Category: Newsletter

weekly newsletter

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Celebration Perhaps?

April 14th, 2024

As happens very occasionally, a topic for this Sunday did not readily come to mind. We looked up April 14th and these celebrations caught our eye: Good Deeds Day, National Gardening Day, National Pecan Day (one of Colleen’s favorite nuts…Mark Sloniker is her other favorite nut…), Reach as High as You Can Day, and World Quantum Day. There were plenty more. Who knew? So, we’ll be ruminating on these and will come up with something to say and discuss before Sunday! Dana Cooper will be our guest musician and remember he’ll be playing our House Concert THIS Saturday, April 13th. Details in the “Looking Ahead” section below. We hope you can come!

Celebrate whenever you get the chance, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by”
~ Alek Wek

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”
~ Henri Nouwen

“I believe it’s our responsibility to show our communities the value of all people, to celebrate different, and to take a stand for acceptance and inclusion.”
~ Julie Foudy

“Embrace your vulnerability and celebrate your flaws; it will let you appreciate the world around you and make you more compassionate.”
~ Masaba Gupta

“Life is strong and fragile. It’s a paradox… It’s both things, like quantum physics: It’s a particle and a wave at the same time. It all exists all together.”
~ Joan Jett

“True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer to others.”
~ Alek Wek

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

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. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Dana Cooper in the special instructions, or with venmo https://account.venmo.com/u/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.

Friday, May 10th – 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Pierce Pettis in concert! As he noted, what alliteration! Doors at 6:30, concert starts at 7 pm. Finger foods and drinks at intermission while you chat with Pierce. Bring something to share if you can. Suggested donation $20.00. Please RSVP, or best yet, pre-pay with paypal https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ with Pierce Pettis in the special instructions, or with venmo https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart Learn more about Pierce at https://www.piercepettis.com/

Sunday, May 12th – Mother’s Day, In person Gathering, 10:30 a.m., with Pierce Pettis as our guest musician!

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.

Service opportunity!
The labyrinth was quite a mess after our recent windstorm! Colleen and Mark cleaned up the more dangerous bigger limbs, but if you want to do a meditative walk AND pick up little twigs strewn about the labyrinth on your peaceful journey, we would welcome your help!

Gratitudes

What glorious weather coming up this weekend. Spring has sprung and we are delighting in the daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips already in bloom!

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!

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

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Lessons From an Eclipse

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!

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

Posted on

The Miracle of Spring’s Rebirth

Easter, March 31st, 2024

This Sunday we’ll focus on the themes that Eastertime evokes within us – its inner significance of rebirth and renewal, springtime, everyday miracles, new beginnings, and the JOY that these bring….
This is a powerful time to align with the increasing light, new life, and transformation that is happening all around us as Spring unfolds in all its glory! We’ll commune with an Easter potluck following our gathering (maybe outside?). Join us if you can!
Happy Easter! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Easter is the miracle of transformation as seen in the change of seasons, in the maturation of mortal persons, and in the resurrection of souls.”
~ Richelle Goodrich

“Humans! They lived in a world where the grass continued to be green and the sun rose every day and flowers regularly turned into fruit, and what impressed them? Weeping statues. And wine made out of water! A mere quantum-mechanistic tunnel effect, that’d happen anyway if you were prepared to wait zillions of years. As if the turning of sunlight into wine, by means of vines and grapes and time and enzymes, wasn’t a thousand times more impressive and happened all the time…”
~ Terry Pratchett

“Celebrate all expressions of joy however they manifest. Even if Easter has no meaning to you at all– just another day. Another day is the most beautiful of miracles. Celebrate every minute of it however you feel called to, and allow and rejoice in others however they feel called to celebrate theirs.”
~ Spiritsong

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
~ Ralph Hodgson

“Springtime inspires us to believe that, along with the earth, we too might change, release the past, and give birth to new ideas…. Even though it happens this way every year, we stand in awe, our insides trembling sweetly like the legs of a new foal as we too are reborn…”
~ Madisyn Taylor

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Easter Sunday, March 31st, 10:30 a.m. – in person POH gathering followed by our monthly potluck (outside, we hope!).

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

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

Spring-like weather is well on its way! We’ve enjoyed working in the yard and gardens, raking away last fall’s leaves to reveal the rebirth of perennials and spring bulbs underneath. Planting is not far behind!

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!

