Category: Newsletter

weekly newsletter

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Finding Our Freedom

July 7th, 2024

As I sit to write this newsletter on July 4th, I’m having mixed feelings about what to celebrate. Certainly our country has fared better than many in its quest for democracy and equality in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, the current chaos in our beautiful country has me searching for deeper meanings of freedom. Most times, the freedoms we create and recognize in our personal lives, our loving communities, and in nature are what will nurture and sustain us through troubling times. We’ve read some remarkable essays and blogs over the last few days and will share some of their wisdom. Of course we also want to hear from you and how you define and find freedom in your lives. We’re scheduled to be on ZOOM this week and the link is below. Recovery from surgery has had its ups and downs, so we are reserving the choice to cancel should it not feel prudent to meet with you all on Sunday. Thanks for your understanding!
Holding Space, Colleen and Mark

Paths of Heart ZOOM
Time: Jul 7, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81323458338?pwd=WdrEj8xbd4Ehb2fjC5jJ2iErXTtCb5.1

Meeting ID: 813 2345 8338
Passcode: 478664

Quotes to ponder

“Your choices are your only freedom.”
~ Lailah Gifty Akita

“True freedom is always spiritual. It has something to do with your innermost being, which cannot be chained, handcuffed, or put into a jail.”
~ Osho

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”
~ Albert Camus

“Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.”
~ Jean-Paul Sartre

“I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.”
~ Robert A. Heinlein

“The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people….every day.”
~ David Foster Wallace

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

(dates subject to change)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.  with Community Potluck afterwards.

Sunday, July 28th – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, August 4th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, August 11th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, August 18th – In Person Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Community Potluck afterwards

Sunday, August 25th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

We are so grateful to Colleen’s entire surgery team for their excellent skill and care. Recovery is happening, slow and steady!
We are grateful for friends and family stepping in to do household and garden chores during this time. We are also OVERWHELMINGLY GRATEFUL to several folks who stepped up to make significant monetary contributions to Paths of Heart in our time of need! We are again solvent, though we will still need to explore more steady and permanent fixes to this ongoing challenge if we are to continue our passionate work in the coming years. Thank you all for whatever support you can give and have given in the past.

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Treasuring Community (and Happy Solstice)

June 23rd, 2024

Hi Everyone! We’ve missed you! We are back from our various travels (trying to get it all in before Colleen’s surgery!) and are excited to see you at this Sunday’s in-person gathering. Besides acknowledging Summer Solstice and the lessons we can glean from Nature’s seasonal rhythms, we wanted to talk about our Community, as we have found ourselves at yet another “crossroads” financially, since we explored our challenges two years ago with our participant survey. The “Pandemic Years” (or something else?) still seem to be affecting attendance and donation patterns. We continue to hear similar stories of challenges from other non-profits, so we know this isn’t unique to just Paths of Heart. Still…what is the solution? This Community is so important to us – yes, TREASURED – and yet, there frankly needs to be more support for it to continue. We’d love to hear your ideas, treasured friends! We’ve been gathering with you for over 10 years now and we’d love nothing more than to continue doing so!
Sunshine and flowers, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
~ Margaret J. Wheatley

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
~ Coretta Scott King

“The summer solstice is a time for strength and vitality for action and movement.”
~ Carole Carlton

“…This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight,
the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath, the door of a vanished house left ajar…”
~ Margaret Atwood

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much”
~ Helen Keller

“The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.”
~ Dean Ornish

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Sorry, no potluck this time!

