Month: August 2019

Posted on

Living Amid Chaos

Sunday, August 25th 
 
Living Amid Chaos

Well, it’s begun.  Mark and Colleen have started a series of renovation projects that have their lives turned a bit topsy-turvy.  It’s time to (re)learn how to stay balanced and focused (and kind!) amid the chaos.  Bring your ideas!  Also bring a dish to share for our potluck immediately following our gathering.  See you Sunday!

Quotes to ponder

“Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.” ~ Amelia Atwater-Rhode

“I finally figured out that not every crisis can be managed. As much as we want to keep ourselves safe, we can’t protect ourselves from everything. If we want to embrace life, we also have to embrace chaos.” ~ Susan Elizabeth Phillips

“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.” ~ Nikki Rowe

“True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed.” ― Tom Robbins

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, August 25th – Our next community potluck, immediately following our gathering.  Please bring a dish to share and your own table service (plate and utensils).  We’ll provide cups, napkins and a variety of beverages.

Sunday, September 8th – There will be no Paths of Heart Gathering on this date.

“Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert Series – The “Megan Bee with OMD” concert was a blast!  Thanks to all who attended – we had a full house!  We have several more concerts planned that we’re really excited about. Mark your calendars to hear these wonderful nationally touring artists:

Saturday, Oct. 5th – The Home Fires (Vicky Emerson and Sarah Morris)
Saturday, Oct. 19th – Tracy Grammer
More details for these concerts to follow.

If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider shopping through Amazon Smile and designating Paths of Heart as your non-profit of choice.  A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Paths of Heart!  Here is a handy link:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4175487

If you are a King Soopers shopper, please consider joining their Community Rewards program by linking your loyalty card online to Paths of Heart.  Our non-profit will receive a percentage of all your purchases there!  We recently got our first check (over $300!) since the new program started a few months ago, so this is an easy and great way to support Paths of Heart effortlessly!  

We invite you to visit our website, https://pathsofheart.org. There you’ll find past newsletters, a newsletter sign-up form, more information about our non-profit, a photo gallery, and a ‘donate’ button, for those who prefer to donate with a credit card.  You can even sign up for automatic monthly donations, which folks find very convenient!  Stop by for a visit and please share with friends! 

Gratitudes

Thanks to all who’ve been attending our song circles over these many months.  What a joyous time we’ve had together!  Alas, we’ve decided to suspend them for awhile as we anticipate a very full schedule for the fall.  We are thinking our next one will be a holiday themed sing-a-long in early/mid December.  Thank you for your understanding!
 
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Other Details….
If this has been forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to join us, we encourage you to add your name to our newsletter list, as schedules do occasionally change,and we like to keep you informed of topics and special events as well. Just visit our website https://pathsofheart.org and click the newsletter sign-up link. If you know of other interested and kind-hearted souls, please refer them to our website, or they may also contact us by email: info@pathsofheart.org or by phone: 970-484-9600, to learn more about our non-profit organization. Thanks! 

Car-eography
You may park in the driveway, as well as diagonally along the north side of our property.  Should those areas become full, please park out on Hwy 1, which has plenty of space and a nice wide shoulder.  Do watch for passing cars as you are exiting and entering your vehicle, though! The carport area is reserved for folks with special parking needs. Out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you kindly refrain from parking on Evans Drive beyond our property line. Car pooling is encouraged.  We also have a bike rack for cyclists!

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together in 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! Our gatherings are most every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 117 Evans Drive in north Fort Collins. Childcare is available (please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements).

We hope our paths cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi

Posted on

That’s What Friends Are For

Sunday, August 18th 
 
That’s What Friends Are For

Like last week, the title of this week’s discussion is also the title of a song (which you’ll probably also hear – and sing along with – this Sunday!).  The above picture is from a few years back, when the a cappella group, “Our Mothers’ Daughters” reconvened in Fort Collins from various parts of the country after a very long hiatus.  Well, it’s happening again this week, with even more former members joining us, and it’s got us thinking of the value of longstanding and deep friendships and how they can really lift us up through life’s roller coaster ride.  Think about the circle of friends in your life – your tribe – and share your stories with us!  Also, remember our “Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert this very Saturday night with Our Mothers’ Daughters and Megan Bee!  Details are below.  We hope some of “the daughters” can stick around for Sunday morning to join us in song, too!

