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.

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.

I love to see surprise in motion. I love to see the reactions that come with it!  “I never imagined I would be rich!” “I never dreamed I could own a home!” “I never saw myself with a college degree!” The list goes on, and you’ve all experienced this phenomenon. Perhaps there is a “Law of Attraction” that serves to make specific things happen for people, but certainly, given all the "never's", there is a “Principle of Surprise” that thrills to delight us in unexpected ways. This “Principle of Surprise” loves to visit from time-to-time, inviting us all to live in anticipation of things we could never have seen in our mind's eye, dreamed of, or imagined for our lives. And who knows? Today could be YOUR day for a visit! Be on the lookout for good and surprising things. 

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.

My friend called early to ask how things were going, and I told him, “Oh, I’m off to a cynical start on yet another broken day”. He laughed and said, “Great, ‘Mr. Simple Encouragement’, I dare you to blog about that one!” Given that I’ve been dubbed “a cynic to tradition” I thought, “Sure, I can do that!” So, inquiring minds want to know. When is the last time you went for a twenty-four hour period without someone or something frustrating you, hurting you, ticking you off, or generally letting you down? Just as I thought, yet another broken day. I know that all the days of our lives are precious, but each one holds a wrinkle of brokenness right out of the box. And you know what? We’re supposed to be ready to iron out those wrinkles as they appear, and we do this by giving forward the “right stuff” as the sun comes up. You know, “stuff” like understanding, grace, compassion, and acceptance. There’s even a name for it, and I call it “fore-giveness”. Here’s how it looks in “real time”. Ooops! There’s that fender-bender caused by the other guy. Covered with understanding! Someone just made a mean-spirited comment. Covered with grace! A hurting person just appeared from nowhere sending my whole schedule sideways. Covered with compassion! My vacation starts tomorrow and the forecast is rain. Covered with acceptance! You see, love in all its forms is the warmth that smoothes out the wrinkles that come with everyday life. At some point in the next twenty-four hours, you’re going to have a wrinkle, guaranteed! Just remember to apply the loving warmth you started with this morning and if you do, you’ll make it all just a little bit smoother for you, and for everyone around you. Always keep in mind that warm, forward-giving love will always make for smooth sailing, even upon the stormy seas of our otherwise broken days. 

Simple Encouragement and 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.

Is it good or bad? Right or wrong? Healthy or dysfunctional? The true answer can only come from one’s conscience and typically, if the question appears, then the conscience has already spoken. While these black-and-white questions seeking answers on the outside only cloud and confuse, there is a question that settles all arguments, once and for all, and it’s this. “Is it beneficial?” Are your thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships beneficial to having a sense of peace deep on the inside? It seems to me that this grace-filled question carries with it empowerment that speaks “Life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness”. Is it beneficial? I love that question! It’s so gracefully guiding. It seems to love me and if you give it a chance, it will love you too.

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.

Most days, somewhere along the way, stress comes calling, and I struggle to just get back to “Thank you”. I know that in this special place, all is going the way of love, and everything is perfect. I know that if I can just get to back to “Thank you”, I’ll be fine. It seems that it would be so easy to get there, and to stay there, but it’s not. I won’t give up, and I hope this sharing will strengthen you in returning to “Thank you” time and again. Thank *you* for being here! *You* are my reason for being.

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

It was one of those moments when I said, “Awwww, we’re just little fish in a great big pond.” Without hesitation my wife said, “Woohoo! We have room to grow!” And you know what? She was right! So here is my question to you. Right here and right now, where do you have room to grow? Come on, you know the answer! You just heard that tiny, little voice deep on the inside telling you exactly what you need to be doing differently, and precisely how to do it. My simple resolution this year is to get real comfortable with “that voice”. In fact, I’m even giving myself a “double dog dare” to do a lot of what it says! How about you?

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