Sunday, June 30th – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

We’ve had a fun couple of weeks, first down in the San Luis Valley of CO celebrating in community with Suzanne Rouge. Colleen took full advantage of the healing waters of the Joyful Journey Hot Springs and got healing touch sessions with Sue Walker! Then we were off to North Carolina, visiting childhood friends of both Colleen and Mark, seeing Myles on tour, and visiting with Colleen’s niece and family. We are so grateful for these friendships and opportunities!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Guided by Passion

June 2nd, 2024

A quote about passion in a friend’s newsletter spurred on this week’s topic! I’ve been feeling passionate about my life lately – spending time with dear friends and family, immersing myself in my favorite season of the year (even as I can’t “dig in” as I usually do because of hip issues), and looking forward to a resolution of those hip issues very soon so I can become even MORE passionate about returning to the activities I’m passionate about!! We believe following one’s passion(s) can be the most significant factor in a life well lived, full of enthusiasm, joy, and success on all levels. Please join us in conversation on ZOOM this Sunday. Here’s the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom Meeting
Time: Jun 2, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89971942298?pwd=Br6XJAbdLK3TGUX13t0fbroLo5pvUo.1

Meeting ID: 899 7194 2298
Passcode: 630355

Love and light, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Love what you do and do what you love. Passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance.”
~ David Cuschieri

“Always go with your passions. Never ask yourself if it’s realistic or not.”
~ Deepak Chopra

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
~ Maya Angelou

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
~ Albert Einstein

“Passion is so key in leading and creating excellence that I will hire passion over education and talent every time.”
~ Dave Ramsey

“Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.”
~ Jon Bon Jovi

“Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.”
~ Terri Guillemets

“Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.”
~ Isabelle Lafleche

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

What a fun week and a half we’ve had with Myles here in town, music sharing, a visit from Colleen’s friend, a trip to Estes, a trip to Boulder to hear Myles play with the Jacob Jolliff Band, and just generally enjoying life together! Life is GOOD!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Remembrance

May 26th, 2024

Here it is Memorial Day weekend, and for some folks it’s just a sweet 3 day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, and a good time to buy a new mattress. However, the real reason of this holiday is to honor all U.S. soldiers who have died serving their country – certainly a worthy commemoration. It also got us thinking about remembrance and honoring in general, of those that have passed before us and influenced us in significant and meaningful ways. We’ll talk about these remembrances this Sunday, followed by our monthly potluck (finally outside??). Please bring your own reusable plate if possible and some food to share.
Love and light, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
~ Unknown

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
~ Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
~ Arthur Ashe

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
~ Thomas Campbell

“There is no death, daughter. People die only when we forget them,’ my mother explained shortly before she left me. ‘If you can remember me, I will be with you always.”
~ Isabel Allende

“The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.”
~ Lucian Adams

“The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them.”
~ Czeslaw Milosz

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards. We’ll provide cloth napkins, cups, utensils, and a variety of beverages. 

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

We are grateful for our recent trip back to NJ to visit Colleen’s Dad, for Myles’ visit this week, and for a visit from Colleen’s friend, Robin from kindergarten – you’ll get to meet her this Sunday!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Honoring Mother Energy Everywhere

May 12th, 2024

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday – a time to honor our own Mothers, those who may have stepped in to offer mothering energy in our lives, the Great Earth Mother, the Divine Feminine, and the nurturing, supportive “mothering” energy within all of us! Pierce Pettis will be here as our guest musician, and please remember his concert here Friday, May 10th at 7 pm – there are still seats available and we hope you can join us! Details below in the “Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest” section.

Happy Mother’s Day! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Motherhood means being fearless, scared, overwhelmed, in control, creative, and selfless—sometimes all at once.”
~ Seva.org

“Whatever examples of great mothering we may or may not have had growing up, we each have the chance to embody that deep, loving, and supportive energy in ourselves right now.”
~ Garrett-Martin.com

“Mother’s Day is tricky. If you’re a mother or have a mother figure in your life, you know it’s nearly impossible to distill the full importance of motherhood down to one day. The most meaningful celebrations of motherhood are found in everyday moments: an impromptu phone call that lasts for hours, that first big hug after months spent apart. You can only hear ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ one day a year, but ‘Mom, I love you’ hits home every time.”
~ AJ Willingham

A police recruit was asked during the exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He answered, “Call for backup.”
~ unknown

