Psycho-Goop. It’s that infinitely complex space between people, and it keeps mankind in a befuddled state of relating. Psychology can’t seem to master it. Religion isn’t highly effective at reining it in. Physicians can’t medicate it into anything that appears rational, and we’ll never figure it out. Psycho-Goop is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved. Psycho-Goop smiles at love, and it frowns at fear. It laughs out loud with grace, and rages against judgment. When we dissect Psycho-Goop, relationships die. When we fill it with love, laughter, and acceptance then relationships shine like the sun. Healthy Psycho-Goop is always marked by this childlike simplicity.

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

It’s that time of year when the days grow ever shorter and for me, there is a gentle turning within. This is always an adventure, quiet as it is. What will I discover in my reflections as the year rolls quickly to an end? A year of play and toil, laughter and tears, highs and lows, faith and doubt... and now? I love that question at the end of every road. Two simple words hold so much power to complete an experience in a way that binds or liberates our souls. We all have a deep responsibility to our “And now?” questioning. I hope you will fill your answers with love, light, and hope. 

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

A woman was telling me about her efforts to break an unhealthy habit. In the midst of her sharing she said, “I know what you’re thinking; ‘Dirty, dirty, little sinner!’” I had a good “belly laugh”, and she laughed with me knowing what I was laughing at. I said that I’m not even capable of thinking that way and I asked her, “Where did THAT come from?” She said kind of sheepishly, “I guess from me”. I think healthy relationships have enough love to tolerate imperfection, and to shine a soft light for the soul seeking to find higher ground. In fact, “light” is a characteristic of “Simple Encouragement”. “Simple Encouragement” offers acceptance and laughter as the context for our imperfect striving, helping us to become more perfect! “Simple Encouragement” fuels “perfection”. Be real. Be encouraged!

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

Think about it. It takes a second to conceive a child, and it takes a second to smile. A heartbeat is likely about a second, as is a breath. It takes about a second to say, “I love you”, and about a second to caress someone’s hand or face. And when all is said and done, it takes about a second to die. The “wisdom literature” tells us that eternity is set in people’s hearts, but for now, I am very aware of the ticking of the clock. Eternity is “big”, but seconds count.

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

“Simple Encouragement” is an attitude of loving engagement that speaks life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness. Deep inside, people will always require a spark that ignites, heals, and frees them. To be whole, people need others giving voice to hidden gifts that they have yet to acknowledge, whispering to buried hurts crying out for expression, and offering acceptance to pockets of darkness begging for release, all so that higher selves can emerge. This “spark” is “Simple Encouragement” and through exploring its many undiscovered facets, I hope that we call all become creators, healers, and light-bearers in the lives of one other. Welcome to the journey!

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

I was talking with someone who had worked with a tribe in South America. He obviously loved those people and I asked him what made it so. He said, “They’re humble so they’re happy, and they smile all the time”. How profound! Humility knows instinctively that affirming the inherent worth of all people is the path to self-respect. In fact, humble people are more concerned with others and their needs than they are with their own. Humility understands that in caring for others, it will always be well satisfied. Humility is quietly proud and deeply secure in its being. In the quest for happiness, perhaps humility is the way. Be real. Be encouraged!

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

Almost everyone has a cell phone and understands “signal strength”. You know, “five bars”, “two bars”, a “half bar”, or “Oooops, my signal faded”. What is your “signal strength” as others are talking with you, or you with them? Truly respectful communications require “five bars”. Perhaps we can get by on “four bars”, but “static” begins to form in the discussion when we drop to “three bars” or less. Expect a conflict if we register “signal faded” when we are sending or receiving an important message. How strong is your “signal strength” as you listen to the loved ones in your life?

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

As I began a telephone consultation with a client, he cautioned me. “I’m home today because my little girl doesn’t feel well. I gave her a ‘tiny little bell’ to ring if she needs me while I’m on the phone.” He assured me, “Don’t worry, you’ll barely hear it.” I thought that was so special! I thought it was beautiful and I said, “That’s kind of what we do with our loved ones. We give them a figurative ‘tiny little bell’ to hang on their hearts so only we can hear their quiet rings of desire or need”. If we love, then we keep “mental room” for our loved ones, always maintaining a “track of vigilance” for what they’re doing, how they’re feeling, what they need, always prayerful… Always tuning an ear for the subtle ringing of that “tiny little bell”. This is a characteristic of relating that makes all of our loving relationships so uniquely special, and ever growing. As for me, I hang “tiny little bells” on the hearts of my loved ones, listening for the unspoken desires and needs that only my touch can fulfill. How about you?

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

People are asking me about the closing comments on my Blogs, “Be real. Be encouraged!” Here’s what I tell them. “Countless ‘experts’ want you to be happy, rich, and famous. I just want you to be real.” I think I encourage “realness” with stories about the obvious but unacknowledged stuff of life. Sometimes life just rolls along, and it seems uneventful, but it’s not! Life is so rich in it’s humblest of forms, and we can miss it if we’re crazy with seeking greatness and great things. Sometimes greatness is found in contentment with the small stuff. There is something sacred about a freshly vacuumed rug. My soul is cleansed as I rinse a dirty dish. Folding my clothes just right gives me inner peace. Clean your bathroom with excellence today, rule the world tomorrow! Yep, you get the point.  Be real. Be encouraged! 

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

As I walked by the water, a woman literally “galloped” up to me from where she had been sitting. She was grinning from ear-to-ear and exclaimed more than asked, “How far do you go?” A little “off guard” I said, “At least a couple of miles”. She held up her palm and with a great big enthusiastic smile said, “High five; that’s awesome!” I reluctantly joined in the sweaty “high five” and moved on with my walk feeling as if I had somehow been changed. This “galloping”, grinning” woman made something “special” that I was treating as “routine”. She transformed my routine walk into an Olympics event! In a brief moment she spoke life to potential, and this is “Simple Encouragement” at it’s very best! And the rest of my walk? Are you kidding? I “ran” with wings on my feet! Well, you know, to the degree that I can do THAT. I didn’t win a gold medal, but you get the point. Be real. Be encouraged!

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