Category Archives: Signal Fire
#345 Negative again
#344 Nothing Negative
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 on every day until February 14! What do you suppose my odds are? I’d say they’re not great.
#343 Gratitude and Generosity
#342 Miracles
#341 Gratitude for no reason
#339 My Life’s Purpose
In it she said that hers is a denomination that “strives to seek justice and share extravagant love with the most vulnerable among us.” I like that phrase, seek justice and share extravagant love. I think I’ll take it as my life’s mission statement. Seek justice and share extravagant love.
And now I know my life’s purpose to be this: to live up to my mission statement.
#338 Ways of Gratitude
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 read Nygaard Notes, I highly recommend it. Here’s what he says:
I’ve noticed a difference in how I resonate with gratitude depending on how I frame things. It’s hard to express, but I’ll try.
The more specific and/or personal I get, the less energizing it is.
It seems like the difference between “grateful to” and “grateful for”
Example:
“I’m grateful to Mark for donating to Nygaard Notes.” vs “I’m grateful for the generosity and solidarity that allows me to do my work.”
The first one is true, and I feel good about it. The second one makes me feel joyful and blessed to be part of a broad community. And it includes the gratitude I feel toward each individual.
I think the first one is more conditional, and depends on a specific action in order to be “true.” The second one rests on a long history and doesn’t change day to day. I’m ALWAYS grateful, and each specific act only reminds me that I am.
Another example:
“I’m grateful for the beautiful day today.” vs “I’m grateful to be alive to experience a day like today.”
Good days come and go, but my gratitude for being a part of the unfolding is always there. My gratitude practice serves to remind me that I can live in a state of gratitude no matter what any given day offers me. What a gift that is!
#337 Generous
Bear with me, as we take a trip inside my head.
“What in the world is wrong with these republicans?! They’re either working people with machine guns or they’re billionaires who use everything as a way to increase their hoard of wealth. Good grief!”
Recognizing that disturbers are always allies, I wonder what these particular allies might have for me today. It’s this: “Today I am generous in thought, word, and deed.”
Perhaps more accurately put—I want to be; I intend to be; I will learn to be; I choose to be. Generous in thought, word, and deed.
We’ll see.
#336 Hug a Tree
Trees have a strong communication system, though different from ours. As I see it, trees understand need. And if you’re clear about your needs, and if your intention to have your needs met is clear, when you mingle your roots the trees will communicate your needs far and wide. And who knows who else the trees communicate with?
Enjoy.