Life is an ongoing process of discovery, so we’re constantly experiencing situations we’ve never faced before. For me, there doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by that I’m not presented with a brand new challenge! This is true for all of us, and while we rarely feel prepared for the next new thing, consider this. Has there ever been a challenge over which you did not ultimately prevail? I didn’t think so. Even though it doesn’t feel this way at times, deep inside, we have everything we need to live on the winning side of the street. In fact, you have resilience, resourcefulness, and drive that brought you victoriously to this time and place. This will always be the truth for your life, so embrace it, and live confidently!

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

Placed on a waiting list, chosen to be “first choice” in the “second round” if someone dropped out, she said, “Oh great, now I’m the best of the worst”. A few weeks and an attitude adjustment later, she happily announced her own acceptance, to which I said, “Well, now you’re the worst of the best! Is that progress?” She laughed. So, what is the moral of the story? Despite appearances, our worst situations should be filled with positive anticipation. Look at your life as it is right now. Would you consider yourself “the best of the worst”, or “the worst of the best”? I hope neither. Remember, everything changes. Your life is a process that ebbs and flows, and only your judging makes it seem “good” or “bad”. In fact, judging can stop fresh victories from flooding into our lives when we need them the most! It’s always too soon to say whether it's “good” or “bad”, or “best” or “worst”, so be thankful for what you can in your present circumstances, and be passionately hopeful! Victories are always waiting to break through, and your attitude can determine their estimated time of arrival. I hope you’ll give that some real deep thought.

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

Spring is a time of renewal when new life is budding everywhere! Yet, with all of these blossoms, and their promise of harvest, we must never forget the quiet roots that work through the dark seasons, providing strength for the blossoms to emerge and say, “I’m alive!” For every fresh victory blossoming in your life right now, there have been many “quiet root encouragers" along the way. Please take time to remember them, and to sincerely thank each and every one. “Thank you” is that special place where encouraging “quiet roots” and hopeful blossoms smile at the mysterious connectedness of life, and enjoy the harvest it brings.

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

If we receive praise, it's a good day. If we receive criticism, then it's a better day! Think of it this way. We get to refine ourselves through feedback, and when it comes to criticism, sometimes what feels like a bad day can really be a good day, although we may not know it until much later. If uncomfortable mirrors are being held up for you to look into today, don't wait until tomorrow to realize that this isn't necessarily a bad day after all. Get busy putting what you're learning about yourself into action, and make it a very good day, right now!

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™!

It’s often subtle, and we can easily miss the event if we’re not trained to look for it. This “main feature” is “now showing” in people all around you, and the event is “striving”. From the most ambitious “go-getter” to that so-called “lazy bum”, EVERYBODY has a stirring deep inside that desires to move them beyond themselves. I am certainly trying to escape “me”, and I believe that you are trying to escape “you”. We all yearn for this “great escape” to immensity, but we can’t do it alone. Just as we watch for a baby’s first step away from “babyhood”, so we should always be vigilant for that budding progression in others, as subtle as it might be. And at the slightest sign of someone’s emerging to the next level, we should call it by name, and open our arms wide to it, with smiles and celebration! One way I “escape me” is by striving to support others in their transcendence. Why don’t you give it a try! You’ll be less of you, and more of something far greater if you do.

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

If you want to be lifted up, look up! I know that might sound "religious" to some, but here’s what I mean. The next time you’re walking along outdoors, stop for a moment, bend your head way back, and look straight up at the sky. Here are some of the things I notice when I do this. My eyebrows lift up, my eyes open wider, and lots of light comes rushing in! I feel the muscles in my face stretch in such a way that when I look forward again, I feel like smiling. I notice my neck and trapezius muscles relax, showing me that tension was there. Of course, the sky itself is always sensational! Today, it was crystal clear, and deep blue, almost delicious looking. Look up! Do it lots. It’s free, and the benefits are incredible!

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™!