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

Posted on

Life is a Balancing Act

March 24th, 2024

Happy Spring!! Should I continue working on our taxes, or work out in the yard and gardens in this glorious weather? Should I try to finish this newsletter amid jackhammering in the basement right under my feet, or snuggle away in the other part of the house with a good book? At each Equinox we are reminded of the exquisite balance taking place in our “little corner of the Universe” and how we can, and need to at times, apply balance in our own lives. We are excited to have Judi Lucero play music with us this Sunday as we explore the topic of balance! We hope you’ll take an hour or so to sit back with us and share your experiences.

Looking forward to it! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The art of living lies in balancing the acts of life”
~ B.S. Murthy

“Harmony is our natural state of being, and so, when our energies become too stagnant, chaos is thrown into the mix to stimulate what will eventually result in balance and invite flow. The trick is to not let chaos trap or define you… simply allow it to create movement in the vehicle of your life so that you can snap your eyes open and take back control of the wheel. Do not lose yourself in the storm, instead, be the calm in the storm.”
~ Alaric Hutchinson

“…essentially, the spaces between matter… do matter… tremendously! It’s here within the realms of the unseen, that the stuff that holds everything together exists, ensuring everything in the cosmos works somehow. Even during what we may consider to be destabilizing events, to bring about connectivity, continuity, balance and harmony.”
~ AshRawArt

“A balanced wheel gives you a smooth ride.
A Balanced life gives you the pleasures of life.
An unbalanced wheel gives you a rough ride.
An unbalanced life gives you the griefs in life.”
~ Dilan De Silva

“It’s about finding that balance where you have one foot in the familiar, one foot in the unfamiliar.
If you have two feet in the unfamiliar it’s overwhelming.
If you have two feet in the familiar then there’s just boredom.
It’s about having both.”
~ Humble the Poet

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Judi Lucero will be our guest musician (God willing and the creek don’t rise!” as we both like to say! Or in this case, if the snow don’t fall! Safe travels, Judi and Rudy!)

Easter Sunday, March 31st, 10:30 a.m. – in person POH gathering, followed by a potluck.

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 for this truly special evening! Learn all about Dana at https://www.danacoopermusic.com/

Sunday, April 14th – No Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 21st – in person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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

We are so grateful that the necessary repairs in our basement finally started this week (despite the unbearable noise!). This too shall pass… and we’ll be so happy to have more useable space again! This weather also has us giddy for enjoying more yard and garden time – but first the clean-up! Yes, balance!

We are ecstatic about some movement on our upcoming Sloniker family CD (6 years or so in the making! Darn Covid…). Myles has been working with an engineer in NYC on the final mixes. Stay tuned!

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!

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

Posted on

Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

March 15th, 2024

Hi there! Though we aren’t meeting this Sunday, I’m sending out a quick email as I’ve had to make some adjustments to the schedule, wanted to remind you of things coming up, AND announce our first house concert of the year! We ended up having to cancel our Zoom Gathering last week because of a major flight delay in Newark that got us home Sunday morning instead of Saturday night! Thanks to you Zoomers for your understanding.
Next Sunday, March 24th, we’ll have Judi Lucero coming in from Grand Junction to join us in some fine and merry music making. She’d love to see all her “Paths Pals” so we hope you can make it! Easter Sunday we plan to have a potluck after our gathering – affirming good weather so we can perhaps be outside!
Saturday, April 13th is our first house concert of 2024 and what a treat it will be! Nashville’s Americana/Folk Rock Artist Dana Cooper will grace our stage, ahead of releasing his highly anticipated 32nd studio album, “The Ghost of Tucumcari”. Featuring an All-Star lineup of guest artists, the album marks a major achievement for this veteran musician after more than 50 years in the business. Artists lending their voices to this project are Lyle Lovett, Hayes Carll, Susan Gibson, Mando Saenz, Darden Smith, Shake Russell, Libby Koch and others. Details of this exciting night with Dana will be forthcoming, but mark your calendars now!
Please make a note of some changes to the schedule below.

Enjoy your weekend! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
~ Irish Blessing

May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow.
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~ Irish Blessing

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***


Sunday, March 17th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Judi Lucero will be our guest musician (God willing and the creek don’t rise!” as we both like to say!)

Easter Sunday, March 31st, 10:30 a.m. – in person POH gathering, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, April 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday night, April 13th, “Paths of Heart Presents…” singer/songwriter Dana Cooper. Concert details to follow. Mark your calendars for this truly special evening!

Sunday, April 14th – No Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 21st – in person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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.

Paths of Heart Song Circles have been discontinued due to lack of attendance. We’re sorry to see them go!

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

We are so grateful for the moisture that this snowstorm brought us! Spring is on its way and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of green soon!

