March On! (Moving Forward)

March 1st, 2026

March always feels like such a “hopeful” month – green shoots start appearing through the dry, brown detritus, the days start warming (though have we really had winter here in Fort Collins??), we usually get a few really wet snowstorms (sorely needed!), and it’s my (Colleen’s) birthday month – ha! The word “march” comes from the Old French marchier, “to tread, to move.” I always loved the phrase from our past Science of Mind days – “treat and move your feet”. The premise is that prayer (treatment), spiritual intention, or affirmations must be paired with tangible, physical action to achieve results. Faith is not passive; one must take active, practical steps toward their aspirations. Whatever your goals or intentions, March is the month for some action! This Sunday is a “Zoom Sunday” and here’s the link:

Time: Mar 1, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82001426523?pwd=4c4vSjE1aHdRkOWpbUBCA8qcgezpL7.1

Meeting ID: 820 0142 6523
Passcode: 682198

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/82001426523/invitations?signature=w_TqZGDSW8TIyCKt4Je0ra-y0TyGVTAbHIwDGXDjgZ8

Movin’ and Groovin’, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“In March, winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.”
~ Jean Hersey

“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
~ Langston Hughes

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.”
~ Emily Dickinson

“March, when days are getting long, Let thy growing hours be strong to set right some wintry wrong.”
~ Caroline May

“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.”
~ Bo Bennett

“Hope begins in the dark. The stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.”
~ Anne Lamott

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
~ Sam Levenson

“Tomorrow becomes never. No matter how small the task, take the first step now!”
~ Tim Ferriss

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Easter Sunday, April 5th, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering (NOTE: we may switch this up to an in-person if there is enough interest, since we do love our Easter gatherings here!).

Sunday, April 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering with potluck following (NOTE: this may change to a ZOOM gathering if we do decide to have Easter in person).

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart welcomes and appreciates your generous donations in support of our gatherings and other events. Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible. Many folks find online donations very convenient and these 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. Thank you ever so!

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

Well, weren’t we blessed to indeed have our last Sunday potluck outside in the middle of February! A bit crazy, though, we must admit…

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ 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

02/13/202602/13/2026

I Choose Love

February 15th, 2026

For those who celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day weekend to you! We’re not big on the commercialization of it all, but it does give us a chance to reflect on how we’re doing with “being love” in this often confusing and chaotic human world. We can choose love in each and every moment. LOVE is naturally our theme for this Sunday, as we meet in person and share in a lovely potluck afterwards. Heck, with our continued spring-like temps, we may even be able to dine outside (predicted high of 62)! Emma Sloniker will join us in song – always a treat!

Big love, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Love is the solution. Everyone has a want and need to love and be loved, and children who love themselves will not want to harm themselves or others. Choosing love…”
~ Scarlett Lewis

“If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.”
~ Nelson Mandela

“We are here to heal, not harm. We are here to love, not hate. We are here to create, not destroy.”
~ Anthony D. Williams

“We can become the medicine that stops violence at its root. We can do this by putting love into practice.”
~ Valarie Kaur

“Remember, we are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a supreme creative act.”
~ Ram Dass

Your task is not to search for love, but to find a portal through which love can enter.
~ E.T.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, February 15th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering. Potluck afterwards. Emma Sloniker joins in the music.

Sunday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 5th, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering with potluck following

Speaking of donations, we are working on getting all of our generous donors their 2025 Giving Statements/Tax Donation Receipts! In an effort to streamline the process and preserve our resources, we will be e-mailing all statements this year. Please let us know if you need a printed statement and we’ll be happy to get you one. We thank you so very much for your generous contributions which kept Paths of Heart solvent and thriving for another year!

Gratitudes

We have been taking mini-trips to Denver for music fun and staying overnight for an added treat. Grateful to have a bit of respite, take in some awesome concerts, and visit friends in the process. Feels like a real vacation just an hour from home!