Our world is desperate for the high road of encouragement. The world is aching for Simple Encouragement®, the essence of “Life, healing and light™”. For me, there is no better thing to do than put words to paper that inspire people to make 2013 a year that embraces all of humanity in peace, with deep, sacred connection. 

Encouragement is cultivating people from all of your heart, to all of their being.

As a worldview, encouragement is an attitude of loving engagement, and what does this loving engagement reveal? Engaging others with an attitude of love, we are likely to experience hidden potential that the other can barely see, much less express. We may discover buried hurt begging for expression, and longing for the comfort of another. We might see a pocket of subtle shame, hiding, desiring a touch of understanding acceptance to free it. An attitude of loving engagement can speak “Life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness™” in a way that frees souls! This is the heart of Simple Encouragement®, and it will always cause the very best to rise in people.

It’s amazing what can be found deep within another when we search them with the right heart.

We can take one others for granted, you know, until that certain tragedy comes along. At those times, times of loss, we wish we had taken the time to really know that special being more deeply. When we search others with a heart that is free of pride, longing to give, and truly seeking to know, then we find the very best within them. Don’t be fooled by surface appearances, and remember, true love is curious, and cares to the point of action.

Help those around you to be bright! After all, they are your reflection.

I know; this is a hard one to “own”, but it’s true! Save for some unique situations, the look upon the faces of others tends to reflect the heart that is within us. Ponder that thought a bit, and it will certainly create the spiritual equivalent of “Happy Hour”! And when all is said and done, here’s the deal. Love is the flame. Encouragement is the spark. Feel the warmth!

Thanksgiving is a grateful state of mind, celebrated in heartbeats. Moment by moment, I am grateful for you!

Well, it’s true, and I thought it would be the ideal quote as I begin to close this article. I am so grateful to be able to connect with so many, helping you all to shine with “Life, healing and light”™ right there in your special corner of the world. You have a crucial mission to fulfill, so please, give someone the blessing of a “deeper you”. They deserve it, and you do too!

Aim high, hope deeply; expect miracles! I’m wishing you all a Simply Encouraging® New Year, and a blessed 2013!

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™!

The plight of a “caregiver” I spoke with is summed up in their statement, “Although I don’t suffer his condition; I suffer his condition”. It made me wonder; are people suffering my "condition”, or am I making it easy for them? In case you’re wondering, my “condition” is “humanity”, and we all suffer it sooner or later, in one way or another. Unfortunately, there are some conditions that come with great pain beyond our control, and we simply burden others for a season of time. Yet, many of our “conditions” are well within our reach; “conditions” like negative attitudes or selfish outlooks. Given the fact that we have to burden one another some of the time, I think we should “balance the equation” and comfort others where we can. And if you’re “suffering a condition” that is of your own doing, then please, clean it up! If it’s within your power, then “condition your heart” such that you are a comfort and joy to those around you. Joy to the world! Actually, what a wonderful mantra for the season, and all year long. Joy to the world… Live it!

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™!

“If our hearts are in the right place, we provide a soft light by which others can examine themselves without fear.” 

This is the third facet in the trilogy of Simple Encouragement® ~ “Light to darkness”. People have a conscience, and they examine it on the inside to the degree that they feel loved and accepted on the outside. Let’s not distract people with our judgments. Let's offer loving grace, and then marvel at how they grow in the “soil” of our caring.

Simple Encouragement® is, “Speaking life to potential, healing to pain, and light to darkness™”. It’s "A Quiet Cause” full of “Life, Healing, and Light!™” Feel free to “surf” around these pages, and I trust that you will enjoy the experience. 

I believe that encouragement is cultivating people from all of our heart, to all of their being, so I hope these writings will stimulate and encourage your highest calling. 

And remember, if you want to "delight", then "be light"!

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™!

As for me; I mess up, I clean up, and I keep my chin up! Keep moving in this spirt, and success is yours.

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™!