He said, “I’m not going to let the little things get in the way of my doing the big things.” I knew her well enough to believe that she was thinking, “And I’m not going to let the big things get in the way of my doing the little things.” Now whether this was leading up to a difficult standoff, or if it was the beginning of a successful collaboration, I’ll leave to your imagination. Whether we tend to see the big picture or the minute details of our situations is a matter of individual “wiring”. Some people see a glass of champagne, while others count and analyze the bubbles! We will always have the extremes, and everything in between, but here’s the question. Do you choose up sides and dispute the differences, or do you realize that all around you is a perfect team that can handle every aspect of every dream that you ever want to achieve? I know that sometimes our dreams, goals, and challenges can make us feel overwhelmed and alone, but if you look around with anticipation, hidden resources will reveal themselves at every turn. I believe that, do you?

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

There’s a special sunlight that wants to shine through our lives to warm others, but we’re in charge of the “cloud cover”. On some days we can be “hazy”, letting people know the sun is there, but that it won’t be breaking through our fuzziness. This creates a state of “gloomy”. On stressful days, we can be “dark and stormy” complete with thunder and lightening. This leaves people to wonder if the sun exists at all, since it creates a state of “angst”. On better days, we can be “fair and bright” accentuating the sun with a contrast of deep blue sky and billowy white clouds. This creates a state of “let’s go outside and play!” Look over the days ahead and forecast the conditions that you want to create. Like the proverbial “weather man”, you won’t be perfect in your predictions, but you’ll have more “clear and sunny” days if you take the time to make a forecast! Remember, a special light wants to shine through you providing warmth to the world, and that’s a very special mission. Help those around you to be bright! They are your reflection.

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

You know that you’ve arrived when you become a verb. Of course, a verb is a word that expresses an action defining the connection between two or more people. Being a positive and proactive verb is a wonderful thing since “verbs” tend to leave endearing legacies. I used to be Thomas, but thanks to the social medium called Twitter, that has changed. When I actually get voice-to-voice with someone I meet in the “Twitter Stream”, I’m just as likely to say, “Hello, I’m Encouraging” as I am to say, “I’m Thomas”. You see, my “handle” on Twitter is @Encouraging, and that’s what I do over there. As the noun Thomas, I certainly exist with some interesting roles and job descriptions but when all is said and done, just what is a “Thomas” anyway? You see, nouns lack the deeper being or essence of a verb, so I’m thrilled to have become Encouraging! As Encouraging, I am the principal player at Simple E Creations, Inc. and the sole brain trust of the concept, brand, and worldview called Simple Encouragement®. Simple Encouragement is a simply encouraging way of being that relates to people by speaking life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness. As Encouraging, I stimulate others to grow, heal, and become real in their day-to-day humanity. Sometimes we encourage others when we nudge them from their stagnant noun-roles into vibrant missions reserved only for “verbs”. Have some fun discovering the verb-essence of others, and then give them a new name! You’ll see them morph into dynamic change-agents and if you think it through, that makes you a significant voice for positive change in the world!

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

To just cope with life is sad because coping has burdensome qualities like “to struggle”, “to contend”, “to manage”, or “to just get by”. That sounds like mere survival to me. I suppose that compared to not facing our challenges realistically, then coping is a good thing. But living is more than just struggling to stay afloat in a sea of challenge. We might seem destined to a series of “fight or flight” choices all the days of our lives, but there really is a better way. My most effective “coping strategy” is simply to love. If you take some time to seriously consider that thought, it will revolutionize your entire life. Cope less, love more, acquire peace!

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

As I hear the difficult and painful experiences of others, I listen closely for their “narrative”. A narrative is a deeply embedded story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Woven through the narrative is a theme made up of core conclusions about one’s self, life, and relationships that have emerged as a result of the challenge or hurt. As you might expect, depending on the amount of pain, the theme can become a rather limiting tune to which one dances for a very long time. I listen closely to the stories I hear because every painful narrative begs a new ending that is fresh and expansive. Every story of hurt is seeking a positive tune to which its essence can begin to move, and we’re a part of the dance! We become a part of this wonderful process by simply listening to the story with a heart that cares. If we’re listening for “the deepest desire of the heart”, then we’ll know instinctively when to ask a brief but powerful question, and the question is, “And now?” You see, the story is being told in the first place because it’s an “incomplete experience”. The question “And now?” invites a brand new theme that satisfies with a victorious note of closure, once and for all. Whatever you’re dealing with from the past, or challenged with in the present moment, I ask of you, “And now?” Fill your answers with playful sounds of love, hope, and positive outcomes. It’s your life, dance joyfully!

