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!

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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.

I had an interesting awareness as I coordinated the recent activity of my bank with my computer financial program. I highlight each banking transaction and if it matches my computer ledger, I have to click the “accept” button in order to reconcile the activity. There were so many transactions the other day that I just kept clicking, and out of boredom, I found myself saying out loud, “Accept”, “Accept”, “Accept”. There was a transaction to IRS. “Accept.” Hey, the payment for my new iPad is showing up! “Accept!” Oh, it’s that time for the Homeowners Association dues. “Accept.” Wonderful, I transferred some money to savings for our vacation rental! “Accept!” It dawned on me that while I “accepted” every expense, I “agreed” to each one with varying levels of enthusiasm. In all of life, there is a vast difference between “accept” and “agree”, and it’s important to realize that “to accept” does not necessarily mean “to agree”. Like my checking account experience, we must often be “accepting”, but “agreeing” is optional. Acceptance is an attitude that something is believable and should be received as true, whether we agree or not. You know, kind of like my taxes. Certainly, we should always seek to change things for the better where we can do so without harm, yet there is so much in life that we are powerless to change. This is where the distinction between “accept” and “agree” is crucial. I have observed that we can do more harm to ourselves by resisting certain truths than simply accepting the truth itself! Acceptance respects truth, and always lives in peace because it has no demand for agreement. May we all find the empowered serenity that comes from honoring this important distinction.

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

Playfulness is a wonderful state of being that embodies freedom and ease. It knows no obstacles because its energy receives challenges with creativity and hope. The moral compass of playfulness is simple in its purity and love. Playfulness has a childlike nature that always maintains an outlook of innocence. Sure, some things in life are serious, but we don’t have to be afraid. Playfulness knows no fear because encouragement is its steady companion. If we engage the shadows of life with a playful spirit, our friend encouragement will always be right there with us, and hearts filled with courage can rise to any challenge!

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I love “Eves”. “Eves” are very different from plain old “nights” or “evenings”. An “Eve” is the night or evening immediately preceding a special day. On the most popular of “Eves”, there is always a powerful energy of eager anticipation. “Eves” tend to bring hope of life, fresh starts, and new beginnings. “Eves” are infused with childlike imagination about the specialness of the day to come. What if we treated every single night or evening as an “Eve” that was about to give birth to the most incredible day of our entire life? I think that it would somehow revolutionize our whole existence. Remember that today is the “Eve” of tomorrow, so mosey along now, and do something special to celebrate!

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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.

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.