How do we learn to trust again?

Now there's a loaded question we've all asked ourselves. I figure that after a long relationship ends with a 25 year old chick involved - what more will life throw my way? She's almost half my age for crying out loud, what could she possibly offer him? Never mind, don't want to know. Or what about the time I lost friends over a divorce - what kind of friend is that anyway?

Regardless of anyone's situation, we all have them - insecurities... you know, "who's going to step on me today?" How do you get past hurt feelings, bad memories and mean thoughts? So again I ask you... how do we learn to trust again?

I'm trying to figure this one out, I'm open to any suggestions. I'm not really your gal who will tell you to "hope and pray for the best" - I'm the type of person who needs to see results... being an analytical and creative person - both right and left sides of my brain fight for attention! So therefore, I WANT to believe in people but I need to see results that people are trustworthy... Are you with me?

Any of my friends and family know that I cant stand the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason" - if I hear that one more time in my lifetime I will jump off a cliff. So, I heard about a book on the radio that is about the power of coincidences. I read it during the holidays. It is called "The God Winks" - and no it's not necessarily a religious book (that's not for me) but, it is about how different happenings or circumstances in your life lead you down a path you really weren't looking for. A laid out plan if you will... God's plan.? When you start to see this pattern then you realize, hey, maybe this is in a plan and that, well dare I even say the words but "maybe everything really does happen for a reason." I struggle with it, but I am at least more open to it. This happens in situations with my job, my friends, a relationship...whatever it is going on in my life that sort of changes my life's path.

Wow, deep huh? Yeah, that's what's inside my head. So with all of that being said I go back to my original question, "How do we learn to trust again?" For me, I'm looking for coincidences, I'm trying not to wonder anymore about what someone is or isn't doing. I'm looking for confirmation in return. I am learning to trust again and I'm open to letting people back into my life. I am letting my guard down. What about you?