The Encouragement Manifesto
When we ran a small business, there were values at its heart
It was owner-run; just the two of us. So the way we worked, who we were, was never written down as such. It was in our hearts. We are pretty sure it was clear to our customers who we were and what was important to us. We worked hard to be consistent, to celebrate others and to stay positive and optimistic. Our business was built on the successes and strengths of others; kindness and generosity were keystones. We only talked about value, not price; slowly, gently, we built a community. We gathered up and shared inspiring stories and we sought to be a pebble in the pond, creating ripples.
These values are now at the heart of The Encouragement Manifesto
We asked some folk we trust, who live and work in the way we do, to interpret the values in their own words
Milestone Reached
Childhood memories of a milestone reached at a tender age
Fenland Musings
Will Johnson is on a journey of personal development. It is a journey that is actively seeking inspiration and new ways of being; an inquiry into a better, gentler way of life
The Power of the Pen
Sometimes, you discover words that you wish you’d written. Megan’s words about ‘words’ stir this emotion precisely. That Megan is 11 years of age is just remarkable
Walk This Way
Hayley Maguire’s passion for walking is infectious; transformational benefits abound with the consistent habit of getting outside and walking. Just walk this way
Kindness Lives in Water
A beautiful poem by Kate O’Loughnan which explores kindness and the lifelong currents of it; the flow of giving and the necessary ebb of receiving
57 Books: The List
So, a reading challenge, 57 books for Mr Fables’ 57th year. This is ‘The List’, a journey through a reading year. Titles will be added as the story unfolds. One to Fifty Seven
57 Books
Setting a goal - and talking about it - becomes a public encouragement to take on and complete the challenge. In this case, it is an undertaking to read more, and in doing so, to write more. So, 57 books for Mr Fables’ 57th year. A reading challenge
The Encouragement Sessions
The Encouragement Sessions have been our opportunity to offer energy, positivity, and ideas to folk who needed a boost to their business, their side-project or their day to day life. So, what are they all about?
A Love Letter to Melancholy
Inspired and inspiring writing from Joel Duntin, who generously mines the dark places to make a compelling case for the underlying optimism and hope to be found in embracing melancholy
The Gift of Generosity
The spirit of The Encouragement Manifesto is woven, inexorably, into the idea of ‘generosity’; giving with no expectation of anything in return. Briony Phillips encourages us all to find ways to celebrate the folk who show us what generosity means.
En-courage-ment
The path to creativity is often paved with self-doubt. Leah Parkyn is on a journey to unlock her creative soul and to weave it into her life, a difficult journey she shares openly and movingly
The Ripple Effect
The trouble with quietly creating something and gently allowing it to slide into view could be that some of the folk you hope to encourage don’t spot what you are up to. We’ve been pondering how to talk about The Encouragement Manifesto a little more, without losing the humbleness of its intention
Givers Get Lucky
Reflections on the spirit of generosity that underpins The Encouragement Manifesto and the writers who offer way more than is expected when we nervously ask them to contribute
Ready to Learn
As a foster dad to 3 incredible youngsters, Gareth Thomas has been hit hard by the global pandemic and the resultant lockdown. Finding ways to shape a healthy context within which they could survive, then thrive, has been a tough road to travel; a journey of realisation and learning
It’s Something About Sharing
Late-emerged writer Tanya Shadrick and her university-aged mentee, Izzy Dignum, on making creative communities that connect across place and age
Just ‘be’
Whilst the global pandemic has been a time of isolation, uncertainty and difficulties, Sara Catterall has found the strength to refocus on self-improvement through acceptance; by ‘just being’
Where is your Happy Dance?
When did we lose the unbridled curiosity and joy of childhood? Sue Heatherington encourages us all to rediscover that freedom of thought and action
Fitting Out as Fitting In
We love the way Siobhan Sheridan draws on her own experience to commit to celebrating those whose differences make them unique and valuable to our new world of work
The Other Way
Mich Bondesio used her own hard-won experience to learn that ‘outlook’ is a choice; one which should be guided by positive energies
Softer Versions of Change
After a career focused on transformative change at the organisational level, Steve Marshall makes the case for inspiring others by slowing down and seeing the smaller details of life