Quotes to ponder

“Few things have such a huge impact on happiness and the enjoyment, depth and plain fun of life as the friendships we have.” ~ Henrik Edberg

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.”
~ David Tyson

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” ~ Unknown

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

“Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert Series – After a bit of a break, we have several concerts planned that we’re really excited about, with the next one coming up THIS SATURDAY!   Mark your calendars to hear these wonderful local and nationally touring artists!

Saturday, August 17th, 7 pm – Megan Bee with OMD (Our Mothers’ Daughters reunion!).  OMD is the popular a cappella group that Colleen has sung with for the past 30+ years.  They haven’t performed much over the last decade, so this will be a rare treat!  Former and current members are traveling from all over the country (NY, FL, MN, MI) to sing and play (in the varied sense of the word!) together. Megan Bee is a fun and talented Athens,OH based singer-songwriter that has performed at Paths of Heart 2 other times to an enthusiastic audience. Since her scheduled house concert date coincided with the serendipitous reunion of OMD, she has graciously invited us to share the stage with her.  Suggested donation is $20 at the door and we’ll have a finger food and beverage potluck during intermission.  Concert starts at 7!  Come early to grab a seat and please spread the word!

Saturday, Oct. 5th – The Home Fires
Saturday, Oct. 19th – Tracy Grammer
More details for these concerts to follow!

Tuesday, August 20th, 7 pm – Our next Song Circle

Sunday, August 25th – Our next community potluck, immediately following our gathering.

Sunday, September 8th – No Paths of Heart Gathering.  We’ll  see you the following week, September 15th!

If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider shopping through Amazon Smile and designating Paths of Heart as your non-profit of choice.  A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Paths of Heart!  Here is a handy link:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4175487

If you are a King Soopers shopper, please consider joining their Community Rewards program by linking your loyalty card online to Paths of Heart.  Our non-profit will receive a percentage of all your purchases there!  We recently got our first check (over $300!) since the new program started a few months ago, so this is an easy and great way to support Paths of Heart effortlessly!  

We invite you to visit our website, https://pathsofheart.org. There you’ll find past newsletters, a newsletter sign-up form, more about our organization, a photo gallery, and a ‘donate’ button, for those who prefer to donate to our non-profit with a credit card.  You can even sign up for automatic monthly donations, which folks find very convenient!  Stop by for a visit and please share with friends! 

Gratitudes

We are so grateful to Cynthia Molson for purchasing alphabetical dividers for our songbooks!  We’d like to have a quick “assembly party”, perhaps right after a Sunday gathering sometime soon, so please let us know if you could lend a hand. “Many hands make light work”, as Colleen’s Dad often said during her childhood!  She still loves that phrase…
 
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Other Details….
If this has been forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to join us, we encourage you to add your name to our newsletter list, as schedules do occasionally change,and we like to keep you informed of topics and special events as well. Just visit our website https://pathsofheart.org and click the newsletter sign-up link. If you know of other interested and kind-hearted souls, please refer them to our website, or they may also contact us by email: info@pathsofheart.org or by phone: 970-484-9600, to learn more about our non-profit organization. Thanks! 

Car-eography
You may park in the driveway, as well as diagonally along the north side of our property.  Should those areas become full, please park out on Hwy 1, which has plenty of space and a nice wide shoulder.  Do watch for passing cars as you are exiting and entering your vehicle, though! The carport area is reserved for folks with special parking needs. Out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you kindly refrain from parking on Evans Drive beyond our property line. Car pooling is encouraged.  We also have a bike rack for cyclists!

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together in 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! Our gatherings are most every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 117 Evans Drive in north Fort Collins. Childcare is available (please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements).

We hope our paths cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi

Posted on

Just This Moment

Sunday, August 11th 
 
Just This Moment

The title of this week’s theme is also the title of a song by our friend, Steve Walters (you’ll probably hear it this Sunday!).  Colleen was with a group of friends earlier this week and during their conversation, several mentioned how difficult it sometimes is to stay in the present moment.  Eckhart Tolle reminds us that “Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry – all forms of fear – are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.”  Let’s explore and remind ourselves how staying in the present moment can lead to a much more enjoyable and productive life!

