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.

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!

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

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".

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

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!

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

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.

Frustration! I’m having to deal with a completely fresh start, on my computer at least. After years of laying one updated “operating system” on top of another, something went wrong. I have to totally erase my hard drive, install a fresh “operating system” and then “cherry pick” the data I want to add back in. 

So now I’m thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to do that with my brain! In some respects that might be good, but we simply don’t get to do an “erase & install” on our lives. We don’t get to neatly “route out” our bad judgments, poor choices, or negative experiences. And as I think about it, I’m glad that it’s this way for us “human-types”. Every mistake is precious if we will just face them in the light, and we would lose so much if we could neatly erase them all, somewhere off in the shadows.

The process of learning from our mistakes actually has a wonderful effect. If I’m willing to face my “corrupted files”, understand them, and invite them to higher ground, then I grow in faith, character, and maturity. This can be a very scary process, but what incredible rewards! 

We try to “erase & install” in a gazillion ways, but we just end up doing more damage until our lives don’t work anymore. You know, kind of like my computer. Listen, I don’t like my “pockets of corruption” any more than you like yours. I’m just suggesting that if we’re willing to “Speak light to darkness”, then we can gain so much. 

Never fear your “corruption”. I know it’s there, and I love you anyway! And I deeply respect your courage to shine a light into it, learn from it, and grow in wonderful ways. Stop placing corruption upon corruption! You’re not a series of products that are good or bad. You’re SO MUCH MORE than that! You’re in the process of becoming more beautiful.

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.

I search for the essence of people. You know, that intrinsic, irreducible element that makes them special. Essence only reveals itself in relationship, and as a verb. Of course, a verb is a word that expresses an action defining the connection between two or more people. Verbs have something specific to do, an impact to make, and life to share. Verb-Essence is so special that when it flashes from beneath the swirling dust cloud of otherwise messy humanity, you experience it in a profound and deep way. It’s there inside of a newborn baby, it’s there upon the face that wears a hundred years, and it’s there within every human being of every age. Deep on the inside, you have an intrinsic and indispensable quality that only you can bring to this time, and to this place. This is your essence! You definitely have it, and it’s right there, right about where you place your hand over your heart. Your essence gains expression in so many ways and now, it just needs a name. Breathe, ponder, and watch what you do that lights other people up on a consistent basis. Eventually, this laser-like energy will reveal its name, and your life will take on new meaning. You will join the “movers and shakers” of the world, and that’s a wonderful tribe to belong to. We always know who they are because they express essence, and essence always compels others with its graceful, life-giving power. 

Simple Encouragement and Simply Encouraging areTrademarks of Simple E Creations, Inc.