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!