After a consultation, I called to thank the person who recommended my services. He seemed clueless who the people were, but after considerable mind-searching, he exclaimed, “I gave them your name over ten years ago!” There is much to unpack from this brief interaction. 

First, our timing is not the timing of another. A lot has to be reorganized on the inside for a recommendation to take hold. Second, our timing is not divine. Very often, external circumstances have to line up for the blossoming of our otherwise brilliant suggestion. Third, just because we have spoken, we are not in control of the idea. Invariably, inspiration has an intelligence of its own to be expressed in its own time.

I’m aware that Simple Encouragement tends to “roll this way” as well. We can speak “life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness” with no demonstrable effect, sometimes, until years later. However, it’s a sweet day when someone says, “I’m ‘this or that’ today because you saw the gift in me years ago, and cared enough to say so.” What a heartwarming moment when someone says, “I’m smiling today because years ago, in my quiet suffering, you noticed, and said, ‘You’re in deep pain with little hope, so I’ll have hope for you until your hope returns’”. It’s humbly empowering when you hear, “I was locked in guilt and shame and when you said, ‘I see your struggle with (fill in the blank) and I love you anyway’”, it gave me the strength to live in the light, and the power to overcome”. 

This is the trilogy of Simple Encouragement, relating in a threefold way that brings out the hidden gifts in others (life to potential), brings healing to closed off pockets of suffering (healing to pain), and through mentioning the “elephant in the room” with a heart of compassionate acceptance, sets others back upon their moral journey (light to darkness). Relating through this trilogy of “life, healing, and light” requires no special training, degrees, or mystical understandings. All it asks is a spirit of loving engagement, and a heart that cares. True love is always curious, and cares to the point of action. When true love cares, it will always speak “life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness”.

Simple Encouragement highlights a “trilogy of relating” that calls for you to be ever mindful of “life, healing, and light” in every interaction that you have. Practice Simple Encouragement and I guarantee that your relationships will naturally take on a subtle but growing intimacy. Simple Encouragement will always animate something in another that reveals a gift, heals a hurt, or breaks a bonding fear. “Life, healing, and light”… It’s just that simple!

Remember, when we have been truly encouraged, it’s a life-altering event! Of course, once you speak, keep in mind that your words WILL have an outcome, eventually, but instead of waiting for the result to appear, get busy speaking “life, healing, and light” to the very next person upon your path! If you stick to it, this habit will make you a change-agent extraordinaire, and the results will come at just the right time. 

I’m grateful for every heart that seeks to touch others with transforming love. Simply take “life healing, and light” as a mantra, and you will automatically begin to relate with others in ways that will give you tremendous significance in their eyes. Just remember, Simple Encouragement is never in a hurry, and it never has a goal since its motive is love. Be patient, and know that given enough “life, healing, and light”, you WILL change the world, one heart at a time. Think of Simple Encouragement as “a quiet cause” and if you organize your every interaction through these three beautiful “filters”, believe me, the magic will come.

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

More than a state of gratitude within oneself, “Thank you” is a statement of deep connection with another. “Thank you” conveys humility, surprise, and perhaps a little bit of awe. After all, it’s always “awesome” when someone delivers on our desires before we’re fully aware of their existence. “Thank you” acknowledges that, “I let go, and your love took hold!” It’s a statement of childlike excitement, celebrating the giver as much as the gift. Yes, I think it’s better to give than receive, but think it through. What better gift is there than “Thank you” expressed from a heart of delight?

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 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 love the idea of “mutuality” in relationships. For me, being “mutual” implies “an exchange of persons” where “I am yours, and you are mine”. If something troubles you, it will trouble me. If something troubles me, it will trouble you. My heart senses your desire, and your heart senses mine. I’m clearing the way before you take the next step, and you help to guide and protect my steps as well. This isn’t codependency where there is a loss of self and a confusion of boundaries, it’s cherishing! Mutuality is a “state of being” where healthy and aware egos set themselves aside to serve one another. It represents a condition of love where there is absolutely no room for fear. Mutuality is a value where each gives one hundred percent, and no one keeps score. This is the level of care I want to provide for others. This is a level of care I desire for myself. May we all be inspired to aspire to this kind of love.

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

Have you ever held a life in your hands? I suppose all kinds of things are going through your mind right now. Sure, a newborn child counts. Dying “brothers in arms” count too. Life beginning, life ending, but what about YOUR life? Do you realize that you hold your very own life in the palm of your hands? That counts, a lot! And with every person you meet, in some way, shape, or form; you hold their life in your hands as well. Be tender, be careful, be compassionate, and be intentional with your love. Hold all life this way, always, mindfully certain that you’re leaving it with your special touch of "Life, healing, and light™".

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

If you’re interested in speaking “Life, healing, and light™” into the lives of others, please take some time to read about “Simple Encouragement®” by clicking on the green “Movement” button to your upper right.

Someone told me, affectionately, that I was a “pain”. I immediately shot back with, “I’m not a ‘pain’, I’m a gentle stimulant in the ‘oyster’ of your group. Eventually, I’ll help you to produce a beautiful pearl!” Don’t settle for the status quo! You have a great brain and a playful spirit, use them to gently stimulate growth in everyone and everything around you. We’re all here to create life and most times, that process requires a little bit of friction. Please, don’t be afraid to stir things up, creating pearls! Eventually, people will love you for it.

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®!

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

“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?

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

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.

Sometimes we feel bound by fate. Other times we claim free will. It may seem like we’re powerless, yet power can flow from our release. Why do we cling to “either/or” when we can have it all? Can you hold the tension of loving someone you’re angry with? Do you dare to give it away when you feel like you don’t have enough? Life is far too clever to be a paradox. I try to choose “the mystery of both” because it sets me free! Encouraged people embrace mystery. They’re playfully comfortable with what they don’t know. They claim strength in weakness. They give and they love, just because they can. Encouraged people are mysterious folks! What do you think?

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