15 Paradoxes That Will Stretch Your Perspective on Life
The seemingly absurd truths
Paradoxes are fascinating. Mind-binding sometimes. I’m struck by how they apply to our lives. The seemingly contradictory things are often the wildest truths. These are 20 paradoxes I find particularly compelling and true to life. You might be surprised by how many of these resonate with your experiences.
1. The paradox of trust
To earn trust, you must first give it.
Trust means letting go. Trust means saying, “I believe in you,” before you prove it back. Trust creates trust. You can build it not by demanding it but by risking it.
People feel more inclined to trust someone who trusts them first. Trust taps into our instincts to reciprocate. Trust opens us. You let someone in, and that creates a chain reaction.
They see your vulnerability and want to protect it.
Yet, trusting too quickly can backfire. I could lose. You could lose. But that’s part of it — the paradox. Trust only happens if I risk that loss.
And that risk is what deepens it.
To earn trust, I let go of control. I act as if you won’t betray me. Then you do the same. It’s a leap, a two-way street.