Quotes to ponder

“If you feel anxiety or depression, you are not in the present. You are either anxiously projecting the future or depressed and stuck in the past. The only thing you have any control over is the present moment; simple breathing exercises can make us calm and present instantly.” ~ Tobe Hanson

“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” ~ Abraham Maslow

“If you were conscious, that is to say totally present in the Now, all negativity would dissolve almost instantly. It could not survive in your presence.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

“Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert Series – After a bit of a break, we have several concerts planned that we’re really excited about!    Mark your calendars to hear the rest of these scheduled and wonderful local and nationally touring artists!

Saturday, August 17th – Megan Bee with OMD (Our Mothers’ Daughters reunion!).  OMD is the popular a cappella group that Colleen has sung with for the past 30+ years!  They haven’t performed much over the last decade, so this will be a rare treat!  Former and current members are traveling from all over the country (NY, FL, MN, MI) to sing and play (in the varied sense of the word!) together. Megan Bee is a fun and talented Athens, OH based singer-songwriter that has performed at Paths of Heart 2 other times to an enthusiastic audience. Since her scheduled house concert date coincided with the serendipitous reunion of OMD, she has graciously invited us to share the stage with her.  Suggested donation is $20 at the door and we’ll have a finger food and beverage potluck during intermission.  Concert starts at 7!  Come early to grab a seat and please spread the word!

Saturday, Oct. 5th – The Home Fires
Saturday, Oct. 19th – Tracy Grammer
More details for these concerts to follow!

Tuesday, August 20th, 7 pm – Our next Song Circle

Sunday, August 25th – Our next community potluck, immediately following our gathering.

If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider shopping through Amazon Smile and designating Paths of Heart as your non-profit of choice.  A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Paths of Heart!  Here is a handy link:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4175487

If you are a King Soopers shopper, please consider joining their Community Rewardsprogram by linking your loyalty card online to Paths of Heart.  Our non-profit will receive a percentage of all your purchases there!  We just got our first check (over $300!) since the new program started a few months ago, so this is an easy and great way to support Paths of Heart effortlessly!  

We invite you to visit our website, https://pathsofheart.org. There you’ll find past newsletters, a newsletter sign-up form, more about our organization, a photo gallery, and a ‘donate’ button, for those who prefer to donate to our non-profit with a credit card.  You can even sign up for automatic monthly donations, which folks find very convenient!  Stop by for a visit and please share with friends! 

Gratitudes

We are so grateful to Cynthia Molson for purchasing alphabetical dividers for our songbooks!  We’d like to have a quick “assembly party”, perhaps right after a Sunday gathering sometime soon, so please let us know if you could lend a hand. “Many hands make light work”, as Colleen’s Dad often said during her childhood!  She still loves that phrase…
 
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Other Details….
If this has been forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to join us, we encourage you to add your name to our newsletter list, as schedules do occasionally change,and we like to keep you informed of topics and special events as well. Just visit our website https://pathsofheart.org and click the newsletter sign-up link. If you know of other interested and kind-hearted souls, please refer them to our website, or they may also contact us by email: info@pathsofheart.org or by phone: 970-484-9600, to learn more about our non-profit organization. Thanks! 

Car-eography
You may park in the driveway, as well as diagonally along the north side of our property.  Should those areas become full, please park out on Hwy 1, which has plenty of space and a nice wide shoulder.  Do watch for passing cars as you are exiting and entering your vehicle, though! The carport area is reserved for folks with special parking needs. Out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you kindly refrain from parking on Evans Drive beyond our property line. Car pooling is encouraged.  We also have a bike rack for cyclists!

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together in 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! Our gatherings are most every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 117 Evans Drive in north Fort Collins. Childcare is available (please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements).

We hope our paths cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi

Posted on

Relax, Restore, Renew!

Sunday, August 4th 
 
Relax, Restore, Renew!

Everyone needs some time periodically to pull back from the busyness of life and just breathe…whether that means right where you are, in your own backyard, across town, or across the world.  Mark and Colleen took a little respite this week in the lovely mountain town of Hot Sulphur Springs.  Rest, soaks, massages, reading, and strolling were the orders of the day, with very little agenda.  They have come back recharged and refreshed and ready to discuss the benefits of such moments, no matter how brief.  We hope you’ll “take a little time” with us this Sunday morning!

