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.

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.

As he tried to resolve an issue with his sixteen-year-old, she was surly and disappointed at her dad’s handling of matters. In the darkest moment of the discussion he said, “I know you’re frustrated, but this is the first time I’ve raised a sixteen-year-old daughter. Be patient with me, and we’ll get through this together”. The teen’s surliness and disappointment immediately gave way to openness and warmth. “Dad’s” humble statement conveyed a potential for resolve, empathy for his daughter’s pain, and hope for their dark despair. One loving interaction spoke life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness and this is “Simple Encouragement” at its best! “Simple Encouragement” always speaks life, healing, and light to difficult situations because it humbly seeks to know, and to be known. Deep down, we all crave this kind of loving intimacy and care.

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

To “cherish” means to tenderly nurture another. We do this because we think of them as having value. “Cherishing” nourishes a person with special caring that seeks to increase and strengthen them in every respect. One synonym for “cherish” is “encourage”, but cherishing is much deeper than praise or cheering up. Cherishing is an intimate form of connection that I call “Simple Encouragement”. It’s cultivating people from all of your heart, to all of their being. It speaks life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness. Isn’t this really the kind of relating that we all desire deep down inside? Practice “Simple Encouragement” today and you’ll be more fulfilled tomorrow! By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about “Simple Encouragement” then click on the green “Movement” button to your upper right, and enjoy what you find there.

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.

This is the season of spiritual light where celebration and joy abounds. There are festive rituals with candles lit, colorful lights, gifts exchanged, and grand meals shared amongst family and friends. There is hope of reunion, reconciliation, and peace. Worship overflows from grateful hearts, and the heavens rejoice at the outpouring. For a season, everyone is happy, connected, and free of care. Yet in the midst of it all, there are so many who are suffering quietly. Oh, they go through the motions, complete with smiles and the just right words, but look very closely. There is a slight turning away when loved ones are mentioned, as they privately remember a loss. There is that subtle “glazing of gaze” when gifts are exchanged, because they feel shame over a hurting financial condition. Every now and then there will be a slight tear shed for a broken relationship, quickly whisked away so as not to be a burden. As we enter this season of spiritual light, so many people are suffering so deeply, deep within their souls. Please take time to notice, dare to give it voice, and care enough to lend a hand. Believe me, your joy will be deeper and more complete if you do. Speaking light to darkness is one aspect of Simple Encouragement®, and we illuminate the world just a little more with every small step that we take in that direction. As we give these Simply Encouraging® Gifts to others, we truly make spirits bright! 

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