I love “Eves” because they’re very different from plain old “evenings” or “nights”. An “Eve” is the evening or night immediately preceding a special day, and on the most popular of “Eves”, there is always a powerful energy of eager anticipation. “Eves” tend to vibrate with childlike imagination about the specialness of the day to come, ever hopeful of fresh starts, and new beginnings. The “Eves” we share in common are incredible, but I have to wonder. What if we treated every single evening or night 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. As every evening approaches, and every night arrives, treat it as the “Eve” of an incredible tomorrow!  When you lay your head upon your pillow each night, fill your imaginings with outrageously beautiful and abundant thoughts of the day to come. And remember, “Eves” are magical, and dreams do come true.

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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 seems happy, connected, and free of care. Yet in the midst of it all, there are so many people 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. In 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. And think about it, perhaps cherishing love is the greatest gift that you could ever give to anyone! In this special season of light, shine a light. In the year to come, BE the light!

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

I wrote a quote some time ago, and I’ve refined it slightly over time. It occurs to me that it represents a philosophy of life, a way of being, and it speaks to the very heart of the Simple Encouragement® Movement. I find it to be full of “Life, healing, and light™” and perhaps you might agree. Here is what I said.

“I paint my past with hues of grace, erasing all regret. I color my future in shades of love, removing all fear. The moment is now, and it’s time for broad brushstrokes of hope.”

Isn’t that refreshing! Please take some time to really reflect upon every line. I think each one holds the potential to revolutionize your life, and yes, to be Simply Encouraging® too!

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I recall a very dark period of time when my heart was broken, my faith had run out, and I’ll never forget the incredible expression of caring that caressed my despairing heart.

“I know it’s horrible for you right now, and your grief is fine with me. I’m here, and I’m going to have hope for you until your hope returns.” 

Those words carried such acceptance, power, and comfort. Somehow, they created a pinpoint of light in the midst of my black experience. This is a perfect example of “Speaking healing to pain”, one aspect of the Simple Encouragement® Trilogy. 

Never be afraid of the despairing, grieving, or lost people upon your path. Just be with them in quiet love. If you need words, and they should always be few, then now you have a “script”. 

You see, encouragement is putting “heart” into the “heart” of others. By “heart” I mean “courage”, and by “heart” I mean “soul”. A few heartfelt words touched my life with a seed of courage that tipped the outcome of my trial towards victory.

You can do this! Please, take the “script” as your own, and always remember, "Hearts filled with courage can rise to any challenge".

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Not everyone has faith, and that’s fine along the way, but almost everyone has hope. Hope is that thing you sense will happen even as your “head” tells you it’s impossible. You know it’s hope if the vision keeps coming back despite your psyche’s pesky insistence on logic. Hope is intuitive, and it springs from a place of knowing that knows a whole lot more than your head! Don’t ever allow logic to discourage any dream that’s alive within you. Remember, the dream is the reality. Hope in the hope!

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You’ve all heard the expressions when someone exhibits a particular interest, potential, or passion. She’s going to be the next “this person”, or he’s going to be the next “that person”. As for me, I don’t want to be “the next” anyone! I mean, why would I want to do that? I’m having way too much fun in the process of becoming “the very first me”! I’m so grateful that you’re here reading this and becoming “the very first you”. Keep becoming the unique and special being that you’re here to be, and never, ever settle for anything less. Remember, you have the freedom to become the very best you that you can be!

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

Conversation, struggle, pause, reflection… “I’m fighting my own destiny!” How pure, honest, and true. How we all fight our destinies through the traps of analysis and logic until we find ourselves deep in the hole of second-guessing, paralyzed. The situations and people you find before you today ARE your destiny! Engage them, love them, treat them respectfully, and leave them all just a little bit better than you found them. Fulfill your destiny today and believe me, the world will be a whole lot better for it tomorrow!

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

Early Sunday morning finds me pondering grace, and the way I’ve spoken about it over the past few years. Here are some of my all-time favorite thoughts on the matter, each with a brief narrative to provide depth. Enjoy!

Grace is kind, gentle and she covers others in beauty. Deep down, we all long for her touch.

Here I personify grace as a feminine power. It seemed to upset a few people who immediately unsubscribed from “Simple e-Couragements”. That wasn’t graceful. We all have the capacity for both feminine and masculine energy, and grace weds them seamlessly. Think of it this way, wouldn’t you like others to cover you with beauty when you feel less than attractive in your being? Of course you would.

Grace is a state of the heart that can move mountains.

