July 13th 2025
The fireworks are (mostly!) over, the parties, BBQs, celebrations, and parades now in the rearview mirror, and still we continue to ponder this concept of “freedom” in our minds and hearts. There is no doubt that the universal access to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all in America is still very much out of reach for far too many. We see civil rights being ripped from millions of people, discrimination and bigotry on the rise, and lawlessness occurring on a seemingly daily basis. It’s all too easy to fall into the abyss of hopelessness and despair in times such as these. But doing that only allows those motivated by fear, exclusion, greed, and power to “win”. We can choose a different path – of hope, love, determination, persistence, and equality – to guide our lives and nudge the arc of the moral compass of this country (this Universe!) in a positive and higher direction. Bring your thoughts about what freedom means to you to the conversation this Sunday. We’ll meet in person and there’ll be a potluck lunch following our gathering.
Let Freedom Ring, Colleen and Mark
Quotes to ponder
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”
~ Viktor Frankl
“Hope right now is a bit irrational but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong choice. It is always the right choice because it is the only one that keeps us moving forward.”
~ John Pavlovitz
“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
“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
“True freedom is always spiritual. It has something to do with your innermost being, which cannot be chained, handcuffed, or put into jail.”
~ Osho
“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free…so other people would be also free.”
~ Rosa Parks
Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest
Sunday, July 13th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m. followed by a potluck. Remember to bring your own plates along with some food to share. We’ll provide utensils, napkins, cups, and a variety of beverages.
Sunday, July 27th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, August 3rd, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 16th – Mark your calendars! “Paths of Heart Presents…” Megan Bee in concert! We are excited for Megan to return to Paths of Heart for a heartwarming and inspirational night of music. This is Megan’s 4th (or is it 5th?) appearance at Paths of Heart – always a favorite. Concert at 7 with an optional 6 p.m. potluck. Suggested donation $20-25.
Sunday, August 17th, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Megan Bee as our guest musician.
Saturday, September 6th – “Paths of Heart Presents…” Matt Flinner (mandolin) and Ross Martin (guitar) in concert. More details coming, but these 2 instrumentalists will knock your socks off!
Sunday, September 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, September 14th, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with Shanna in a Dress as our guest musician!
Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart welcomes and appreciates your generous donations as we continue 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 as 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 the outpouring of love and good thoughts, your cards, emails, and phone calls following the news of Colleen’s Dad’s passing. It has meant so much to our family. Thank you.
“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.”
~ Nishan Panwar
“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.”
~ Anthony Robbins
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
~ Maya Angelou
“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.”
~ Ralph H. Blum
“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
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
