Reflection #60 Commitment to Ourselves
The Gap Year: Reflection #60 Commitment to Ourselves Commitment to ourselves is important. To make our commitment we can ask ourselves, “what is the most...
The Gap Year
103??? Reflection #59 Counting the Years Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than ten...
The Gap Year Feedback
The Gap Year Feedback: My thanks to all of you who read and offer your reflections to me and other readers. Here is the feedback you’ve sent these past few...
Reflection #57 Regrets
The Gap Year: Reflection # 57 Regrets Part of me is comforted by knowing that my story and life is not unique. But another part still wants to believe my...
Reflection #56 Forgo the Drama
The Gap Year: Reflection #56 Forgo the Drama “God save us from gloomy saints!”― St. Theresa of Avila Now, in these later years, I see more clearly who I am...
Reflection #55 Harvesting
The Gap Year: Reflection #55 Harvesting “We cannot live in a world interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a hope. ― Hildegard of Bingen...
Reflection # 54 A Life Waiting
The Gap Year: Reflection # 54 A Life Waiting “The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.” ―...
Reflection #53 Building Bridges
The Gap Year: Building Bridges We shall awaken from our dullness and rise vigorously toward justice. -- Hildegard of Bingen Erik Ericson, in his classic work...
Reflection #51 Aging and the Media
The Gap Year: Navigating Life's Transitions “Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow.” --Clare of Assisi There are images...
Leaving META - Hello Bluesky
Leaving Meta Platforms – I’m saying goodbye to all Meta Platforms for obvious reasons. I’ll truly miss seeing many of my friend’s quick updates,...
Reflection #50 The Toxic Myth of Hard Work
The Gap Year: Life in Transition “Love turns work into rest.” ― Teresa of Avila In religious institutions, where I worked, and the medical community, in...
Feedback from Readers
I truly appreciate our conversations. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt reflections. Reflection #49 My Body Feel more aches & pains, affected by the...
Reflection # 49 My Body
The Gap Year“Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep....
Reflection #48 Death and Love
Life Transitions (The Gap Year) “Love that does not know of suffering is not worthy of the name.” –Clare of Assisi You’ve probably noticed that I’ve not yet...
Reflection #47 Learning to Let Go
Carnegie Museum of Art In this house, all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, and all must be helped. --Teresa of Avila As a hospice...
Reflection #45 Simple Lessons
“I admonish and exhort all my sisters, both those present and those to come, to strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility, and poverty.”...
Feedback from subscribers to The Gap Year
My thanks to all who write sharing your wisdom with me. Now, I share it with others. We are not alone… Jan 8, 2025 Reflection # 43 A New Year What beautiful...
Reflection #43 A New Year
“Because the way and path is difficult and the gate through which one passes and enters to life is narrow, there are both few who walk it and enter through...
Reflection #44 Epiphany!
Part of the terror is to take back our listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.” ― Hildegard of Bingen Again this year, as always, the...
The Gap Year
Reflection #46 Beginner’s Mind Nothing great is ever achieved without enduring much. -- Catherine of Siena We’ve come to the end of 2024, and 2025 is just...
Reflection #41 Creeping Entitlement
The Gap Year, by Patricia D. Brown Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. --Clare of Assisi I’ve been convicted of the sin of entitlement. I...
Reflection #42 Holiday Cool
The Gap Year: Reflection # 42 Holiday-Cool “May neither bitterness nor a cloud of sadness overwhelm you.” –Clare of Assisi Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We are...
Reflecton #40 The Gap Year: Living With Passion
Reflection # 40 Living With Passion “May you go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly, on the path of prudent happiness.” --Clare of Assisi I want to...
Feedback from Subscribers to The Gap Year
Reflection on Cleaning House and Right-Sizing: Just got rid of a large amount of things at the church that the secretary had inappropriately (and without...
Reflection #53 Building Bridges
The Gap Year: Reflection #53 Building Bridges Patricia D. Brown We shall awaken from our dullness and rise vigorously toward justice. -- Hildegard of Bingen...
Spiritworks Winter Solstice 2024 Celebration
Winter Solstice Celebration. Saturday, December 21, 2024 5:00-8:00 p.m. - Join Penn Forest, together with sponsor Spiritworks, for a Winter Solstice Time of...