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

01/30/202601/30/2026

64 Ways in 64 Days

February 1st, 2026

This Sunday we’ll be talking about the Season for Non-Violence, marking the 64 calendar days between the memorial anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas Gandhi on January 30 and that of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4. Established in 1998 by Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, this yearly, global grassroots campaign raises awareness about the transformative power of nonviolence. It brings individuals and communities together, empowering them to envision and help create a culture of peace and nonviolence, one choice at a time, one action at a time, and one day at a time. We are on ZOOM this Sunday and here’s the link:

Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: Feb 1, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83166289729?pwd=6cKTCh4wzEEp71MBJno3foMHYTvhgt.1

Meeting ID: 831 6628 9729
Passcode: 567047

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83166289729/invitations?signature=2mLAInkc_f1A0BxSTnj9QZz6DuqBnOzdBM0wwvl8bwY

Find a way, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the one who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Praise yourself as much as you can…The love in our lives begins with us…Loving yourself will help heal this planet.”
~ Louise Hay

“Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh

“If we are to teach real peace in this world…we shall have to begin with the children.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”
~ John F. Kennedy

“Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than be fair: be kind.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.”
~ William Arthur Ward

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, February 1st, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering. To learn more about The Season for Non-Violence, please visit https://gandhiinstitute.org/season-for-nonviolence/

Sunday, February 15th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering. Potluck afterwards.

Sunday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Gratitudes

We are most grateful for a recent chance to explore the magical area of Sedona, AZ. What beauty and peaceful energy we encountered, roaming the many trails along the red rock buttes and canyons. Visiting friends and experiencing many culinary delights also enhanced our trip!

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

01/17/202601/17/2026

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, January 18th, 2026

We are pleased to be joined by a host of local musicians to celebrate Martin Luther King in song this Sunday! Liz Barnez, Marty Rein, Krisann Meyer-Corcoran, and Emma Sloniker will lend their talents to our band as we remember King’s life, achievements, and legacy. Known for inspiring a generation to peaceful action in the fight for civil rights, we are called now, more than ever, to embrace the values of justice and freedom that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. espoused in his life.
In remembrance and honor to MLK, Colleen and Mark

*note* We will not have a potluck this Sunday so we can leisurely visit with our guest musicians after our gathering.

Quotes to ponder

Here are some of our favorite MLK, Jr. quotes:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

The time is always right to do what is right.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering. A special MLK, Jr. Celebration of Music with Liz Barnez, Marty Rein, Krisann Meyer-Corcoran, and Emma Sloniker joining us! No potluck this Sunday.

Sunday, February 1st, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 15th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering. Potluck afterwards.

Sunday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Gratitudes

We are grateful for our community of patriotic protectors of democracy who are making their voices heard to create a more kind, loving, and just world.

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

01/02/202601/02/2026

New Year Rituals

January 4th, 2026

Many of us celebrate the New Year with ritual – whether it be a Burning Bowl Ceremony, choosing a “Word for the Year”, setting intentions, or even writing down more traditional “New Year’s Resolutions.” It’s a way of making a fresh start, a contemplative time full of hope and bright wishes for the year to come. What are your rituals and traditions as we start this new year? We’re on ZOOM this Sunday, and here’s the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom
Time: Jan 4, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83895136011?pwd=iT9lSORRh9UgbUMI5aIQlBEo1Ux9UQ.1
Meeting ID: 838 9513 6011
Passcode: 875180
And may the Fourth be with you! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.”
~ Josiyah Martin

“To live in the light of a new day and an unimaginable and unpredictable future, you must become fully present to a deeper truth – not a truth from your head, but a truth from your heart; not a truth from your ego, but a truth from the highest source.”
~ Debbie Ford

“It’s important to have a vision of the long run and make wise decisions for our highest good in the present moment; however, we don’t want to become attached to how everything must look. When we show up in good faith, life provides. And when we trust, we are always in the flow of manifestation.”
~ Alaric Hutchinson

“A new year. A fresh, clean start! It’s like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on!”
~ Bill Watterson

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”
~ Nido Qubein

“Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering. A special MLK, Jr. Celebration of Music with Liz Barnez, Marty Rein, Krisann Meyer-Corcoran, and Emma Sloniker joining us!

