May 5, 2020
This issue of Signal Fire is written entirely by a reader. It’s something I’ve been wanting to express for a very long time. I just could never put it as clearly as this. But then, clarity of thought and word is Jeff Nygaard’s way. If you don’t already...
May 24, 2020
Someone shared a letter that Rev. Shari Prestemon, from the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, sent to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In it she said that hers is a denomination that “strives to seek justice and share extravagant love with the...
Sep 12, 2020
Gratitude For No Reason. When you get up from sitting, pause, take a breath, and feel gratitude—for no particular reason. When you sit down, pause, take a breath, and feel gratitude—for no particular reason. When you enter a room, pause, take a breath, and feel...
Sep 29, 2020
Love is power. Wait, let me rephrase that—UNCONDITIONAL love is power. Or say it this way—UNCONDITIONAL love creates the space where you can access your power. And let me tell you something else—that’s the space where miracles happen. Power accessed within the space...
Oct 29, 2020
Whatever happens in your life, never forsake gratitude! Do you brush your teeth? What do you do while you’re brushing? Think about the government? Compose your shopping list? Worry about your family? Try this—while you’re brushing your teeth, feel gratitude for them,...
Nov 12, 2020
I saw a sign on Facebook: “Try to say nothing negative about anybody for three days, for forty-five days, for three months. See what happens to your life.” I’m going to give it a try! I put it on my calendar: “say nothing negative about anyone.” I put it...
Nov 15, 2020
“No negative talking or thinking about anyone, including oneself.” I made it three days! 😂😂😂 Though I must say, this practice is filling me with gratitude. I’m grateful when I don’t go negative. And I’m grateful when I catch myself going negative—because...
Nov 25, 2020
Happiness never ever leaves us; it does not abandons us; it never withdraws. It is we who leave it. And it is we who can can return to it. Happiness remains, even when we’re not aware of it. There certainly are times when happiness is not really appropriate—when we’re...
Mar 12, 2021
You may remember that recently I said, “I’d like to master unconditional love. What will my practice look like? Gratitude will play a big role, of that I’m sure.” I thought, “I’ve got this! Gratitude’s groovy, easy. fun. No Problem!” Then...
Mar 19, 2021
Here’s one more thing about forgiveness — I don’t really believe in it. If you’ve been reading these notes for a very long time, you may remember a previous discussion of forgiveness in which I said that forgiveness is a religious concept, one that I’m not...