 P.S. Sorry for the “tardiness” of this newsletter!  Crafting a newsletter by Wednesday/Thursday was, of course, not on the vacation “agenda”, and we didn’t return till Friday afternoon (just in time to perform with the whole family at The Sunset Lounge!).  Back to the busyness – ha ha!

Quotes to ponder

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ~ John Lubbock

“A holiday is an opportunity to journey within. It is also a chance to chill, to relax. It is when I switch on my rest mode.” ~ Prabhas

“The purpose of a vacation is to have the time to rest. But many of us, even when we go on vacation, don’t know how to rest. We may even come back more tired than before we left.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

“Paths of Heart Presents…” House Concert Series – After a bit of a break, we have several concerts planned that we’re really excited about.  The concert with Brian David Collins last week was phenomenal!  Thanks to all who came to support Brian and his heartfelt original music.  Mark your calendars to hear the rest of these scheduled and wonderful local and nationally touring artists!

Saturday, August 17th – Megan Bee with OMD (Our Mothers’ Daughters reunion!).  OMD is the popular a cappella group that Colleen has sung with for the past 30+ years!  They haven’t performed much over the last decade, so this will be a rare treat!  Former and current members are traveling from all over the country (NY, FL, MN, MI) to sing and play (in the varied sense of the word!) together. Megan Bee is a fun and talented Athens, OH based singer-songwriter that has performed at Paths of Heart two other times to an enthusiastic audience. Since her scheduled house concert date coincided with the serendipitous reunion of OMD, she has graciously invited us to share the stage with her.  Suggested donation is $20 at the door and we’ll have a finger food and beverage potluck during intermission. Concert starts at 7.  Come early to grab a seat and please spread the word!

Saturday, Oct. 5th – The Home Fires
Saturday, Oct. 19th – Tracy Grammer
More details for these concerts to follow!

If you are an Amazon shopper, please consider shopping through Amazon Smile and designating Paths of Heart as your non-profit of choice.  A percentage of your purchases will be donated to Paths of Heart!  Here is a handy link:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4175487

If you are a King Soopers shopper, please consider joining their Community Rewards program by simply linking your loyalty card online to Paths of Heart.  Our non-profit will receive a percentage of all your purchases there!  We just got our first check (over $300!) since the new program started a few months ago, so this is an easy and great way to support Paths of Heart effortlessly!  

We invite you to visit our website, https://pathsofheart.org. There you’ll find past newsletters, a newsletter sign-up form, more about our organization, a photo gallery, and a ‘donate’ button, for those who prefer to donate to our non-profit with a credit card.  You can even sign up for automatic monthly donations, which folks find very convenient!  Stop by for a visit and please share with friends! 

Gratitudes

We so appreciate the financial contributions you lovingly give to Paths of Heart.  Our community gatherings are funded almost entirely by your donations and we are able to continue and expand our programs because of your generosity.  Many hours per week are dedicated to preparing each week’s discussion and music, as well as keeping up with all the business responsibilities of a 501(c)3 non-profit.  We are grateful to all who realize the labor of love required! 
 
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Other Details….
If this has been forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to join us, we encourage you to add your name to our newsletter list, as schedules do occasionally change,and we like to keep you informed of topics and special events as well. Just visit our website https://pathsofheart.org and click the newsletter sign-up link. If you know of other interested and kind-hearted souls, please refer them to our website, or they may also contact us by email: info@pathsofheart.org or by phone: 970-484-9600, to learn more about our non-profit organization. Thanks! 

Car-eography
You may park in the driveway, as well as diagonally along the north side of our property.  Should those areas become full, please park out on Hwy 1, which has plenty of space and a nice wide shoulder.  Do watch for passing cars as you are exiting and entering your vehicle, though! The carport area is reserved for folks with special parking needs. Out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you kindly refrain from parking on Evans Drive beyond our property line. Car pooling is encouraged.  We also have a bike rack for cyclists!

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together in 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! Our gatherings are most every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 117 Evans Drive in north Fort Collins. Childcare is available (please let us know ahead of time so we can make arrangements).

We hope our paths cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi