In a movie I saw a while ago, Canadians were talking on camera about their daily lives and many of them mentioned they never lock their doors at home.

If youre reading this article in one of Americas big cities, youre probably laughing right now. It just doesnt happen here, in the States, right?

Besides the fact that theyre unusually nice people, whats wrong with our neighbors to the north?

Dont they get it? We live in a tough world, and you just cant get away with TRUSTING people this way. Sooner or later, your naivet is going to catch up to you, and look out!

Actually, this is an unfortunate frame of mind; the same suspicious one that maintains no good deed goes unpunished.

Trust is important to our health, and particularly to our mental health.

If we distrust our neighbors, our acquaintances, family, business associates, well always be in a state of stress. Our stomachs, hearts and minds will be clenched, and this will not only keep us from enjoying ourselves, it could catalyze the conditions that will precipitate an early demise.

When we distrust, were like police, constantly patrolling, protecting, anticipating the worst outcomes.

Recently, I had a business transaction in which my counterpart demonstrated he couldnt be trusted. I was disappointed, to say the least, and I had to fight off the temptation to cloister myself behind added rules and regulations and legal boilerplate before entering my next agreement.

But I stopped myself. I looked back on the hundreds of good relationships Ive had during the course of my consulting practice, and saw that this untrustworthy person was truly exceptional.

I can count on one hand the number of similar people with whom Ive had a problem.

So, I determined all of the armoring that I was considering was an over-reaction.

Instead of locking that door to my business, Id be slightly more Canadian about it.

For me, trusting is a happier way of doing business.