We are getting closer to finishing the upcoming Sloniker family CD (6 years or so in the making! Darn Covid…). Myles has been working with an engineer in NYC on the final mixes and we’re excited to share this long awaited project with you!

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!

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

Posted on

The Grateful Heart

March 10th, 2024

When I feel my life is off kilter, I can usually attribute it to the fact that I’ve temporarily forgotten gratitude in my daily practice. We have had lots to be grateful for this week, as we’ve gathered with family and friends to celebrate the Patriarch of the Crosson family at his 95th birthday party. So many memories of family times come to mind and our blessings are many. Let’s fill our cups with thoughts of gratitude and share our collective blessings! We’re on ZOOM this week and here’s the link:
Topic: Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: Mar 10, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81048493816?pwd=VS9xSHRvVWZvaDhRNzFTbEd2NU9Tdz09

Meeting ID: 810 4849 3816
Passcode: 442502

Do remember that we “Spring Forward” this Sunday, so set your clocks one hour ahead on Saturday night!
Grateful for you in our lives! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Going to sleep with a grateful, open heart
is a powerful healing practice. Your dreams will become
more inspiring and you will awaken in the morning
with a lighter state of mind.”
~ Dr. John Demartini

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”
~ G.K. Chesterton

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
~ Steve Maraboli

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***


Sunday, March 10th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins! And so does Ramadan!

Sunday, March 17th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Judi Lucero will be our guest musician (God willing and the creek don’t rise!” as we both like to say!)

Easter Sunday, March 31st, 10:30 a.m. – in person POH gathering

Sunday, April 7th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 14th – No Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, April 21st – in person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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.

Paths of Heart Song Circles have been discontinued due to lack of attendance. We’re sorry to see them go!

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

We are so grateful for our family time together this week in NJ! We had a family band concert for Dad and many of his friends came to celebrate with us.

We are ecstatic about some movement on our upcoming Sloniker family CD (6 years or so in the making! Darn Covid…). Myles has been working with an engineer in NYC on the final mixes. Stay tuned!

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!

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

Posted on

The Path of Compassion

March 3rd, 2024

One of the things that personally keeps me (Colleen) engaged in Paths of Heart is that when I am having challenges in my own life, we can pick a topic that helps in the learning and healing process of that particular challenge and I can steep myself in the wisdom of others while we prepare for Sunday’s message. Frequently we’re told it’s a message you needed to hear that day, too, so how cool is that?! We’re all in this together and we have more in common than we sometimes (want to) realize. Thanks for joining us on a journey of compassion this week!
Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
~ Coretta Scott King
(this was in last week’s newsletter, but lo and behold, compassion was in there, so I kept it!)

“As we grow in our consciousness, there will be more compassion and more love, and then the barriers between people, between religions, between nations will begin to fall. Yes, we have to beat down the separateness.”
~ Ram Dass

“For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?“
~ bell hooks

“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.”
~ Thomas Merton

“Great teachers emanate out of knowledge, passion and compassion.”
~ A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

“Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves.”
~ Mason Cooley

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, March 3rd – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 10th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins! And so does Ramadan!

Sunday, March 17th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. Judi Lucero will be our guest musician (God willing and the creek don’t rise!” as we both like to say!)

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.

Paths of Heart Song Circles have been discontinued due to lack of attendance. We’re sorry to see them go!

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

We are so grateful for all who came to our 10 year Celebration of Paths of Heart! It was such a lovely morning of sharing! Big thanks also to Katharine Gregory for co-facilitating!

We are ecstatic about some movement on our upcoming Sloniker family CD (6 years or so in the making! Darn Covid…). Myles has been working with an engineer in NYC on the final mixes. Stay tuned!

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

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
~ Steve Maraboli

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

Posted on

Celebrating 10 Years on a Path of Heart: Our Collective Journey

February 25th, 2024

It’s really quite remarkable that this month we celebrate 10 years of gatherings at Paths of Heart!! What a journey it’s been, and you’ve all played a significant part in it, no doubt about it. So this Sunday we’ll CELEBRATE and also explore what led us on our individual eclectic spiritual paths, and perhaps Paths of Heart specifically. We’d love to hear your stories. We are pleased to have Katharine Gregory co-facilitate the morning with us! Our gathering will be followed by a community potluck and we hope you can stay for that, too. We’ll plan on being indoors, but the way this weekend’s weather is shaping up, we may choose to be outside for our meal!

