Be COOL!

Sunday, July 19th, 2026

We thought this photo might help! As we were thinking of ways to beat the heat here in CO, I started thinking of all these phrases – “Stay cool”, “Cool it!”, “Coolio!”, “Cool Beans”, “Coolness”, “Cool as a cucumber”, “Losing your cool”… We know it’s kind of a weird topic, but let’s gather on Sunday (in person) and share all things COOL – things you’ve done, things you’ve seen, things you might need to put the brakes on, things you’re dreaming about. Anything goes (as long as it’s cool!). Since the forecast for Sunday is 101 degrees in our weather app, it’s likely we’ll stay inside (and stay cool) for the potluck! Thank goodness for air conditioning!

Cool, huh? Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes.”
~ Walt Whitman

“I’m cool with failing so long as I know that there are people around me that love me unconditionally.”
~ Dave Chappelle

“It’s so important to realize that every time you get upset, it drains your emotional energy. Losing your cool makes you tired. Getting angry a lot messes with your health.”
~ Joyce Meyer

“Be still and cool in thine own mind and spirit.”
~ George Fox

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”
~ Thomas Jefferson

“My parents are the coolest of the cool on every single level, and it’s because they have a deep appreciation for every moment of their lives.”
~ Rashida Jones

“Being uncool is being pretty much the coolest you can be.”
~ Rufus Wainwright

“To act coolly, intelligently and prudently in perilous circumstances is the test of a man – and also a nation.”
~ Adlai Stevenson

“Sometimes it’s okay to give yourself a pat on the back and say, ‘That was cool. That made me feel good.’ “
~ Sebastian Stan

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Saturday, August 1st, 7 p.m. – “Paths of Heart Presents…” Shanna in a Dress for a House Concert! If you’ve never seen Shanna, she is a delightful performer with songs that will have you bursting with laughter one minute, and reaching for the tissues in the next. She has just released her new CD, The Sweet Spot, which can be heard on BandCamp. Check out her website: https://www.shannainadress.com. We’ll host an optional potluck at 6 p.m. Suggested donation $25. Ticket link: https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/

Sunday, August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, with Shanna in a Dress as our guest musician, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, August 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

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

We are grateful for so much music in our lives – music we make together as a family and with friends, and concerts we go to see on a regular basis. Music heals!

What are you grateful for?

“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

07/09/202607/14/2026

The Joy of Service

Sunday, July 12th, 2026

One of our favorite quotes is by Rabindranath Tagore ~ “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” Helping others with our time, talents, and treasures is a joyful thing indeed. When we are feeling down or out of sorts, we’ve found there is no better way to lift our spirits than to focus on someone else’s needs, giving freely and unconditionally as we are able. In turn, we bring joy to those we serve ~ a win-win for all! Please join us this Sunday on ZOOM to share your stories of giving and receiving ~ two sides of the same coin! Here’s the link:
Topic: Paths of Heart ZOOM Gathering
Time: Jul 12, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87066059274?pwd=nbVuwjaDlAcZwEvuvKBNWfPala3kkz.1

Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87066059274

Meeting ID: 870 6605 9274
Passcode: 643547

Join by SIP

87066059274@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/87066059274/invitations?signature=mq9uCtq1Ql5IPZRKIcIPGAQ8kNbSrOwbJ4Ny6agjx58

In loving service, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.”
~ Dorothy Height

“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”
~ Kallam Anji Reddy

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

“Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.”
~ Leo Tolstoy

“I want a president with a record of public service, someone whose life’s work shows our children that we don’t chase fame and fortune for ourselves: we fight to give everyone a chance to succeed.”
~ Michelle Obama

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, with Shanna in a Dress as our guest musician, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, August 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Gratitudes

We had a glorious 6 days visiting friends in Steamboat, Oak Creek, and Hot Sulphur Springs over the 4th of July holiday. Treasured moments, beautiful scenery, parades, a boat ride, great food! So much to be grateful for!

What are you grateful for?

“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

06/18/202606/18/2026

Father Sun

Sunday, June 21st, 2026

This Sunday we’ll celebrate 2 events – Father’s Day and The Summer Solstice! The sun has been associated with powerful Father Energy in many ancient and diverse cultures. The Plains Indians, for example, recognized that without Father Sun’s light and energy, showered upon Mother Earth in so many mysterious ways, that She could not give birth to all her children. She would be barren.
Throughout Native and a host of other traditions, Father Sun has come to symbolize the Source of DIVINE LIGHT and the Procreative Energy of LOVE. We’ll discuss this intermingling of Father Energy with the Summer Solstice this Sunday, and celebrate with a potluck in the backyard following our gathering.
Solstice Blessings! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