Reflection #39 Shifting Gears
The Gap Year by Patricia D. Brown Reflection # 39 Shifting Gears “The work you have begun so well, complete it!” --Clare of Assisi In this gap year, humility...
Process for Lectio Cogitatio with Groups
Grief Resource Exhibit Interactive Presentation October 26, 2024 Patricia D. Brown, MDiv. PhD. Lectio Cogitatio (Reflective Reading)is an interactive process...
Bereavement Grief Resource Event
This Saturday, October 26, I am one of the presenters at the Pittsburgh Bereavement Network's Regional Grief Resource Exhibit. The event is 9:00 - 3:00. At...
Reflection #34 Marriage (Redux)
The Gap Year: Navigating Life in Times of Transition Reflection # 34 Marriage (Redux) “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” –Clare...
Reflection #38 Grandparenting
The Gap Year: Reflection #38 Grandparenting “I admonish and exhort all my sisters, both those present and those to come, to strive always to imitate the way...
Speaking Sunday, Oct. 20 in State College
Letting you know that I will be at Park Forest Village UMC, State College, next Sunday morning, October 20. During the message/talk We will be live-streaming...
Reflection #36 Offering What I Can
The Gap Year: Reflection #36 Offering What I Can “May the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.” –Clare of Assisi Retirement is not...
Reflection #35 Things and Stuff
The Gap Year: Navigating Life in Transition by Patricia D. Brown Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you. –Clare of Assisi Some years...
Reflection #33 Higher Aspirations
There is more value in a little study of humility and a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world. –Teresa of Avila When considering what one...
Reflection # 32 Expectations
The Gap Year: Reflection #32 Expectations Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. –Clare of Assisi I’ve been through a lot: saying goodbye,...
Sunday, October 6th Blessing of the Animals & Remembrance Service for Beloved Pets
Reflection #31 Leisure and Contentment
The Gap Year: Reflection #31 Leisure and Contentment —Patricia D. Brown “May you go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly on the path of prudent...
Reflection #30 Living More Lightly
The Gap Year: Living More Lightly - by Patricia D. Brown Glance at the sun. See the moon and stars. Gaze at the beauty of the green earth. Now think.--...
Reflection #28 Missing the Mark
The Gap Year: Reflection #28 Missing the Mark —Patricia D. Brown “Everything that is in the heavens, on earth, and under the earth is penetrated with...
Feedback from subscribers of The Gap Year
Again, you’ve shared excellent insights and wisdom from your own lives. As promised, I am now sharing these with you. (You’ll note that I place three dots…...
Reflection #37 Holding the Field
The Gap Year: Reflection #37 Holding the Field Patricia D. Brown “Let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.” --Clare of Assisi...
Feedback from Subscribers of The Gap Year
Hello Reader, I received some thoughtful wise responses from you this past week. Here are their reflections for you to now reflect upon. Warmly, Tricia...
Reflection # 27 Friendship
The Gap Year: Reflection #27 Friendship “Let the tongue of the flesh be silent when I seek to express my love for you, and let the tongue of the Spirit...
Reflection #26 Taking Inventory
The Gap Year: Reflection #26 Taking Inventory Patricia D. Brown “It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not always be the...
Feedback from Subscribers of The Gap Year
Reflection #25 Feeling Old: Thanks for sharing. I feel the same way. Some days I'm full of energy and feel good; however the next day I feel my age. My...
Reflection #25 Feeling Old
The Gap Year: Reflection #25 Feeling Old “Like billowing clouds, like the incessant gurgle of the brook, the longing of the spirit can never be stilled.”...
Feedback from Gap Year Subscribers
My thanks to you who send me your thoughts and reflections. Here are a few: Yes ...another timely Reality Check Tricia! I didn't know of the leg break, but...
Article in July Issue of UMC Discipleship
Planning a Meaningful Service in Times of Grief BY PATRICIA D. BROWN In times of grief, we turn to the church to seek solace in services and ceremonies that...
Reflection #24. Falling
The Gap Year: Reflection #24 Falling by Patricia D. Brown “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road.” – Clare of Assisi I was walking outside a...