. But deep inside, the yearning for trust remains.

How Lack of Trust Affects Relationships

When trust is absent, relationships become fragile. Whether it’s a romantic partnership, a friendship, or a family dynamic, the foundation of connection is weakened when trust is uncertain. People who have been hurt before may find themselves expecting betrayal before it even happens, unconsciously pushing away the very love they crave. They may struggle with:

- Fear of vulnerability—avoiding deep emotional connection.

- Hyper-independence—feeling like they can’t rely on others.

- Difficulty receiving love or support—always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Trust is what allows love to flow freely. Without it, relationships become guarded, surface-level, or filled with unspoken fears.

How Lack of Trust Impacts Business & Career Success

In the business world, trust is everything. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or a creative visionary, your ability to trust yourself—and allow others to trust you—determines how far you go.

When trust is weak, you might:

- Second-guess every decision, delaying opportunities.

- Hold yourself back from being seen, fearing judgment.

- Struggle to delegate, believing no one else can do it right.

- Fear investing in yourself, doubting your own capabilities.

Successful entrepreneurs and leaders don’t just trust in their abilities; they trust in the process, the timing, and the people around them.Trust allows expansion. Without it, everything feels like an uphill battle.

How Lack of Trust Blocks Spiritual Growth

At the core of spirituality is the ability to surrender—to something greater, to the unknown, to the deeper wisdom within. But how can you surrender when you don’t trust?

When trust is weak in your spiritual journey, you may find yourself:

- Seeking control instead of flow—trying to force outcomes instead of allowing things to unfold.

- Doubting your intuition—questioning whether your inner guidance is real.

- Feeling disconnected from divine support—struggling to believe that the universe (or God, Source, Spirit) truly has your back.

True spiritual growth requires **trusting yourself and the greater intelligence guiding your life.** When trust is restored, life flows with ease, synchronicities become normal, and the path ahead feels clear, even when it’s unknown.

The Skaters: A Lesson in Trust

Going back to the figure skaters I was guided to watch—what struck me most was not just the trust between them, but the deep trust each skater had within themselves first. They trusted their training, their abilities, their instincts. Because they trusted themselves, they could trust their partner and their coach.

Imagine if you had that same unshakable trust in yourself. Imagine moving through life knowing you could rely on your own wisdom, your own power, your own truth.

Rebuilding trust is not just about healing from the past—it’s about choosing to reconnect with the deepest part of yourself.

And when you do? Life becomes effortless. Decisions become clear. Relationships become safe. Business becomes expansive. Spirituality becomes a knowing, not a search.

I guide Soul Breakthrough Experiences —These are profound, powerful, and life-altering journey to help you reconnect with yourself at the deepest level. If you’re ready to restore trust, awaken your power, and step into a life of ease and flow, I invite you to join us.

Are you ready?

Much love,

Kathryn

www.kathrynmalek.com