Thanks for walking this path with us, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
~ Coretta Scott King

“It may be that when we no longer know which way to go that we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings”
~ Wendell Berry

“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.”
~ S. Kelley Harrell

“Every human activity can be put at the service of the divine and of love. We should all exercise our gift to build community.”
~ Jean Vanier

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

“The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.”
~ Dean Ornish

“To walk the spiritual path is to continually step out into the unknown.”
~ Wallace Huey

“There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.”
~ M. Scott Peck

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, February 25th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. We’ll be celebrating 10 years of Paths of Heart with a potluck, immediately following our gathering. Woo hoo!

Sunday, March 3rd – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 10th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 17th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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.

Paths of Heart Song Circles have been discontinued due to lack of attendance. We’re sorry to see them go!

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

We are so grateful for all our music students who bring us joy in so many different ways as they express themselves through musical exploration! We also love these warmer days that remind us that spring is on its way!

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

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
~ Steve Maraboli

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

Posted on

A Super Kind of Love

February 11th, 2024

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is around the corner and “love” is in the air. But there’s so much more to this thing called love than what Hallmark would have us believe in. Let’s go beyond the commercial and the romantic and delve into what LOVE is really about. We’re on ZOOM this week and here’s the link:
Topic: Paths of Heart Zoom
Time: Feb 11, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84721848387?pwd=UlpKR2pNRU5GbzhBWTNkcVhELzk4UT09

Meeting ID: 847 2184 8387
Passcode: 522583

Love’s the Thing, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“God is Love — a Love so vast, so wise, so inclusive, so healing, that we can scarcely comprehend it…”
~ Roger Teel

“Real love knows nothing of the ego. Real love starts as self-love. Self-love knows nothing of comparison with others. You simply love yourself as you are. Ego comes with comparison with others.
In real love, there is no division. The lovers melt into each other. In egoistic love, there is great division.”
~ Swami Dhyan Giten

“The most important aspect of love is not in giving or the receiving: it’s in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I’m caught in an unstable situation. Being in love, rather than giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability. Being in love means seeing the Beloved all around me.”
~ Ram Dass

“Real love is also courageous, fierce, and willing to rock the boat and set the house on fire to facilitate transformation.”
~ Troy Hadeed

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, February 11th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 18th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 25th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. We’ll be celebrating 10 years of Paths of Heart with a potluck, immediately following our gathering. Woo hoo!

Sunday, March 3rd – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 10th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 17th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, March 24th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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

(via Mark…I think you’ll be able to tell!) We are so grateful to have a place to call Home! And part of what makes us so grateful is that even though it has been hit by lightning, challenged by flood (no really), blown upon via those wacky Wyoming winds…even compromised by soil/mud and dirt…Earth-wind and fire (water too), even the limbs of our beloved trees have lumbered down upon us and damaged the very roof over our heads! Currently we’re facing a new set of issues rocking our very foundation (threatening veritable domicide)!!! Yet we are still here, so thankful for this house, this home to grow kids in…this place to grow old in…Thank You, for this place we call home!

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

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
~ Steve Maraboli

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

Posted on

It’s a Surprise…!

February 4th, 2024

Since I’ve been unexpectedly in NJ all week and Mark and I haven’t had a chance to discuss a topic for this Sunday, it’ll be a surprise (for all of us – haha!). Maybe bring some of your favorite poetry to share…maybe we’ll talk about the shadow side of things in honor of Punxutawney Phil (Happy Groundhog Day everybody!)…maybe it’ll be about grief, or living in the moment, or all of these things. All that really matters every Sunday at Paths of Heart is that you come with an open heart and simply BE with us. It always flows from there.
Looking forward to BEing with you, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.”
~ Patrick Overton

“Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. When there’s a big disappointment, we don’t know if that’s the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure. Life is like that. We don’t know anything. We call something bad; we call it good. But really we just don’t know.”
~ Pema Chödrön

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
~ A.A. Milne

“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.”
~ Walt Whitman

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”
~ Amit Ray

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

***Dates subject to change! Please always refer to latest newsletters for latest information and updates***

Sunday, February 4th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 11th – ZOOM POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 18th – NO Paths of Heart Gathering

Sunday, February 25th – In person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

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.

Paths of Heart Song Circles have been discontinued due to lack of attendance. We’re sorry to see them go!

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

We are grateful that our daughter Emma could step in last Sunday and help facilitate with Mark as well as join in the music! I needed some restorative rest before my trip.

I am personally grateful to be spending time with my dear Dad in NJ. I am grateful to have the time and the means to do so.

I continue to work from afar on donation letters for tax purposes and am sending the remaining ones by email. How grateful we are that there are so many of you supporting Paths of Heart! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

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

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just an observation: it is impossible to be both grateful and depressed. Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
~ Steve Maraboli

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