Guided by Passion

June 2nd, 2024

A quote about passion in a friend’s newsletter spurred on this week’s topic! I’ve been feeling passionate about my life lately – spending time with dear friends and family, immersing myself in my favorite season of the year (even as I can’t “dig in” as I usually do because of hip issues), and looking forward to a resolution of those hip issues very soon so I can become even MORE passionate about returning to the activities I’m passionate about!! We believe following one’s passion(s) can be the most significant factor in a life well lived, full of enthusiasm, joy, and success on all levels. Please join us in conversation on ZOOM this Sunday. Here’s the link:
Paths of Heart Zoom Meeting
Time: Jun 2, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89971942298?pwd=Br6XJAbdLK3TGUX13t0fbroLo5pvUo.1

Meeting ID: 899 7194 2298
Passcode: 630355

Love and light, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Love what you do and do what you love. Passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance.”
~ David Cuschieri

“Always go with your passions. Never ask yourself if it’s realistic or not.”
~ Deepak Chopra

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
~ Maya Angelou

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
~ Albert Einstein

“Passion is so key in leading and creating excellence that I will hire passion over education and talent every time.”
~ Dave Ramsey

“Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.”
~ Jon Bon Jovi

“Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.”
~ Terri Guillemets

“Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.”
~ Isabelle Lafleche

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

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 – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

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

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 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

What a fun week and a half we’ve had with Myles here in town, music sharing, a visit from Colleen’s friend, a trip to Estes, a trip to Boulder to hear Myles play with the Jacob Jolliff Band, and just generally enjoying life together! Life is GOOD!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

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

05/24/202405/24/2024

Remembrance

May 26th, 2024

Here it is Memorial Day weekend, and for some folks it’s just a sweet 3 day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, and a good time to buy a new mattress. However, the real reason of this holiday is to honor all U.S. soldiers who have died serving their country – certainly a worthy commemoration. It also got us thinking about remembrance and honoring in general, of those that have passed before us and influenced us in significant and meaningful ways. We’ll talk about these remembrances this Sunday, followed by our monthly potluck (finally outside??). Please bring your own reusable plate if possible and some food to share.
Love and light, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
~ Unknown

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
~ Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
~ Arthur Ashe

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

“There is no death, daughter. People die only when we forget them,’ my mother explained shortly before she left me. ‘If you can remember me, I will be with you always.”
~ Isabel Allende

“The legacy of brave men and women who have fought and died for their country is the freedom we enjoy as Americans.”
~ Lucian Adams

“The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them.”
~ Czeslaw Milosz

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

Sunday, May 26th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m. with our monthly potluck afterwards. We’ll provide cloth napkins, cups, utensils, and a variety of beverages.

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 – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

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

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for our recent trip back to NJ to visit Colleen’s Dad, for Myles’ visit this week, and for a visit from Colleen’s friend, Robin from kindergarten – you’ll get to meet her this Sunday!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

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

05/09/202405/09/2024

Honoring Mother Energy Everywhere

May 12th, 2024

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday – a time to honor our own Mothers, those who may have stepped in to offer mothering energy in our lives, the Great Earth Mother, the Divine Feminine, and the nurturing, supportive “mothering” energy within all of us! Pierce Pettis will be here as our guest musician, and please remember his concert here Friday, May 10th at 7 pm – there are still seats available and we hope you can join us! Details below in the “Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest” section.