Night in Day
The night never wants to end, to give itself over
to light. So it traps itself in things: obsidian, crows.
Even on summer solstice, the day of light’s great
triumph, where fields of sunflowers guzzle in the sun—
we break open the watermelon and spit out
black seeds, bits of night glistening on the grass.
~ Joseph Stroud

“Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song.”
~ Pam Brown

“Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now, I have six children and no theories.”
~ John Wilmot

“May we have a peaceful Father’s Day, and may we all become the fathers we needed most.”
~ Danielle Beutell

“Whether we speak of the sun as our Father or as our Brother, we are giving voice to an urge that wells up from the center of our natures, an awareness that we are linked to this giant being, variously called Surya, Sol, Brahma, Helios, Ra, Phoebus-Apollo, etc., by ancient peoples. Paying homage to the sun has nothing in it of servitude, for it is a recognition that we too are sparks of the central fire, that in us also a spiritual sun shines, shedding its bright light upon all activities that are ennobling, kindly, and understanding…”
~ John P. Vater

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering. NOTE: this was moved forward one week, from the 5th.

Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Saturday, August 1st, 7 p.m. – “Paths of Heart Presents…” Shanna in a Dress for a House Concert! If you’ve never seen Shanna, she is a delightful performer with songs that will have you bursting with laughter one minute, and reaching for the tissues in the next. She has just released her new CD, The Sweet Spot, which can be heard on BandCamp. Check out her website: https://www.shannainadress.com. More details coming!

Sunday, August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, with Shanna in a Dress as our guest musician, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, August 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Gratitudes

Thanks for the many well wishes and offers when Colleen was sick last week. She was so sad to miss most of Myles’ visit and playing music with the family, but she’s very much on the mend. We are grateful Myles could be here for a short visit!

What are you grateful for?

“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

06/06/202606/08/2026

As Within, So Without

Sunday, June 7th, 2026

First off – apologies for this very late newsletter! Camping in the mountains with no cell or internet service this week was the cause – a delightful experience, yet it put me behind in a number of things when I got back!
On to this Sunday’s topic: Do you ever have days or even longer periods in your life when nothing seems to go “right”? When “bad” things keep happening to you and you’re faced with challenge after challenge? In those times, it may be worth considering that our outer world circumstances are a direct reflection of our inner world. Many of us believe in the universal “law of attraction” – that what we feel, think, and believe in our minds has a great tendency to manifest in our lives. Change your thoughts into a more positive landscape and it’s amazing how your outer world experiences will also change! You will begin to attract the people, opportunities, and experiences that bring you joy, ease, and abundance of all kinds in your life. We hope you’ll join us for a lively discussion on ZOOM this Sunday (TOMORROW!). Here’s the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: Jun 7, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83347931599?pwd=ABqzc416bST94eBrlOwv6sxBnsFcRs.1

Meeting ID: 833 4793 1599
Passcode: 304700

Join by SIP

83347931599@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83347931599/invitations?signature=FP6PZJqar3szLqJFGTLkOlBN1S1MHgss09OhEGIsQHc

Happy Manifesting! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Reality is a projection of your thoughts or the things you habitually think about.”
~ Stephen Richards

“You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being. An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans and a t-shirt, and within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be and ever was.”
~ Anthon St. Maarten

“The mind has a powerful way of attracting things that are in harmony with it, good and bad.”
~ Idowu Koyenikan

“When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.”
~ Shannon L. Alder

“If you knew your potential to feel good, you would ask no one to be different so that you can feel good. You would free yourself of all of that cumbersome impossibility of needing to control the world, or control your mate, or control your child. You are the only one who creates your reality. For no one else can think for you, no one else can do it. It is only you, every bit of it you.”
~ Esther Hicks

“Everything is within your power, and your power is within you.”
~ Janice Trachtman

“What you feel about another person, what you think or say about another person, what you do to another person – you do to you. Give judgment and criticism and you give it to yourself. Give love and appreciation to another person or anything, and you give it to yourself.”
~ Rhonda Byrne

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, June 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, July 5th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Gratitudes

So many! An awesome house concert with Cosy and Charlie, Camping up Poudre Canyon with wonderful friends, food, sights, and sounds, More flowers and plants appearing in our gardens (later than usual, including these beauties pictured here!).

What are you grateful for?

