Do you readily think of your “loved ones” as both “loved” and as “ones”? Do you believe that they deserve your love, no matter what? Can you respect their “oneness” even when it’s challenging? Please take these questions to heart. Your answers can make all the difference in the world.

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

I told my wife that I was in a really bad mood, and she asked, “Do you think you’re going to lose it anytime soon?” Indignant, I shot back with, ”I don’t think I’m going to ‘lose it’ at all!” She just quietly said, “The mood; do you think you’re going to ‘lose’ the mood?” Oooooppps! So much for maintaining any semblance of dignity in THAT interaction! So, here are three simple points that you might want to keep in mind about “bad moods”. First, never announce that you’re in one to begin with; it’s plainly obvious anyway. Second, never trust the “interpretations” that come with a “bad mood”. You’ll feel quite right and even righteous in what you think, but you’ll act out in the midst of being very wrong, and wish you hadn't. Third, never defend your “honor” while you’re in a “bad mood”; it probably won’t turn out to be very “honorable” after all. "Bad moods" are real, and "bad moods" are human, but here's what I think. It might take a little bit of time and energy to quietly dismiss “bad moods”, and then, to cultivate “good moods” instead; but the dividends will always be sweet.

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

Sometimes we just have to be willing to say, “I’m not willing.” Sometimes, “No”, “Enough”, or “Stop” are the ultimate of empowering words. Sometimes these words are the “bunker busters” of long-suffering relationships, or rut-comfortable situations. Sometimes, clarity, and the courage of expressed and acted out intention will rock the world around us, eventually, changing it for the better. Radical honesty can be uncomfortable, but never allow “toxic” to become your “new normal”. Think of it this way. If you’re suffering with a relationship or situation, likely, everyone connected with you is too. Sometimes saying, “I’m not willing”, and really meaning it, is the most courageous and loving thing we can do. I know that sounds odd, but if you think it through, it won’t seem as negative as it sounds. Saying, “I’m not willing” will end relationships and situations as they exist, but sometimes, thanks to courageous love, they have an opportunity to “reset” and begin in a fresh, new way. How about you? Are you going the way of courageous love? What relationship characteristics or situations are you “not willing” to endure for even one more day? Take action! You’ll be glad you did.

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

Beware of what your relational “default settings” become, and this is what I mean. When you open a blank “Word” or “Pages” document, it always opens to the exact same font, line spacing, and pagination as it always does. You can make changes, but if you don’t save them and really lock them in, the next time you open a blank document, there you are, one more time, working hard to execute the changes that make the document pleasing to you. Relationships can take on their own default settings over time, all on their own, and it’s typically not in the direction of “good”. Every relationship starts with positive settings, but add years of career pressure, the stress of kids, financial or health challenges (the list goes on) and the “new normal” can become pretty empty and devoid of life. I help couples “reset” and come back from the pit, but believe me, it’s a painful and arduous journey. The better path is to agree on the “page settings” you want, the ideal default settings you desire, and then work every single day, mindfully and purposefully to keep them in place. Keep ever setting, resetting, and locking them in. Believe me, it’s far easier to maintain a positive relationship than it is to “reset” a negative one. Some suggestions for your relationship default settings are grace, encouragement, Simple Encouragement, playfulness, shared spirituality, and the exercise of corporate faith. Do this work consistently, day-by-day, and each morning when you open the “blank document” of your relationship, it will be guaranteed to open in a very satisfying way. I promise!

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

Have you ever done puzzles? If you haven’t, you probably have. Relationships are puzzling. We try to put them together. We try to make them pretty. We try to make them whole! It’s hard. And as if “pretty” and “whole” isn’t challenging enough, sometimes, maybe more, but sometimes, there’s just a missing part. Oh, that empty space. It can seem like the Grand Canyon! We anguish to fill it in, desperate to make it work, and we search for what is missing, but it just can’t be found. The more we anguish, the more we try, and the more we search, that missing part, that final piece to completion is simply not there. It’s a crucial realization. It’s a critical juncture. All relationships have a missing part, or two, or more. This is where love “kicks in”. Your love is either big enough to fill the void, or it’s not, but no matter where you’re at, it’s always good enough. Sometimes the puzzle just doesn’t work out. Sometimes a part is missing and you’re not big enough, yet, to handle it. It’s all right. The next step, always, is to grow in your capacity to love. Don’t worry about the puzzle. It will work itself out, or it won’t. In the final analysis, the puzzle with its missing part is not the issue. With or without the puzzle, love is. Keep growing in love, regardless of the puzzle’s fate. There will always be more puzzles. The question is, will you have more love to deal with the next one, and that inevitable missing part?

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

Doesn’t it really bother you when people are disrespectful? I know, but don’t give it too much power; they’re just acting the way you do, sometimes. And at least their rudeness frees you from having to show them respect, right? Wrong! I know, the common understanding is that people have to “earn” our respect, but I respectfully disagree. I think of respect as a personal outlook that we develop, or we don’t, and a commodity that we give freely to all, or not so much. This means that we show respect to all people, regardless, simply because that’s the kind of person we have decided to be. Respect sees people as precious, no matter what package they come in, and as incredibly worthy and full of potential. It’s amazing what can be found deep within another when we search them with the right heart. Don’t wait for people to earn your respect, cultivate it on the inside, and then give it freely. Instead of insisting on it, act upon it, and then watch the magic begin. I am, as always, respectfully yours.

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

The truth never hurts, but people do! If you speak from a heart of love and a vision of drawing others to higher ground, then your words will always heal life, not wound it. Truth, if it really is, can never come packaged in anything but grace. Beware of counterfeits! If the truth hurts, then it’s not truth, and it’s not about you. Seek truth. Respect truth. Acquire peace!

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright™!

I’ve long said, “Life is a series of ‘Hellos’ and ‘Goodbyes’, and the sooner we learn to do it gracefully, the better”. How do you handle the transitions of people coming and going in your life? Is it smooth and easy, hard and bumpy, or an emotional “white-knuckle” express? We tend to think of “Hellos” and “Goodbyes” in absolute terms, but it’s not that black-and-white. We’ve all had those brand-new relationships where the “Goodbye” at night felt like the end of the world, even though we knew the next “Hello” was only hours away in the morning. We say “Hello” and “Goodbye” to the various phases of life, and to the coming and going developmental stages of children as they grow. See how that works? Every “Hello” leads to a “Goodbye”, and I believe that every “Goodbye” leads to a new “Hello”, eventually, and that’s hope! Simple Encouragement® is graceful and hopeful as life ebbs and flows. Go ahead and jump in the stream! The water is just fine.

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright!™