“Motherhood takes many forms. This month we celebrate the spirit of mothering: the compassion and love shown by those who have cared for us and those we care for, from mothers and stepmothers to aunts, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, and friends.”
~ Patti Smith

“Mother energy is universal. It is the large expression of the sacred feminine that comes from spirit. It is embodied in all our biological mothers, but it’s not limited or confined to them.”
~ Elaine Seiler

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

We hope you can make it to this Friday’s house concert with the highly entertaining and talented Pierce Pettis! Friday, May 10th – Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Pierce. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $20.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ (with Pierce Pettis in the special instructions), or with venmo (type “Pierce Pettis” in “What’s it for?” memo line) https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Pierce on his website https://www.piercepettis.com/

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m., with Pierce Pettis as our guest musician!

Sunday, May 19th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Service opportunity!
The labyrinth was quite a mess after our recent windstorm! Colleen and Mark cleaned up the more dangerous bigger limbs, but if you want to do a meditative walk AND pick up little twigs strewn about the labyrinth on your peaceful journey, we would welcome your help!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for the opportunity to bring such talented artists to our concert space and to share their music with you! We are grateful for sunshine and flowers!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

The Merry, Merry Month of May!

May 5th, 2024

Well, there seems to be more celebrating to do. Cheery May Day with its dancing, singing, flower crowns, and Maypoles was yesterday, Saturday is World Labyrinth Day (come by and walk our Paths of Heart labyrinth if you’re in the area!), and in case you hadn’t heard, Saturday is also World Naked Gardening Day!! Who knew? (Now you do!). May 5th is Cinco de Mayo (and Miss Emma’s birthday!), another occasion for parades, parties, and piñatas. I promise I will get off this kick soon, but really, who doesn’t want to celebrate May? Nature is popping with color and the sun is shining! On May 7, the sun will set past 8 p.m! Sounds like JOY might be our topic – that’s what we’re feelin’! And here’s a quick reminder of the Pierce Pettis concert on Friday, May 10th, followed by his appearance at Paths of Heart on Mother’s Day (more celebrating!). Details below. Oh, almost forgot we’re on ZOOM this Sunday – here’s the link:

Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: May 5, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83986452168?pwd=ZmFSQ2hVYldOY202S2tuZkFwZXlNZz09
Meeting ID: 839 8645 2168
Passcode: 373884

Join in the Joy, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.”
~ Emily Brontë

“Sweet May hath come to love us. Flowers, trees, their blossoms don.”
~ Heinrich Heine

“Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can’t help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else.”
~ L. M. Montgomery

“May has come in, young May the beautiful, weaving the sweetest chaplet of the year. Along the eastern corridors, she walks. What time the clover rocks the earliest bee. Her feet are flush with sunrise, and her veil floating in breezy odors o’er her hair.”
~ Thomas Buchanan Read

“At last came the golden month of the wild folk– honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
~ Samuel Scoville Jr.

“As nature bursts into life this May, so should your creative and intellectual endeavors…your GENIUS!”
~ Dr. Tracey Bond

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

We have another upcoming house concert, this time with the highly entertaining and talented Pierce Pettis! Friday, May 10th – Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Pierce. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $20.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ (with Pierce Pettis in the special instructions), or with venmo (type “Pierce Pettis” in “What’s it for?” memo line) https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Pierce on his website https://www.piercepettis.com/

Sunday, May 5th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, May 10th – 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Pierce Pettis in concert! As he noted, what alliteration! See above for details and feel free to email or call us with other questions: info@pathsofheart.com or 970-484-9600.

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m., with Pierce Pettis as our guest musician!

Sunday, May 19th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

Sunday, July 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Service opportunity!
The labyrinth was quite a mess after our recent windstorm! Colleen and Mark cleaned up the more dangerous bigger limbs, but if you want to do a meditative walk AND pick up little twigs strewn about the labyrinth on your peaceful journey, we would welcome your help!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for Emma’s and others’ help in our yard and garden as it gets harder for Colleen to do the outside chores she normally loves this time of year! We’re grateful for sunshine and flowers!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Have You Heard of World Labyrinth Day?

