The Spirit of Aloha

March 19th, 2023

Mark and I have just returned from a (twice canceled) trip to Hawai’i and are moved to share a more in-depth appreciation of the word “aloha” along with its origins and history. We’ll talk about “mahalo”, too! This Sunday’s gathering will be on ZOOM and here is the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: Mar 19, 2023 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86037707159?pwd=VVBXOVFFSDFETE1JczZMUXBINmVUUT09
Meeting ID: 860 3770 7159
Passcode: 088194

Until then, Aloha! ~ Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Aloha is the unconditional desire to promote the true good of other people in a friendly spirit out of a sense of kinship.”
~ Abraham Akaka

“Live your life while the sun is still shining. / Oi kau ka lau, e hana I ola honua.”
~ Hawaiian Proverb

“Even the sweetness of a freshly cut pineapple from Hawaii is a sermon.”
~ J.A. Medders

“The only good thing about leaving Hawaii is that you really appreciate it when you return.”
~ John Richard Stephens

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Paths of Heart is in the midst of a “sabbatical” from regular Sunday gatherings, though we have recently scheduled a “sprinkling” of gatherings as our financial resources improve. We miss you!! You can read more about our decision here: https://www.pathsofheart.org/2022/10/11/important-paths-of-heart-update/

As our financial situation improves, we hope to reintroduce regular Sunday gatherings, and in the meantime, we have planned several other events to keep our community engaged and thriving. See below and mark your calendars!

Sunday, March 19th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering. See link above.

Sunday, March 26th, 2-4 p.m. -Teresa Funke and Colleen Crosson will present a “Blessings from the Pandemic” House Concert in our gathering space at 117 Evans Dr., Fort Collins. As we mark the third anniversary of the start of this unique and challenging time in our lives, they’ll reflect through written word and song on what this experience has taught us about what truly matters – individually and collectively – as humans co-existing in this complex world.

As in the past, they’ll pair some of Teresa’s inspirational blog posts — this time written during the pandemic — with uplifting songs of Colleen’s choosing that complement those written selections. Suggested ticket price is $35 and includes a copy of one of Teresa’s books or Colleen’s CDs. Your choice!

Space is limited, so RSVPs are REQUIRED, and it’s highly suggest you pay in advance to secure your seats. You can send payment through Venmo at @Colleen-Crosson or PayPal at colleencrosson@gmail.com.

The concert will run 90 minutes and be followed by light snacks and conversation so you can reveal some of your blessings as well. If you were one of the many who took up baking during the pandemic, feel free to share your favorite snack with us! We hope you can make it!!

Easter Sunday, April 9th, 10:30 a.m. – We’ll have our traditional (in-person) gathering followed by an Easter potluck (hopefully outside!). We hope Judi Lucero can join us on flute that day, too!

Sunday, April 23rd, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, May 21st, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering

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

We’ve restarted our Paths of Heart Song Circles, usually the last Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 pm. Come join us for an informal gathering of singing together. Bring your life affirming song suggestions! $10 suggested donation. We will provide a variety of teas to drink. The following dates are scheduled. Please RSVP!
March 28th
April 25th
May 30th

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart will continue to welcome and appreciate your generous donations as we work to bolster our finances and get back to Sunday gatherings at some point in the future. 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 a way to easily 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. Unfortunately, it’s been covered with snow much of this winter. Hoping for some melting soon!

Gratitudes

What a wonderful time we had visiting Kauai and Molokai! We are so grateful to have experienced the unparalleled beauty of these 2 small islands. We’ve been drawn to Hawaii again and again!

What are you grateful for today?

“Live a life full of humility, gratitude, intellectual curiosity, and never stop learning.”
~ GZA

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
~ John F. Kennedy

“When I pray, I always thank Mother Nature for all the beauty in the world. It’s about having an attitude of gratitude.”
~ Miranda Kerr

“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.”
~ Maya Angelou

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