“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

05/21/202605/24/2026

Planting Seeds

Sunday, May 24th, 2026

It sure has been a strange spring! With recent snows, freezing temperatures, and being in and out of town, we still have not planted any vegetables or annuals, and I suppose that’s a good thing! But I’ve been THINKING about planting and that’s got me thinking about the analogy of planting seeds in our mind for the things we’d like to nurture and grow in our lives. Since thoughts become things, let’s sow seeds of love, gratitude, joy, and abundance! Hope you’ll join us in discussion and stay for our potluck afterwards in the backyard. The forecast looks gorgeous!
Happy Planting! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.”
~ Cynthia Occelli

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“Our thoughts are the most impactful actions we can take in our lives. They are the seeds that create every aspect of who we are.”
~ Charisse Glenn

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition, and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other with us in our minds wherever we go.”
~ Martha Washington

“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.”
~ William Wordsworth

You plant seeds every single day, in the world and in others, with every thought you think and word you speak and action you take. You have influence. You’re making a dent in the universe and you matter, in a very real way.
~ Jennifer Healey

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, May 24th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck. Emma Sloniker will be our guest musician!

Saturday, May 30th, 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Cosy Sheridan with Charlie Koch in concert. You won’t want to miss this! Cosy Sheridan has been called “a Buddhist monk in a twelve-step program trapped in the body of a singer-songwriter” and also one of the era’s finest and most thoughtful songwriters. Her music regularly tops the folk radio charts. Her 2025 release, The Breathing Room, debuted at #3 on folk radio. We’ll have an optional potluck at 6 p.m. Suggested donation $25. RSVP required: info@pathsofheart.org
You may pre-pay at https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ or on venmo @PathsofHeart.
Please note “Cosy Concert” in memo.
Find more info on Cosy and her music at, https://cosysheridan.com/

Sunday, June 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Sunday, July 5th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Gratitudes

Ah, this RAIN!!! Things are finally greening up around here and that brings us much joy!

What are you grateful for?

“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

05/07/202605/07/2026

Love Your Mother: The Sequel!

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Ha! At our last gathering, we talked about our “Earth Mother”; this Sunday we’ll talk about our “personal” mothers, whether they be biological, “step-“, mother figures, mothers of choice, or really any person that provides you with a “nurturing, mothering vibe”! We acknowledge that Mother’s Day is not always a positive experience for many and we can delve into that, too, as our participants feel called. We’re on ZOOM this week, and here’s the link:
Topic: Paths of Heart ZOOM Gathering
Time: May 10, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88421217257?pwd=Ugh0DchdYoVemQpBqoiOF7Wkwg3neM.1

Meeting ID: 884 2121 7257
Passcode: 116779

Join by SIP

88421217257@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/88421217257/invitations?signature=kfta8HgyWkp46xffchpaM7bvY38SxYsuZOuowHPh1ZU

Wishing you ALL a Happy Mother’s Day (you either are one or you have one!),
Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Mother energy is universal. It is the large expression of the sacred feminine that comes from spirit. It is embodied in all our biological mothers, but it’s not limited or confined to them.”
~ Elaine Seiler

I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars.
~ E. M. Forster

“Life began with waking up and loving my mother’s face.”
~ George Eliot

“We are born of love; Love is our mother.”
~ Rumi

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.”
~ Cardinal Meymillod

“If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way mom told you to in the beginning.”
~ Unknown

“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”
~ Barbara Kingsolver

“Besides, the real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men, — from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms.”
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

“A mom forgives us all our faults, not to mention one or two we don’t even have.”
~ Robert Brault

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, May 24th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Saturday, May 30th, 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Cosy Sheridan with Charlie Koch in concert. You won’t want to miss this! Cosy Sheridan has been called “a Buddhist monk in a twelve-step program trapped in the body of a singer-songwriter” and also one of the era’s finest and most thoughtful songwriters. Her music regularly tops the folk radio charts. Her 2025 release, The Breathing Room, debuted at #3 on folk radio. We’ll have an optional potluck at 6 p.m. Suggested donation $25. RSVP required: info@pathsofheart.org
You may pre-pay at https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ or on venmo @PathsofHeart.
Please note “Cosy Concert” in memo.
Find more info on Cosy and her music at, https://cosysheridan.com/

Sunday, June 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Gratitudes

Oh my gosh! Was that Northern CO snowstorm not glorious?? We so desperately needed the moisture and it was SO lovely! Hopefully there was not too much tree damage for you (ours wasn’t too bad). We look forward to things really greening up finally!

What are you grateful for?

“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

04/22/202604/23/2026

Love Your Mother

Sunday, April 26th, 2026

As I sit down to write this newsletter it is Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22nd since 1970. For 56 years, we have collectively honored Mother Earth and all that She provides for us, while being reminded that we are all ONE on this big blue ball and that our most sacred task is the responsible stewardship of our beautiful planet for ourselves and all future generations. This Sunday we will express our gratitude and share ways in which we can ensure the health and well being of our most precious Earth home. I think we’ll plan for an indoor potluck this Sunday, as the current forecast looks a bit iffy (come on rain!!), but who really knows? The Mother always keeps us guessing…
In Oneness, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”
~ Wendell Berry

“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”
~ Lady Bird Johnson

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead

“The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.”
~ John Paul II

“Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.”
~ Jimmy Carter

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
~ Jane Goodall

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”
~ Gaylord Nelson

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, April 26th, 10:30 a.m – In-person Paths of Heart Gathering with a potluck following in the backyard, as weather permits. We will very likely be inside!