April 28th, 2024

Funny how at our last gathering we talked about all the national days of celebration there are, every single day, and then last week we were reminded that May 4th is World Labyrinth Day! Of course we want to celebrate that! It happens the first Saturday in May and was founded by The Labyrinth Society (TLS) in 2009. We may decide to have an event on the actual day, but we thought this coming Sunday would be a sweet day to walk the labyrinth and talk about this wonderfully meditative practice. The weather forecast for this weekend does not look particularly good (for a labyrinth walk OR our scheduled potluck!), but that could change, and hey, this past weekend the crowd was dancing in the snowfall to Emma’s band, Three Shots, so we know we’re a hardy bunch in Colorado – ha! We will have the potluck indoors if need be. Please remember to bring your own washable table setting (plate and utensils). Seems we’ve kind of gotten out of the habit of that lately, however it sure helps us with clean up afterwards. We also aim for near zero waste, so no paper plates if you can help it, please. Thanks!

Cheers on your Path of Heart, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Walk or trace the labyrinth as if on pilgrimage, without a goal beyond the experience itself. Move consciously and slowly, allowing the Divine to guide and teach. Let the path teach its own lessons. There is no one correct message. The turning circuits of a labyrinth remind us that life is change and transformation.”
~ Richard Rohr

“I think of the labyrinth meditation as a journey of the heart. You walk a seemingly convoluted path that ends up at the middle, or the center of your heart, and then you want to be open to what it has to say to you. Hopefully, when you’re through, you’re perhaps a little bit more open to change, and a more peaceful, loving being.”
~ Phyllis Pilgrim

“We do not have to risk the adventure alone, for heroes have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god. And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.”
~ Joseph Campbell

“Pas a pas, se va luenh.
Step by step, we make our way.”
~ Kate Mosse

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

We have another upcoming house concert, this time with the highly entertaining and talented Pierce Pettis! Friday, May 10th – Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Pierce. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $20.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ (with Pierce Pettis in the special instructions), or with venmo (type “Pierce Pettis” in “What’s it for?” memo line) https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Pierce on his website https://www.piercepettis.com/

Sunday, April 28th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards. Please bring your own table setting (washable plate and utensils) as we aim for near zero waste and easier clean-up. Thanks!! We also plan to walk the labyrinth if the weather cooperates.

Sunday, May 5th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, May 10th – 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Pierce Pettis in concert! As he noted, what alliteration! See above for details and feel free to email or call us with other questions: info@pathsofheart.com or 970-484-9600.

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m., with Pierce Pettis as our guest musician!

Sunday, May 19th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Service opportunity!
The labyrinth was quite a mess after our recent windstorm! Colleen and Mark cleaned up the more dangerous bigger limbs, but if you want to do a meditative walk AND pick up little twigs strewn about the labyrinth on your peaceful journey, we would welcome your help!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for a fun weekend of music at FoCo MX. We encountered so many good natured folks who “rolled with it” when outside performances went on as planned, even as the snow was falling! Those bands, including Emma’s, had gumption!
We are also grateful to various workers still doing what needs to be done with our ongoing house repairs (add dead tree removal to the mix!)

What are you grateful for today?

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
~ Brene Brown

What I’ve learned is there’s a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s attached to gratitude, and that if you consciously take note of what is good in your life, quantifiable benefits happen.
~ Deborah Norville

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding…”
~ Philipp Moffitt

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
— Henry Miller

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Celebration Perhaps?

April 14th, 2024

As happens very occasionally, a topic for this Sunday did not readily come to mind. We looked up April 14th and these celebrations caught our eye: Good Deeds Day, National Gardening Day, National Pecan Day (one of Colleen’s favorite nuts…Mark Sloniker is her other favorite nut…), Reach as High as You Can Day, and World Quantum Day. There were plenty more. Who knew? So, we’ll be ruminating on these and will come up with something to say and discuss before Sunday! Dana Cooper will be our guest musician and remember he’ll be playing our House Concert THIS Saturday, April 13th. Details in the “Looking Ahead” section below. We hope you can come!