Sunday, February 1st, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 15th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 1st, 10:30 a.m – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Gratitudes

What a beautiful, restful, family holiday time we had! Thanks again for your understanding as we “took the night off” on Christmas Eve! Mark and I had a wonderful dinner out on the town and then came home to a peaceful night enjoying all the twinkly lights around the house and starting a new puzzle! Then we enjoyed 2 days of celebration and feasting with Emma and Ethan, and so much rejuvenating down time the rest of the week! Happy New Year Everyone!

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

12/18/202512/18/2025

A Solstice Celebration!

December 21st, 2025

This Sunday we celebrate the Winter Solstice, that mystical, magical event marking the shortest day and the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, the beginning of Winter, and the start of the Sun’s “waxing journey through the sky, offering hope for the coming months where light will once again reign” (Monika Carliss). We celebrate rebirth with the increasing light which provides warmth and sustenance to the Earth and thus to our bodies and spirits. We will rejoice with music and poetry ~ a seasonal, holiday concert for our community! Please join us!
Be the Light, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The rebirth of the sun at winter solstice signifies renewal for the earth as she embarks on another cycle of life. And, because we are children of the earth, we can take part in this sacred cycle, feeling the renewal of our own life.”
~ Scott Awbrey

“The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly masterfully extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected glory.”
~ Gary Zukav

“Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. ?I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”?
~ Sarah Williams

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
~ Edith Sitwell

“Winter Solstice is my favorite time of year. It’s the dark of the dark, the interior time, a time when we can palpably feel magic stirring, ever so softly, but oh so deeply. It’s a time when we get to hold ourselves gently as we review and let go of the last trip around the sun, and open to what awaits in the coming light.”
~ Alison Marks

“Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.”
~ Desiderius Erasmus

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, December 21st, 10:30 a.m. – in lieu of our Christmas Eve concert, we’ll be doing a whole hour of holiday music for you during our regular Paths of Heart Gathering time! However you celebrate this time of year, may you have a Peaceful Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Blessed Kwanzaa!

Sunday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 1st, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 15th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Hopefully, you’ve read this notice in the last few newsletters – we’ve decided to take Christmas Eve off (for the first time in 20 or 30 years?!) and therefore will not be doing our annual Christmas Eve Concert this year. We know this has been an annual tradition for many of you as well, and we thank you for your support and understanding in our decision. We intend to resume it next year! We hope you’ll decide to join us for our MORNING Solstice concert on 12/21 instead!

Giving Opportunities
During this season of giving, with #GivingTuesday just passed and #ColoradoGivesDay next week, we hope you’ll consider Paths of Heart in your end of year giving plans! Paths of Heart welcomes and appreciates your generous donations in support of our gatherings and other events! Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible. Many folks find online donations very convenient and these 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.

Gratitudes

We took a short trip to see friends in St. Paul for a long weekend and had a fun and relaxing time! Even though the weather was bitter cold, the warmth of friendships, music, good food, and much laughter kept us warm!

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

12/06/202512/06/2025

Jingle All the Way!

December 7th, 2025

We are in the “Season of Joy and Peace”, yet how often during this time do we become frazzled, stressed, or grumpy? How can we stay immersed in the magic and beauty of this time, remain calm amid the chaos, and be of service to ourselves and others? This will be the topic of our discussion on Zoom this Sunday.
Paths of Heart Zoom Meeting
Time: Dec 7, 2025 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85615718132?pwd=anwUbP7vHDwwlm7OYIwsbvqlu9XywC.1

Meeting ID: 856 1571 8132
Passcode: 788440

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85615718132/invitations?signature=oainNCX4wfqRLLW1Iisi5vUk4HtIK2OkzYtSumCevao

Breathe… Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“I believe that joy is at the core of my being. I know the joy I seek is already within me. I commit to it with a lightness and ease that evaporates all barriers. I will create joyful moments with every heartbeat.”
~ Adrienne Enn

