Simple Encouragement

Simple Encouragement® brings you Simply Encouraging® Expressions that stimulate and encourage your highest calling. Be real. Be encouraged!

CURRENT BLOG ARTICLES

  1. Feeding Thomas Waterhouse 28-Apr-2013
  2. F+ Thomas Waterhouse 25-Apr-2013
  3. Live Confidently! Thomas Waterhouse 21-Apr-2013
  4. Victories Are Waiting! Thomas Waterhouse 10-Apr-2013
  5. Quiet Roots Thomas Waterhouse 30-Mar-2013

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The personality behind this site is author, speaker, counselor, and photographer, Thomas Waterhouse.

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F+

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Lamenting his academic failings, I looked at him, and said, "Because ‘I’m @Encouraging’ (and a bit sarcastic), I would give you at least an F+ for your efforts." He immediately shot back, "Doesn't a ‘plus’ ruin the integrity of an ‘F’?" We both laughed, paused, and then staring at each other for a moment, I swear we were both thinking the same thought. "Inside of a person who thinks THAT quickly, THAT way lives an A+ student!" I decided to say it out loud, speaking “Life to potential,” and he appreciated the gift. Always remember, deep inside of our F+ struggles is an A+ something waiting to emerge. Seek it, find it, and when you do, give it a great big shout-out!

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™!

Striving

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

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.

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™!


Simple Encouragement 2013

Friday, December 28, 2012

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™!


Joy To The World!

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

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™!

Redo

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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 youSo, 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 todayMay 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™!


Busy Being Late

Saturday, September 15, 2012

It’s fun to see how different patterns emerge when people come together as a team. One group I work with consistently runs about twenty minutes late, no matter what! One might think that this is wasted time, but things are not always as they seem to be. As I've observed the interactions and mini-discussions that occur during these seemingly “wasted” times, I note incredible bonding and business being conducted that absolutely would not take place under any other conditions. As I put it, they're not being irresponsible, they're "busy being late"! There's a big difference between the two, and whether your culture consists of a relationship, a family, or a corporate team, sometimes what seems to be wrong is actually very right! Look deeper at the patterns that irritate you, and sometimes, you just might find a pearl.

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™!

And Now?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Many of our “stories” are unhealthy, having the same old beginning, the same old middle, and the same old end, leaving us with dull, murky pain. A healthy story, by nature, has the same old beginning, the same old middle, but if we give it a brand new end, we move towards healing and freedom! Find new endings to whatever painful stories you might have by asking, "And now?” and then rewrite the closing narrative to the tune of “empowering”. Finish victoriously! Here are some examples to consider. “And now… I’m letting go, finding wholeness, and anticipating the love of my life!” “And now… I’m picking myself up and doing whatever it takes to land the job of my dreams!” “And now... I’m making that lifestyle change that will give me the health and fitness I deserve!” “And now... I’m bringing that shameful habit into the light and choosing a new moral compass!” Folks, it’s never over until it’s over, and the way to keep moving is to give your painful life stories endings that are full of “Life, healing, and light™”. Remember, victory is yours because a “new ending” is always a new beginning. If you’re reading this and you’re stuck, then perhaps it’s your day to get back in the game. And 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™!

The Magic Will Come

Saturday, January 21, 2012

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.

A Way of Being

Saturday, November 19, 2011

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.

Hope In The Hope!

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

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.