Have you ever heard the phrase, “We feed off of each other”? I have, at least a gazillion times throughout the years. It means that two people feast on the negativity of one another, and then recreate it in never-ending and destructive cycles. So, what’s the remedy? That’s easy! Use the very same statement, but subtract the words, “off of”. What’s left is this. “We feed each other!” You see, relationships will always be about giving and receiving energy. Ideally, we take in energy from our positivity-giving habits, and then feed others with it as love and caring. If we’re busy overflowing with nourishing “food”, then we’re not as susceptible to feeding "off of" emotional garbage, and getting sick from it. Do you have a loved one who frustrates you from time to time? You probably do, because that's life, so remember; you have a fundamental decision-point to deal with every time the cycle begins to occur. You can feed off of it, and get sick, or you can feed them with higher love, and the two of you will thrive. I know this seems hard, but feast upon positive stuff, and then keep your "feel good" energy flowing by “feeding” others with it. Always be prepared to love. Love when you don’t feel like it, love when the other seems unlovely, and love, just because you can!

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Simply Encouraging® Stories & Narratives to Lighten 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.

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™!

I've challenged so many people to leadership throughout the years, and very often, this is what I hear. "They won't let me lead!" What?!? Since when does a leader need permission to lead? I understand that leadership brings resistance, because leadership invites change. But if we serve and love out of an inspired vision, the resistance relaxes, and identification with the vision we're moving towards begins to take hold. We become less, the vision becomes more, and then, the mission completes itself. See, isn't that easy? All it takes is radical commitment, years of precious life, relentless hard work, seasons of loneliness, unwavering faith, laser focus, incredible love, grueling sacrifice, and ultimately, the willingness to become invisible to that, which is greater. Our culture is desperately hungry for leaders that serve and love. Any volunteers? 

(And in case you’re wondering, what you just read applies whether you’re a friend, spouse, parent, politician, CEO, or the president of a country! Read it again from your particular perspective, and you’ll see what I mean).

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 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™!

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™!

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™!

Voice stressed, she asked, “What do you do when you don’t know what to do?” My instinctive response was to tell her, “Nothing”, but I wasn’t comfortable with its seeming lack of sophistication. Of course, I thought about saying, “I would wait until the answer reveals itself”, but I just as quickly realized that despite its wise and “guru-ish” quality, it’s not quite what I would want to hear if I were the one who was in distress. So, what do YOU do when you don’t know what to do? For me, I gather data, LOTS of data. That’s what God made Google for! I talk with my choicest advisors to “brainstorm” all sorts of wild ideas. I get myself moving, usually by taking long walks in nature where I ramble on in self-talk and prayer, and very often, inspiration rises from the ruins of my worn-out psychological mind. And naps; sometimes naps are good. Actually, sometimes naps are VERY good! But when all is said and done, try to honor that life is a process, and if the process is loving and full of light, then the outcome will always be excellent.

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™!

Sometimes the best love is quiet love. Sitting on a mountaintop, really knowing that I am loved, is more profound than any “up close and personal” expression of love that I could ever receive. As odd as it sounds, I can often feel affirmations and prayers from those who are afar. And the power of love I feel when that “quiet love person”, the one who hovers, unseen, “stands up” powerfully in a time of need is mind-blowing! I’ve never been much for receiving or giving “gushy love”, but for those I love I affirm, I pray, I hover, and I strive to “stand up” when everyone else seems to be running away. I really believe that the best love is to love in such a way that others might feel the touch, but not notice the hand. For me, the best kind of love steps in during one’s darkest, lonely moments. This type of love can seem dispassionate, but it’s steady, seamless, and ever near. And make no mistake about it; in its stillness, quiet love is deeply passionate. For me, to “cherish” is better than to “gush”. I wonder what you think.

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 each day begins, remember, you are in someone’s head, and you are in someone’s heart. Isn’t that awesome! Someone, somewhere is thinking and feeling something about you. So, how do you think you’re “showing up” for those folks as they remember your last interaction with them? Is it with love and light and all good things, or not so much? 

I know, sometimes we leave a little trash upon the path of our lives, but it’s all right. We’re all human, so, “We get to mess up, we get to clean up, and we get to keep moving”. And remember, we all receive the graceful offer of a “redo” that comes with each new sunrise. So, consider this question as you start your journey this morning. 

Of those you meet today, how will you “show up” in their heads and hearts tomorrow? 

Please stop long enough to give that question a mindfully profound answer. Our legacy is simply the stacking up of our day-by-day decisions about how we want to show up tomorrow in the heads and hearts of those we touch today. May we all be creating Simply Encouraging® Legacies full of “Life, healing, and 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™!