Close the door to the external chaos, begin self
reflection to rejuvenate your mind and soul.”
~ Vinita Singh

“Think about every good thing in your life right now. Free yourself of worrying. Let go of the anxiety, breathe. Stay positive, all is well.”
~ Germany Kent

“Life is a juggling act, and balance is the magician’s wand that keeps all the chaos up in the air with style.”
~ Don Santo

“Once you touch that place of inner peace within you, magic begins on the outside.”
~ Hiral Nagda

“Follow what brings you joy, that is where the magic is, and there is where you come alive. What have you longed to do and be? Decide that now is the time to gift the world with your magnificence. There is no turning back. You are a forward moving beam of light- a star.”
~ Ulonda Faye

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, December 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, December 21st, 10:30 a.m. – in lieu of our Christmas Eve concert, we’ll be doing a whole hour of holiday music for you during our regular Paths of Heart Gathering time! Peaceful Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas!

Sunday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Gratitudes

What an amazing week we had with Myles and Rafael visiting from NY for Thanksgiving! We had a full house for our family Gratitude Concert and had wonderful meals and walks with the whole family. We are blessed! We’ll get one more night with Myles before he returns to NYC when he plays with The Jacob Jolliff Band in Boulder this coming Monday night.

What are you grateful for today?

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

11/26/202511/26/2025

Giving Thanks

November 30th, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We trust you are enjoying the start of the “Holiday Season” and are able to surround yourselves with loving friends and family this Thanksgiving. We’ll of course be talking about gratitude this Sunday and are thankful to have Myles Sloniker and Rafael Chamon joining us for some stellar music sharing! We hope many of you will be able to join us this Saturday night, too, for our Gratitude Concert. Details below. We’ll have a potluck lunch following our Sunday gathering.

With gratitude and love, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

“You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.”
~ Kahill Gibran

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Saturday, November 29th, 7 pm ~ Myles Sloniker and his friend Rafael, a Brazilian guitarist, arrived last night and we’re excited to be presenting a Gratitude Concert here at Paths of Heart, along with the rest of the family this coming Saturday! $30 suggested donation (we’ll be a 5 piece band!). There are about 10 seats left, so please RSVP, and if you’d like to pay in advance to secure your spot, you may do so on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ or on Venmo @PathsofHeart. Please note “Gratitude Concert” in the memo lines. We hope you’ll celebrate this “Season of Thanksgiving” with us!

November 30th, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, with special music guests Myles Sloniker and Rafael Chamone. We’ll have a Gratitude potluck afterwards.

Sunday, December 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, December 21st, 10:30 a.m. – in lieu of our Christmas Eve concert, we’ll be doing a whole hour of holiday music for you during our regular Paths of Heart Gathering time! Emma Sloniker will join us in song. Happy Winter Solstice!

Sunday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! We wanted to give you plenty of notice to let you know that, especially since Myles won’t be with us for Christmas this year, we’ve decided to take Christmas Eve off (for the first time in 20 or 30 years?!) and therefore will not be doing our annual Christmas Eve Concert this year. We know this has been an annual tradition for many of you as well, and we thank you for your support and understanding in our decision. We most likely will be back at it next year! We hope you’ll decide to join us for our Gratitude Concert on 11/29 and/or our MORNING Solstice concert on 12/21 instead!

Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart welcomes and appreciates your generous donations in support of our gatherings and other events! Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible. Many folks find online donations very convenient and these 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.

Gratitudes

We are so grateful to be together as a family this week and to celebrate with music, not only at our concert but at a couple of Jacob Jolliff Band performances in December, too (one of the bands Myles tours with).

What are you grateful for today?