Happy Mother’s Day! Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“Motherhood means being fearless, scared, overwhelmed, in control, creative, and selfless—sometimes all at once.”
~ Seva.org

“Whatever examples of great mothering we may or may not have had growing up, we each have the chance to embody that deep, loving, and supportive energy in ourselves right now.”
~ Garrett-Martin.com

“Mother’s Day is tricky. If you’re a mother or have a mother figure in your life, you know it’s nearly impossible to distill the full importance of motherhood down to one day. The most meaningful celebrations of motherhood are found in everyday moments: an impromptu phone call that lasts for hours, that first big hug after months spent apart. You can only hear ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ one day a year, but ‘Mom, I love you’ hits home every time.”
~ AJ Willingham

A police recruit was asked during the exam, “What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?” He answered, “Call for backup.”
~ unknown

“Motherhood takes many forms. This month we celebrate the spirit of mothering: the compassion and love shown by those who have cared for us and those we care for, from mothers and stepmothers to aunts, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, and friends.”
~ Patti Smith

“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

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

We hope you can make it to this Friday’s house concert with the highly entertaining and talented Pierce Pettis! Friday, May 10th – 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 (type “Pierce Pettis” in “What’s it for?” memo line) https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Pierce on his website 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 – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

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

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

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

We are grateful for the opportunity to bring such talented artists to our concert space and to share their music with you! We are grateful for sunshine and flowers!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle

About Paths of Heart…

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

05/02/202405/03/2024

The Merry, Merry Month of May!

May 5th, 2024

Well, there seems to be more celebrating to do. Cheery May Day with its dancing, singing, flower crowns, and Maypoles was yesterday, Saturday is World Labyrinth Day (come by and walk our Paths of Heart labyrinth if you’re in the area!), and in case you hadn’t heard, Saturday is also World Naked Gardening Day!! Who knew? (Now you do!). May 5th is Cinco de Mayo (and Miss Emma’s birthday!), another occasion for parades, parties, and piñatas. I promise I will get off this kick soon, but really, who doesn’t want to celebrate May? Nature is popping with color and the sun is shining! On May 7, the sun will set past 8 p.m! Sounds like JOY might be our topic – that’s what we’re feelin’! And here’s a quick reminder of the Pierce Pettis concert on Friday, May 10th, followed by his appearance at Paths of Heart on Mother’s Day (more celebrating!). Details below. Oh, almost forgot we’re on ZOOM this Sunday – here’s the link:

Paths of Heart Zoom Gathering
Time: May 5, 2024 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83986452168?pwd=ZmFSQ2hVYldOY202S2tuZkFwZXlNZz09
Meeting ID: 839 8645 2168
Passcode: 373884

Join in the Joy, Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.”
~ Emily Brontë

“Sweet May hath come to love us. Flowers, trees, their blossoms don.”
~ Heinrich Heine

“Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can’t help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else.”
~ L. M. Montgomery

“May has come in, young May the beautiful, weaving the sweetest chaplet of the year. Along the eastern corridors, she walks. What time the clover rocks the earliest bee. Her feet are flush with sunrise, and her veil floating in breezy odors o’er her hair.”
~ Thomas Buchanan Read

“At last came the golden month of the wild folk– honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
~ Samuel Scoville Jr.

“As nature bursts into life this May, so should your creative and intellectual endeavors…your GENIUS!”
~ Dr. Tracey Bond

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

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

We have another upcoming house concert, this time with the highly entertaining and talented Pierce Pettis! Friday, May 10th – 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 (type “Pierce Pettis” in “What’s it for?” memo line) https://account.venmo.com/u/PathsofHeart. Learn all about Pierce on his website https://www.piercepettis.com/

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! See above for details and feel free to email or call us with other questions: info@pathsofheart.com or 970-484-9600.

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 – (Change in Schedule) NO Paths of Heart Gathering (Colleen’s hip surgery got moved up!)

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

Sunday, July 14th – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 21st – In Person POH Gathering, 10:30 a.m.

Please mark your calendars for the above scheduled dates!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for Emma’s and others’ help in our yard and garden as it gets harder for Colleen to do the outside chores she normally loves this time of year! We’re grateful for sunshine and flowers!

What are you grateful for today?

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
~ Willie Nelson

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
~ Meister Eckhart

“Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seekers life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.”
~ Sri Chinmoy

“Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.”
~ Eckhart Tolle