The Art of Encouragement: A Simple Guide to Living Life from the Heart

Encouragement is love in action—valuing the unique gifts we all have to share with one another. This book is a resource to help you renew your springs of faith and discover the inner courage you have possessed all along.

The Art of Encouragement: A Simple Guide to Living Life from the Heart helps you take time to let Spirit encourage you, to meditate on the small miracles of life, to follow your heart instead of allowing the world to squeeze you into its mold. This browser-friendly book offers instant inspiration, enabling busy people to nurture creativity and self-confidence in themselves and others. The Art of Encouragement is full of inspirational quotes, thought-provoking insights, and simple suggestions for anyone who wants to live more deeply from the center of their being.

When the world and all its pressures take the heart out of us, we need to know that someone cares for and believes in us. And we need to do the same for others. Enthusiasm and courage, love and appreciation, practical acts of mercy and compassion — that's the way of encouragement. The art of encouragement is the art of creating community and celebrating friendship.

Key Word: Compassion
Key Concept: Divine perspective
Cosmic Question: Can I trust myself? Others? God?
- You have infinite abundance within you and so does everyone else.
- When we choose love over fear, we learn to trust ourselves and others, and enjoy life more.
Encouragement is the art of abundance shared and multiplied. It is a way of living that seeks to bless each person we meet. Encouragement looks at what we can be, believes for the best in each of us. Encouragement is love in action. It is taking time to praise those we love and to appreciate everyone we meet.

Candy Paull’s writing is the readable equivalent of Earl Grey tea, steeped in a pot, and served in your grandmother's china. That is: it warms you through and through.
Victoria Moran, bestselling author of Creating a Charmed Life

Excerpt:

Encouragement is…inspiring each other to embrace life with enthusiasm, courage, and love.

Encouragement is… a warm shoulder in a cold world.

Encouragement is… a cup of tea and a listening ear.

Encouragement is… being loved for who I am.

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
--Woodrow Wilson

Some simple ideas that make love visible and physical:
- Take time to share a nurturing meal.
- Write cards and letters.
- When you are thinking of someone, pick up the phone and call.
- Say it with flowers.
- Give little gifts that say "I'm thinking of you," even when there is no special occasion.
- Share back rubs, hugs, touching, cuddling.
- Smile.

I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
Albert Schweitzer

Encouragement is… seeing the unique beauty in another person.

Encouragement is… saying "I love you."

Encouragement is… a card sent for no special occasion, just because.

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love.
--Henry Drummond

The root of the word encouragement is the French word, “cor,” for heart. To encourage is to put the heart back into someone, to help each other live well and to live together in harmony. The Art of Encouragement shows how valuing our own unique gifts and nurturing relationships with friends, family, and community gives us all the confidence to live life with vitality, grace, and joy.

The Art of Encouragement offers simple ways to put the heart back into life by believing in ourselves, creating a nurturing community, sharing our gifts and talents, and celebrating the sacredness of all life.

It is my prayer that this little book will enable you to say yes to the deepest promptings of your heart and create a life that nurtures your soul.
--Candy Paull