Sunday, April 26th
Isolation Blues?
Weekend greetings to you all ~ We’ve been hearing and seeing lots of comments here and there about how the isolation is getting to folks. How ’bout you? And what (if anything) are you doing about it? Even though the “stay at home order” in Colorado is being lifted on Monday, the general consensus is that we’re still “safer at home”, so that feeling of isolation may linger for a while longer. It’s tough for those of us that thrive on human touch to refrain from hugging friends and family, or to be intimate with those we’re in relationship with, but don’t live with. Allow yourself to grieve these things; perhaps journal or meditate on it. Immerse yourself in nature if you can. We felt so much better this week after taking a “socially-distanced” hike with some friends, and we’ve been out in the kayaks a time or two. It was exhilerating! Above all, keep being kind to yourself and others. This, too, shall pass, but the love remains.
You’re in our hearts,
Colleen and Mark
Quotes to ponder
“Sometimes all it takes to brighten up someone’s day is a smile or kind word, or the generous actions of a complete stranger. Small things, the tiny details, these are the things that matter in life…” ~ Shaun Hick
“It might behoove us to realize that isolation is the absence of all the senseless clutter, and all the incessant racket that would keep God from having ample room to show up and sufficient silence to be heard. Therefore, isolation may actually be the place where we are least isolated.” ~ Craig Lounsbrough
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” ~ Maya Angelou
Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest
As we look longingly toward a time when we can be together again, we are content with our recent decision not to pursue Paths of Heart Zoom meetings. Thank you for all the notes we’ve gotten affirming to “let that one go!” As one Paths attendee stated (while encouraging us to be kind to ourselves), “Right now, we’re inundated with more online connections and resources than I can manage, and that’s probably true for many other people at Paths.” She had a great suggestion as an alternative ~ anyone who’s been inspired by something they’ve seen on the internet could send us links and we’ll include them in subsequent newsletters. Here’s a video she sent that might remind you of Paths of Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIm23dJ5Jz8&list=RD-Kf-9kx_oSg&index=7
Gratitudes
We are truly grateful for all the support we’ve had in the past several weeks in donations through the mail and on Paypal, even from folks who have never attended Paths of Heart in person. Wow!! It warms our heart that our gatherings and even just our newsletters are an important part of your week and that they bring you inspiration and solace during these days of isolation. Thank you!
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” ~ Anonymous
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible.” ~ Anonymous
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!