“Secrets are the things we give to others to keep for us.”

  – Elbert Hubbard

 People seldom tell their own secrets.  Think about it, most of the secrets we come across are shared in the course of conversation, listening to other who may be going through a struggle or we just stumble across something others do not know.  Most people do not talk to you with the intent to tell you their secrets.  When someone contacts you and says, “I need to tell you a secret”, chances are good it is not their own.  As Charles Caleb Colton said, “None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them.”

Success-Minded People know that to keep a secret is to hold a trust.  Success-Minded People should never have to be told not to share a secret or something personal that belongs to others.  They can be trusted to listen, share their honest opinion when asked for and that all they know will stay with them.  Nothing is more hurtful than to know someone you trusted has betrayed you confidence.  Success-Minded People believe the words of author Oliver Herford who said: “A man is known by the silence he keeps.”

                Not only can a Success-Minded Person be trusted to keep a secret but they can be trusted not to hear one either.  Here is a steadfast rule that you can rely on: If someone tells you someone else’s secret, never tell that person one of your own.  If they share someone else’s they will without a doubt share yours.  And never, never accept the excuse it is to pray for someone.  I had a friend years ago who whenever you went to her with a “prayer request” for someone she would stop you and say, “Let’s pray.  God knows the need.  It is not my business to know it.”  And she would pray.  That is always a good rule to follow.

              I realize that there are those who tell their secrets to everyone and do not think first of who they are talking too.  Then they are hurt and upset when they find the world knows their business.  It as poet Khali Gibran said: “If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.”  Always be selective who you share your secrets with and be sure you can trust them.  Queen Elizabeth 1 of England said “Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested.”

In a world where gossip and betrayal are more common than trust and loyalty we all need someone who we know we can trust – even when we don’t ask them to keep the secret.  Someone who is safe and trustworthy that we know no matter what they see or hear it goes no farther than them.  Be that person.

 © 2012 John Patrick Hickey