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.

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.

As my friend told her mom about a recent interaction that we shared, her mother said, “He’s kind of like a brother to you”. I thought that was pretty cool because I do love my friend, you know, kind of like a sister! And now I’m thinking about how sharing love and Simple Encouragement® creates a network of special people, kind of like a family. My friend is kind of like a “sister”, which makes her beautiful daughter kind of like a “niece”. Of course, her wonderful husband (who is actually kind of like a “brother”) is now also kind of like a “brother-in-law”. And because of all this, her mom is, well, kind of like a “mom”! Isn’t love cool? New life and “kind-of-like” families always flourish where love is shared. 

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

Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Brighten Your Day, and Make Your Relationships Bright!™