The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement - Introduction
The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement
OR Considering Retirement...
(If you are not in this category, would you please take a moment to send it on to someone you know who is? Thanks.--Tricia)
Patricia D. Brown
Introduction
High school graduates often take a “gap year”, an educational interlude before a career or postsecondary education, to better understand and sort out next steps. If young adults can do this, then why can’t we older adults also acknowledge the needed space to transition and designate this time of retirement as a “gap year”?
So, welcome to The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement. I've written these fifty-two short, concise reflections for myself, but think that perhaps you will find them useful as well if you are retired or soon-to-be retired.
This first year has been one of transition; the end of one chapter of life and the entrance into another. These writings are for all of us who are in a time of transitional change. It is for this unnavigated time between our previous life and what happens next.
Each "Reflection" highlights the ups and downs of daily life; what we think about and what we do. These writing will not help you with your financial planning or tell you how to downsize. Instead, the purpose of these reflections is to help you consider how you want to make a purposeful difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.
I reassure you that if you think everyone else has it figured out, you can relax --they don’t. And, this “gap year” is not a “one size fits all.” The Gap Year affirms that each path is good. Each reflection invites you to review your life story, develop reflective inner strengthening skills, put your life in order, and choose a direction for future growth.
I've also included an easy to use self-assessment tool, “Now It’s Your Turn”, at the end of each reflection. Multiple choice questions invite you to reflect on your life story, personal experiences, inner strengths, dreams for the future, and your unique way of navigating. They allow you to pause and thoughtfully consider your life’s journey-- past, present, and future. It may be helpful to keep some notes for yourself or share your thoughts with a friend. You might decide to share your observations with your book group, friends, or neighbors over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Of course, I invite you to send your self-reflections to me and I'll be happy to correspond with you. And let me know if I can share your reflections with our other readers: pdbrown@spiritworks.org
As an added bonus, four mystics of the Middle Ages, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), Julian of Norwich (1343-1416), and Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) are quoted throughout. Each lends a spiritual voice that continues to share wisdom today.
Who Am I?
My family and friends call me "Tricia", and you can too. For those who don't know me my more formal title is The Rev. Patricia D. Brown, MDiv, Ph.D. I began my working life as a pastor with the United Methodist Church in the 1970's.
In previous lives (I am guessing you also have lived many lives...) I worked as a hospital and hospice chaplain and supervisor, pastor of congregations, Director of Spiritual Formation for judicatories in Pennsylvania and Florida, and as an Associate Professor in Seattle.
Perhaps you have one of my books on your shelf ; Heart to Heart, Spirit Gifts, Learning to Lead from Your Spiritual Center, and 365 Affirmations for Hopeful Living. My favorite continues to be Paths to Prayer: Explore 40 Ways to Pray from 2000 Years of Christian Tradition with Jossey Bass, John Wiley and Sons. Because of these books I am, from time to time, invited to keynote or lead/facilitate a workshop, retreat or seminar.
Currently I continue under the umbrella of the nonprofit Spiritworks Inc. (501c3) in Pittsburgh, PA. Closest to my heart is supporting Mama Arlene (my 93-year-old mother) and the over 1200 primary school children of the Urukundo School in Rwanda, Africa as well as the other work of the Foundation. www.hopemadereal.org.
Pittsburgh is now my new home area. These days I find myself officiating funerals and weddings, helping with ritual-inspired community events, and volunteering at the local library and food bank. For fun my spouse Dale and I join in adventures with our two sons, their wives, and three young grandchildren.
To see more of what I am up you can check out: www.spiritworks.org.