Edification is a sorely lacking commodity I believe within society. Its use allows for a connection to be had that goes far in cultivating appreciation and inner strength. Along with several other positive manifestations. When used correctly that is (deserved) and not just a form of manipulative flattery, which I despise.

You mention appreciation of not being in an echo chamber and I applaud such sentiment. I've been able to dispel many areas of ignorance within myself by just such an approach. The realization one is not the facts and thoughts one has collected allows one to set aside many of the defensive postures we as a species adopt when we believe we are the scripts that run within us. I've found that either ideas I hold are either more strongly affirmed by a contrasting narrative. Or often as well, there were faults within my own that weren't readily apparent to me when I adopted them.

I too have been a doubter since quite an early age. Due to trauma that occurred quite early, that continued compounding through my formative years there was no escaping from what I saw. When I was around five I can remember praying to God for the wisdom of Solomon. I was confused by all of the contradictions around me, including from those entrusted for shaping my views and responsible for my safety. I was still naive enough to think the fault in understanding surely rested within me that I couldn't understand the pretensions. I laugh in hindsight at the good natured naive little boy I was.

You ask how I keep from having a general distrust. Sadly one must have distrust in my opinion. Once one ascertains however that the person(s) or scheme isn't an unavoidable trap that is harmful however one can modify (a less defensive posture) how one interacts within the distrust.

What I've found goes far in mitigating the damage this distrust causes is discarding to the extent one can the merchant mentality that has been implanted within most of us. In recognizing that others aren't the scripts they parrot, and that if I deal with them from a position of not needing from them I am now free to have understanding and patience with them. I fail at times as the script sometimes thrust at me is sickening to my spirit, but it helps in understanding others to recognize what their actions and words are really conveying which so often is not what they believe they are saying. I also fail at times because there is still much pettiness within me.

I've reached the conclusion that individually we are powerless to save our neighbors from themselves. The best we can do is be as unobtrusive as we can with them unless they give an opening (some would call it an omen) that is inviting for one to introduce a new script that is more beneficial to balance and health.

I mentioned above about operating from a position that is not the common merchant mentality approach. One of the best ways I've found of embracing this is through acts of kindness for another with no expectation of compensation, no expectation that it much of the time will even be recognized occurred. For at least that small position in time, one alleviates the pain on a micro scale another is carrying and chained themselves to. Perhaps it might be enough to make them pause their script, or perhaps the momentary alleviation of their burden will allow them to also have a gesture with another later on in their day. Without even realizing the why, as they were often so absorbed by their script they weren't listening as they waited impatiently to reinforce their script as they focused on what they needed to say or do next to give life to their perceptions.

I appreciate your asking my thoughts on this. I find it refreshing to be asked such things. I choose not to allow my thoughts on such subjects to be obtrusive on others I encounter as I recognized long ago they were not generally interested. So often as is the case, my words are not released. I'm honored you opened the door for this to happen. Thank you.