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.

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.

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.

A woman was telling me about her efforts to break an unhealthy habit. In the midst of her sharing she said, “I know what you’re thinking; ‘Dirty, dirty, little sinner!’” I had a good “belly laugh”, and she laughed with me knowing what I was laughing at. I said that I’m not even capable of thinking that way and I asked her, “Where did THAT come from?” She said kind of sheepishly, “I guess from me”. I think healthy relationships have enough love to tolerate imperfection, and to shine a soft light for the soul seeking to find higher ground. In fact, “light” is a characteristic of “Simple Encouragement”. “Simple Encouragement” offers acceptance and laughter as the context for our imperfect striving, helping us to become more perfect! “Simple Encouragement” fuels “perfection”. Be real. Be encouraged!

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

Think about it. It takes a second to conceive a child, and it takes a second to smile. A heartbeat is likely about a second, as is a breath. It takes about a second to say, “I love you”, and about a second to caress someone’s hand or face. And when all is said and done, it takes about a second to die. The “wisdom literature” tells us that eternity is set in people’s hearts, but for now, I am very aware of the ticking of the clock. Eternity is “big”, but seconds count.

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

“Simple Encouragement” is an attitude of loving engagement that speaks life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness. Deep inside, people will always require a spark that ignites, heals, and frees them. To be whole, people need others giving voice to hidden gifts that they have yet to acknowledge, whispering to buried hurts crying out for expression, and offering acceptance to pockets of darkness begging for release, all so that higher selves can emerge. This “spark” is “Simple Encouragement” and through exploring its many undiscovered facets, I hope that we can all become creators, healers, and light-bearers in the lives of one other. Welcome to the journey!

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

Almost everyone has a cell phone and understands “signal strength”. You know, “five bars”, “two bars”, a “half bar”, or “Oooops, my signal faded”. What is your “signal strength” as others are talking with you, or you with them? Truly respectful communications require “five bars”. Perhaps we can get by on “four bars”, but “static” begins to form in the discussion when we drop to “three bars” or less. Expect a conflict if we register “signal faded” when we are sending or receiving an important message. How strong is your “signal strength” as you listen to the loved ones in your life?

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