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!

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

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!

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

One of my greatest accolades is from a revered professor saying, “Thomas listens, and he hears too!” What wonderful praise for a “budding healer” to receive but alas, it was "just" encouragement. It spoke to a surface observation that he had made, but there was more. This grand man had looked deeply into my being, and his words brought out a gift I barely knew I had! The words coming out of our mouths are important, but the heart speaks quietly of the hidden potential, buried hurt, and shameful fears that it cares to notice. When these delicate observations are expressed, deeper connection occurs! We encourage when we observe, and say, "Good job". This is good, but it’s not intimate. Simple Encouragement® seeks to know and to be known, and therefore it’s a deeply intimate activity. Simple Encouragement® cherishes others, and studies them in their deepest parts. Its goal is to speak life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness. This will always free others for their highest good! Encouragement gives courage for the task; Simple Encouragement® gives life for the journey. It’s just that simple.

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

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. While we'll never figure it out, we CAN enjoy it, and I hope you will!

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.

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 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.

I was kidding my friend about his brother and mom. I said that I was going to write a blog titled, “Jack Doesn’t Like Me, But His Mother Does”. It’s a long, funny story but it made me think. How often do we get “hung” up” on someone who doesn’t prefer us only to lose the sweetness of enjoying someone who does. Do you do that? Sometimes I do, but you know what? I think that in his own odd way, Jack likes me just fine. 

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