Celebrate whenever you get the chance, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by”
~ Alek Wek

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”
~ Henri Nouwen

“I believe it’s our responsibility to show our communities the value of all people, to celebrate different, and to take a stand for acceptance and inclusion.”
~ Julie Foudy

“Embrace your vulnerability and celebrate your flaws; it will let you appreciate the world around you and make you more compassionate.”
~ Masaba Gupta

“Life is strong and fragile. It’s a paradox… It’s both things, like quantum physics: It’s a particle and a wave at the same time. It all exists all together.”
~ Joan Jett

“True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer to others.”
~ Alek Wek

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Saturday night, April 13th, “Paths of Heart Presents…” Americana troubadour Dana Cooper from Nashville! Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Dana. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $25.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Dana Cooper in the special instructions, or with venmo https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Dana at https://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Sunday, April 14th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Dana Cooper as our guest musician!
Sunday, April 21st – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 28th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, May 5th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, May 10th – 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Pierce Pettis in concert! As he noted, what alliteration! Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Pierce. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $20.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Pierce Pettis in the special instructions, or with venmo https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart Learn more about Pierce at https://www.piercepettis.com/

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m., with Pierce Pettis as our guest musician!

Sunday, May 19th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Service opportunity!
The labyrinth was quite a mess after our recent windstorm! Colleen and Mark cleaned up the more dangerous bigger limbs, but if you want to do a meditative walk AND pick up little twigs strewn about the labyrinth on your peaceful journey, we would welcome your help!

Gratitudes

What glorious weather coming up this weekend. Spring has sprung and we are delighting in the daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips already in bloom!

What are you grateful for today?

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
~ Brene Brown

What I’ve learned is there’s a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s attached to gratitude, and that if you consciously take note of what is good in your life, quantifiable benefits happen.
~ Deborah Norville

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding…”
~ Philipp Moffitt

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
— Henry Miller

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

Lessons From an Eclipse

April 7th, 2024

There’s so much excitement surrounding the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8th. We were actually invited to go to Mazatlan, Mexico with friends for the big event, but declined because of the “astronomical” airfare! So we’ll experience it “partially” from Fort Collins and wish clear skies for all the travelers to numerous destinations in the path of totality! We relocated a beautiful and apropos Billy Collins poem, shared at Paths many years ago by our friend Peggy Short, to read to you. We’ll also share what solar eclipses can symbolize spiritually in our own lives, and maybe even play you a little Pink Floyd! We’re gathering on ZOOM this Sunday, so here’s the link and we hope you’ll join us:

Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: Apr 7, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82394170013?pwd=Mitld3doSmhoT1pGTnU3S0pScVd3QT09
Meeting ID: 823 9417 0013
Passcode: 133923

We also wanted to remind you about our upcoming “Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert with Dana Cooper on Saturday, April 13th. Details in the “Looking Ahead” section below. We hope you can come!

Happy and safe eclipse gazing to you, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“To me, the magic of the eclipse, the extraordinary events it all took in the heavenly bodies to cause this eclipse, should make us ponder the mystery of existence, of our own existence, of the existence of everything else, and how unified everything is.”
~ William Shatner

“Eclipses have significant astrological influence, often highlighting turning points in a person’s life and bringing about profound changes and opportunities for growth.”
~ Lauren Ash

“It’s time to release…Let go of whatever’s not working for us or aligned with ourselves and bring in every new beginning that comes from some other beginning’s end.”
~ Lisa Stardust

“The solar eclipse amplifies the new moon energy, marking it as a time of significant change, unexpected developments, and powerful revelations that can redirect our paths in life.”
~ Michelle Bell

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, April 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday night, April 13th, “Paths of Heart Presents…” Americana troubadour Dana Cooper from Nashville! Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Dana. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $25.00. Mark your calendars, RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Dana Cooper in the special instructions, or with venmo @pathsofheart. Learn all about Dana at https://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Sunday, April 14th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Dana Cooper as our guest musician!
Sunday, April 21st – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 28th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, May 5th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 19th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Sunday, June 2nd – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 9th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 16th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, June 23rd – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 30th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

Colleen is grateful for her first day of kayaking in 2024 this past Thursday. What a glorious day! Mark is grateful for apples (down to his core!).