Grace is powerful. By “mountains”, I mean those difficult relationships that challenge us all from time to time. It’s natural to want predictability, virtue, and kindness from others but in case you haven’t noticed, this isn’t always the way that it rolls. Be kind and gentle when people are less than perfect. See them as beautiful when you feel they’re not, and you’ll begin to experience the power of grace. 

If love makes the world go 'round, then grace keeps it on its axis.

I smiled as this line was inspired within me. I always love when a lot is said with a little. Love and grace have a special relationship. I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but I know that they do. I’m learning that I don’t have to figure everything out, and that embracing mysteries can be very sweet to the soul.

Encouragement offers a graceful hand, and travels lightly with others.

I think encouragement and grace also have a special relationship. I suppose this is a mystery as well, but I do know this. Simple Encouragement® is never in a hurry, and it never has a goal since its motive is love. We’re living in some particularly challenging times and we all need a little tenderness. Today is always a good day to gently take someone’s hand, and simply enjoy them.

Encouraged is the heart touched by grace. 

Please take some time to read about The Simple Encouragement® Movement. When we meet others in a spirit of loving engagement we are likely to see a hidden potential that the other can barely see, a buried hurt begging for expression, or a pocket of darkness begging for release. An attitude of loving engagement can release hidden potential, heal buried hurt, and bring light to darkness in a way that frees souls. This is the heart of Simple Encouragement®!

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“You know, I think I’m going to make it through another day!” This is what I find myself saying when people ask the perfunctory, “How are you?” I like it because it seems to draw folks from a state of “minimum gesture” into maximum engagement. You have to admit, my answer does create a certain dissonance, like an odd chord in a beautiful symphony. Is it cynical, or hopeful? Is it flippant, or sincere? Is it dismissive, or reaching? The answers to these three questions depend upon the heart with which the statement derives, so here’s what I think. It’s hopeful because it has the entire day covered with victory. It’s sincere because it’s what I truly believe deep on the inside. It’s reaching since I think the statement ends with an invitation to share in an atmosphere of caring. Can we get any better than “hopeful of victory”, “sincerity of belief”, and “reaching that cares”? I genuinely do think I’m going to make it through another day, but it’s really more than that. I want to live my moments victoriously, faithfully, and deeply connected with others. How about you?

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I find such joy in sharing “Simple e-Couragements”, and it’s exciting to think that they are touching hundreds of people all over the world! “Simple e-Couragements” are gifts of love to all who receive them and in that, we share a wonderful connection. Here are some of my all-time favorites, each with a brief narrative to provide depth. Enjoy!

Hearts filled with courage can rise to any challenge.

I love this one! I think of the “heart” as the totality of our thoughts, affections, and purposes, all overlapping and infused with the power of our spirit. Encouragement happens when our anticipation, hope, and love dances with the hesitation, doubt, or fear of another. In fact, this is the magic place where courage appears! Encouragement is having "heart" for the other when the others "heart" fails.   

Encouragement animates people, and incites them to carry out their very best.

Simple Encouragement® will always animate something in another that reveals a gift, heals a hurt, or breaks a bonding fear. It’s just that simple, and it’s not difficult to do. When you have the opportunity, come on back and take some time to read about “The Simple Encouragement® Movement”. Just click on that pretty green button to your upper right. I think you will really enjoy what you find there.

You have resilience, resourcefulness, and drive that brought you victoriously to this time and place.

This one is very special to me. Think about it; there’s nothing that you have ever faced over which you didn’t ultimately prevail. You have something deep on the inside that has enabled you to endure painful losses, face scary challenges, and conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges. That makes you an incredible winner! 

Encouragement whispers “I love you” and never stops. 

I love encouragement. It’s such a powerfully quiet force, and I’ll prove it to you! With every person you meet, whisper “I love you” deep inside of your heart. Do this consistently for a month, and it will revolutionize your life! Love when you don’t feel like it. Love when the other seems unlovely. Love, just because you can! Believe me, you'll make a difference in the world, and others will love you for it.

Help those around you to be bright! After all, they are your reflection.

I think we have a responsibility for one another’s fulfillment. Oh, not in a codependent fashion, but in the sense that we are wise to conduct ourselves in such a way that predisposes the very best in those around us. If your loved ones are your reflection, what do you see?

Encouragement offers a graceful hand, and travels lightly with others.

Encouragement isn’t at all concerned with the big strokes or the ultimate outcome. Encouragement cares about the process, and making it loving in nature. Encouragement knows that if the process is loving, then the outcome will always be good. Encouragement watches for the very next step that another person is about to take, and makes sure that it comes down upon a foundation of grace. 

When we have been truly encouraged, it's a life-altering event!

I think that pretty much says it all!


And you are all my reason for being!

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