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

Sunday, May 24th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Saturday, May 30th, 7 p.m. “Paths of Heart Presents…” Cosy Sheridan with Charlie Koch in concert. You won’t want to miss this! Cosy Sheridan has been called “a Buddhist monk in a twelve-step program trapped in the body of a singer-songwriter” and also one of the era’s finest and most thoughtful songwriters. Her music regularly tops the folk radio charts. Her 2025 release, The Breathing Room, debuted at #3 on folk radio. We’ll have an optional potluck at 6 p.m. Suggested donation $25. Please RSVP at info@pathsofheart.org. You can also prepay to guarantee your seat here https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ or on venmo @PathsofHeart.
Please note “Cosy Concert” in memo.
Find more info on Cosy and her music at https://cosysheridan.com/

Sunday, June 7th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.

Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Gratitudes

We had a beautiful several days in Paonia, celebrating a dear friend’s life and enjoying the company of several others. What a great, friendly town!

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

04/11/202604/11/2026

The Antidote is JOY!

Sunday, April 12th, 2026

The current state of our country and the world continues to agitate and aggravate – if we let it. JOY can actually be a tool for societal and environmental change. So many systems of power and oppression rely on our exhaustion, our apathy, and our disconnection from our true selves. We invite you to counteract these forces by connecting with your inner joyful self! We’re on ZOOM this week. Here’s the link and we hope you’ll join us in conversation.

Paths of Heart ZOOM Gathering
Time: Apr 12, 2026 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85845228299?pwd=ZyGa5KSaJm361wSjflXE4cwzsrcIWU.1

Meeting ID: 858 4522 8299
Passcode: 880977

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85845228299/invitations?signature=AgcLVxQxKgxt42C1orS-j-bz1Q1ujBDDf3r5ctxtkLM

Spread Joy, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
~ Leo Buscaglia

“Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.”
~ Joseph Campbell

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”
~ Helen Keller

“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God”
~ Teilhard de Chardin

“Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”
~ Swedish proverb

“It is okay to feel more Joy than the people around you. It is one of the greatest gifts we can give. They need our Joy, not our sadness.”
~ unknown

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, April 12th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering. NOTE: we shifted this a week earlier, as we will be attending a Memorial/Celebration of Life for a dear friend on the 19th. Thank you for your understanding.

Sunday, April 26th, 10:30 a.m – In-person Paths of Heart Gathering with a potluck following in the backyard.

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

Sunday, May 24th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.

Gratitudes

Every moment holds an opportunity to be grateful! Steep in it!

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

03/20/202603/20/2026

Spring (or is that Summer??) Has Sprung!

March 22nd, 2026

Welcome to Sprummer, or Sung, or…What is going ON?? Whatever it is, Spring (as it is officially known) has officially begun. It’s my (Colleen’s) favorite season, though I am concerned…
We’ll talk about all the wonderful things Spring can teach us – it’s a time for growth and renewal and keen observation. I also noticed that it’s World Water Day this Sunday, and though I am in no way making light of the world wide crisis of the lack of fresh, clean, safe water for many around the globe, Mark and I have had a bit too much of it lately, as you will hear. Looking forward to seeing you all after several weeks! I hope it’s not TOO HOT for our outdoor potluck following our gathering.
With a spring in our step, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.”
~ Jessica Harrelson

The Spring being at her blessed carpentry
This morn will shape a stem, this noon a leaf,
Then jewel her sparse greenery with a bud.
~ Louise Imogen Guiney

Of course everything is blooming most recklessly: if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
~ Leo Tolstoy

“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
~ Virgil A. Kraft

“The first bud of spring sings the other seeds into joining her uprising.”
~ Amanda Gorman

“I can still bring into my body the joy I felt at seeing the first trillium of spring, which seemed to be telling me, “Never give up hope, spring will come.”
~ Jessica Stern

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

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

Easter Sunday, April 5th, 10:30 a.m – Help us decide whether this will be an in-person or a Zoom Sunday since we do love our Easter gatherings here! We’ll discuss this Sunday, but if you have some thoughts and want to email ahead of time, please do!

Sunday, April 19th, 10:30 a.m. – Still deciding… This will be a ZOOM gathering if we do decide to have Easter in person. Help us decide!

Gratitudes

We are grateful to have spent some amazing time in HI, and also grateful to have made it back home in the midst of powerful storms that took a toll in significant ways…

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

02/27/202602/28/2026

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).

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