What are you grateful for today?

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
~ Brene Brown

What I’ve learned is there’s a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s attached to gratitude, and that if you consciously take note of what is good in your life, quantifiable benefits happen.
~ Deborah Norville

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding…”
~ Philipp Moffitt

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
— Henry Miller

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl

Posted on

The Miracle of Spring’s Rebirth

Easter, March 31st, 2024

This Sunday we’ll focus on the themes that Eastertime evokes within us – its inner significance of rebirth and renewal, springtime, everyday miracles, new beginnings, and the JOY that these bring….
This is a powerful time to align with the increasing light, new life, and transformation that is happening all around us as Spring unfolds in all its glory! We’ll commune with an Easter potluck following our gathering (maybe outside?). Join us if you can!
Happy Easter! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Easter is the miracle of transformation as seen in the change of seasons, in the maturation of mortal persons, and in the resurrection of souls.”
~ Richelle Goodrich

“Humans! They lived in a world where the grass continued to be green and the sun rose every day and flowers regularly turned into fruit, and what impressed them? Weeping statues. And wine made out of water! A mere quantum-mechanistic tunnel effect, that’d happen anyway if you were prepared to wait zillions of years. As if the turning of sunlight into wine, by means of vines and grapes and time and enzymes, wasn’t a thousand times more impressive and happened all the time…”
~ Terry Pratchett

“Celebrate all expressions of joy however they manifest. Even if Easter has no meaning to you at all– just another day. Another day is the most beautiful of miracles. Celebrate every minute of it however you feel called to, and allow and rejoice in others however they feel called to celebrate theirs.”
~ Spiritsong

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
~ Ralph Hodgson

“Springtime inspires us to believe that, along with the earth, we too might change, release the past, and give birth to new ideas…. Even though it happens this way every year, we stand in awe, our insides trembling sweetly like the legs of a new foal as we too are reborn…”
~ Madisyn Taylor

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Easter Sunday, March 31st, 10:30 a.m. – in person POH gathering followed by our monthly potluck (outside, we hope!).

Sunday, April 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday night, April 13th, “Paths of Heart Presents…” Americana troubadour Dana Cooper from Nashville! Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Dana. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $25.00. Mark your calendars, RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Dana Cooper in the special instructions, or with venmo @pathsofheart. Learn all about Dana at https://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Sunday, April 14th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Dana Cooper as our guest musician!

Sunday, April 21st – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Guest Presenters and Musicians Wanted!  Now that we’re meeting on a more regular basis we’d love to get back to having other folks present a topic on some Sundays and having other musicians sit in as well. Please get in touch if you’re interested! A small honorarium is available.

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart continues to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and return to regular Sunday gatherings. During the pandemic, online donations became increasingly important to our organization, and are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/. There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thanks so much for supporting the continuation of Paths of Heart.  Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible!

Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!

“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned to be a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.

Gratitudes

Spring-like weather is well on its way! We’ve enjoyed working in the yard and gardens, raking away last fall’s leaves to reveal the rebirth of perennials and spring bulbs underneath. Planting is not far behind!

What are you grateful for today?

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
~ Brene Brown

What I’ve learned is there’s a scientifically proven phenomenon that’s attached to gratitude, and that if you consciously take note of what is good in your life, quantifiable benefits happen.
~ Deborah Norville

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Practicing mindfulness of gratitude consistently leads to a direct experience of being connected to life and the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding…”
~ Philipp Moffitt

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
— Henry Miller

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~ Ruth Reichl