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

The door to a near lifelong dream suddenly opened wide to me this week! Just as quickly the door slammed shut, the deadbolt turned, and I could hear the key being thrown away. I did what any normal, well-balanced human being would do... I raged against the truth! After the tantrum, I stood numb before the door, disoriented and confused. Fortunately, none of that took very long for me to get through. And now? Well, now I’m noticing the hallway. It’s incredibly long, it leads in different directions, and there is an infinity of other doors, that is, if I could just begin to imagine a new dream. I also notice that there are a gazillion other people here in the hallway, and we’re all the same. Some are joyfully leaping through the doors that are open to them, some are knocking on other doors in eager anticipation of their opening, and yes, some are raging, while others are numb. As for me, I decided to encourage those that are right next to me. That’s what we can always be busy doing in the hallway; speaking life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness for those around us. And you know what? While I will receive a new dream, I’m beginning to wonder... could it possibly be that the hallway is simply the place where I need to be working with all of my might for the rest of my life? Maybe, just maybe it is. And if this turns out to be the case, then what a wonderful ride I’m on!

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

Stretches of beach compel me to walk along their waters. Mountain peaks call me up craggy trails to their panoramic summits. The full moon whispers me out of slumber in the middle of the night to gaze at its majesty. Nature is an encourager that compels, calls, and whispers to us in subtly activating ways.  Nature understands that “encouraging” is a verb, and consistently stimulates us towards actualization. Encouragement is a quiet power full of life, healing, and light and when we encourage others nature’s way, we will always stimulate them to positive action that exceeds their view of who they are, and what they can bring to the world.

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

Rhythm is a patterned recurrence of motion or sound. Music is full of rhythm, and it makes us "groove". The rhythm of the seasons is gentle and refreshing. The steady rhythm of a heartbeat is always a very good thing! But what about when rhythm isn't rhythm? As I listen to the ocean, I notice that there's nothing measured or predictable about the crashing of the waves. Big waves, little waves, and everything in between break at various intervals with a variety of sound, and there’s absolutely no rhythm whatsoever. Yet this random and unpredictable sound is incredibly soothing and relaxing. I think it's because the ocean's waves require nothing from us, except that we enjoy their nurturing melody. The ocean renders us pleasantly powerless, and its waves whisper, “All is going the way of love.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we accepted life with this very same grace?

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

I see increasing numbers of people who actually feel that there’s something wrong with them because they’re not happy enough, prosperous enough, or “present” enough. I call it “Happiness Induced Guilt Syndrome” (HIGS) and it’s becoming pervasive. People are feeling the unsustainable burden of “New Thought”, “Positive Psychology” and the “Law of Attraction”. “Happiness” is a new “god”, being “rich” is the coveted prize, and everlasting “presence” without past regrets or future fear is the emerging standard of emotional well-being. I absolutely believe that we should be ever orienting towards the beauty around us. There’s no doubt that it’s worthy to organize our energy around prospering in hope, gratitude, and love. Yet, can pursuit of such high commodities be real or good if they stress people out of their humanity? As essential to life as it is, drinking enough water can kill a person, so you get what I mean. No matter how diligent we are at cultivating the positive, and we’re wise to do so, we’re always going to have those seasons of tension and negativity. These states of “emotional poverty” will always be with us, but I think that we get through them quicker if there is a sense of their “okay-ness”. If we have special people around us to speak a light of acceptance and love into those dark corners when they emerge, then we come back to the light in a natural way. Personally, when I’m “there” I don’t want to be “fixed” by someone telling me to be grateful, happy, or to visualize unreasonable stuff. I just want someone to give me HUGS as I suffer through my HIGS. You see, at Simple E Creations, Inc. we don’t want to make you into anything. We just want to love you in the space that you’re in, providing fertile ground for a life force within you that seeks to rise. We’re here simply to speak life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness knowing that cherishing love puts courage into the hearts of others. “Hearts filled with courage can rise to any challenge", and it’s just that simple. To learn more about the Simple Encouragement® Movement, mosey on up to that pretty green button to your right, click on it, and then take a look around. I think you’ll enjoy what you experience over there.

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.

Some of the most powerfully encouraging statements begin with two simple words, and the words are  “I notice...” “I notice” says so much. “I” means my essence, my heart, and the whole of me. “Notice” implies an active desire to seek, “to know”, and to connect. “I notice...” says that “The heart of me cares to know the essence of you”. In fact, “I notice” that you’re on my website reading these thoughts, and that’s simply encouraging! Thank you so much for being a part of the Simple Encouragement Movement. I hope that you’ll take your loving heart, these two simple words, and make an incredible difference in someone’s life, sometime soon!

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging are Trademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.