“When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.”
~ Mandy Hale

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love—then make that day count!”
~ Steve Maraboli

“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

About Paths of Heart…

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

11/14/202511/14/2025

Surveying the Landscape

November 16th, 2025

As what’s going on in our lives frequently “informs” our topic or theme for our gatherings, landscaping is on the brain! A long awaited project has begun and I began to think of metaphors where a “change in the landscape” can be both an external and an internal concept in our life’s journey. That’s what we’ll explore this Sunday on ZOOM. Here’s the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom
Time: Nov 16, 2025 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83219375754?pwd=Qm0LhTm0emaGpCaaz8mfJuaclGnDLA.1

Meeting ID: 832 1937 5754
Passcode: 121249

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83219375754/invitations?signature=KyWM1hp15eVNywgTYMdZWVpsFswHQhBhyR7jjv9qs_w

Take it all in, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
~ Leo Tolstoy

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
~ Joseph Campbell

“To acquire knowledge, one must study;
but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
~ Marilyn vos Savant

“There are many, many, many worlds branching out at each moment you become aware of your environment and then make a choice.”
~ Kevin Michel

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
~ Rumi

“Mastering emotions starts with observation,” their master used to say.”
~ Misba

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
~ Albert Einstein

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, November 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering.

Saturday, November 29th, 7 pm ~ Mark your calendars! Myles Sloniker will be in town with his friend Rafael, a Brazilian guitarist, and we will be presenting a Gratitude Concert here at Paths of Heart, along with the rest of the family! $30 suggested donation (we’ll be a 5 piece band!). Please RSVP, and if you’d like to pay in advance you may do so on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ or on Venmo @PathsofHeart. Please note “Gratitude Concert” in the memo lines. We hope you’ll celebrate this “Season of Thanksgiving” with us!

Sunday, November 30th, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, with special music guests Myles Sloniker and Rafael Chamone. We’re also planning on having a potluck afterwards.

Sunday, December 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, December 21st, 10:30 a.m. – in lieu of our Christmas Eve concert, we’ll be doing a whole hour of holiday music for you during our regular Paths of Heart Gathering time! Happy Winter Solstice!

Sunday, January 4th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, January 18th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering

Gratitudes

We are especially grateful that part of our landscaping project includes a REAL irrigation system! I can’t wait to experience the freedom of not having to hand water so much when growing season comes around again. And we thank Colleen’s Dad for making this project possible!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou

About Paths of Heart…

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

10/30/202510/30/2025

Celebrating Dia de los Muertos

November 2nd, 2025

I think it’s been a couple of years since we’ve celebrated Dia de los Muertos together. We’re so pleased that Judi Lucero (and other family members!) will be joining us this Sunday, as she was the initial impetus in building our first altar so many years ago. She will share her thoughts on this joyous occasion and also join us in music. You are invited to bring photos and/or mementos of your loved ones that have passed into the “other world”, including beloved pets.
*NOTE* Early Sunday morning is the end of Daylight Saving Time! Remember to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
In gratitude and love for those who have gone before us, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

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

“God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled.”
~ Author unknown

“The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.”
~ Seneca

“Death is beautiful when seen to be a law, and not an accident. It is as common as life… Every blade in the field, every leaf in the forest, lays down its life in its season, as beautifully as it was taken up.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

“For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.”
~Kahlil Gibran

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, November 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, with special guest, Judi Lucero, celebrating Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Bring mementos of your loved ones (including pets) to add to our altar during our Gathering.

Sunday, November 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart Gathering.

Sunday, November 30th, 10:30 a.m. – in person Paths of Heart Gathering, with special music guests Myles Sloniker (bass) and Rafael Chamone (guitar) joining us! We will most likely have a potluck after our gathering.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! We wanted to give you plenty of notice to let you know that, especially since Myles won’t be with us for Christmas this year, we’ve decided to take Christmas Eve off (for the first time in 20 or 30 years?!) and therefore will not be doing our annual Christmas Eve Concert this year. We know this will be a great disappointment for some, but we most likely will be back at it next year. Thank you for your support and understanding in this decision. We hope you’ll decide to join us for our Gratitude Concert instead – consider it your festive start to the holiday season!

Gratitudes

We are blessed to have spent a week in Santa Fe recently, and are grateful to our friends Michael and Allen for letting us stay in their beautiful home while they were away!

“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou