Reflection #22 Walk Out of the Room
The Gap Year: Reflection #22 Walk Out of the Room “Where do we begin? Begin with the heart.” -- Julian of Norwich How wonderful that I can grant myself the...
Feedback from Subscribers of The Gap Year
Feedback from Subscribers of The Gap Year Trish: My retirement after 36 years in ministry with the Church. I had gotten information that I was going to have...
Reflection #23: Time of Release
The Gap Year: Reflection #23 Time of Release by Patricia D. Brown “Out of suffering comes the serious mind; out of salvation, the grateful heart; out of...
Reflection #21 Shedding Identity
Reflection #21 Shedding Identity “We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth; and they give off a wonderful scent, which...
Feedback of The Gap Year by subscribers
Here is some feedback I’ve received on “The Gap Year” these past few months. I always appreciate hearing the reflections of others, and I’m guessing you do...
Heading to Urukundo and Mama Arlene, Rwanda, Africa
On Tuesday I, and three others, head to Rwanda, Africa to visit and work with my mother, Mama Arlene, and wonderful Urukundo staff members. While there,...
Reflection #20 Wounds of Betrayal
The Gap Year Reflection #20 Wounds of Betrayal “We need to fall, and we need to be aware of it; if we did not fall, we should not know how weak and wretched...
Labyrinth Facilitator Training Tomorrow, June 15, 2024
Tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 15 is Spiritworks' Labyrinth Training event. There are still two openings left. Give me a quick call or text if you want to...
About Julian of Norwich who is quoted in The Gap Year Reflections
Julian of Norwich was only six years old at the time of the devastating Black Death (1348-1350) which killed over half the European population. In the U.S....
Reflection #19 Letting Go
The Gap Year Reflection # 19 Letting Go “Love makes labor light.” –Teresa of Avila It’s been over fifteen years, yet my family still tells the story of the...
Reflection #18 Our Better Selves
The Gap Year: Reflection #18 Our Better Selves by Patricia D. Brown “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” --Clare of Assisi Now, at...
Reflection # 17: Shedding Identity
The Gap Year: Reflection #17 Shedding Identity “We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth; and they give off a wonderful...
Reflection # 16 People in My Life
The Gap Year Reflection # 16 People in My Life “It is love alone that gives worth to all things.” –Teresa of Avila People have come and gone through the...
Reflection #15 An Outlook on Aging
The Gap Year: Navigating Life Reflection #15 An Outlook on Aging “Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence.” –Teresa of Avila...
Reflection #14 My Physical Self
The Gap Year Reflection #14 My Physical Self “Our life is all grounded and rooted in love, and without love, we may not live.” --Julian of Norwich When I was...
Reflection #13 Time and My Body
The Gap Year Reflection # 13 Time and My Body “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of the Earth's greenings. Now,...
Reflection #12 My Intention
The Gap Year Reflection #12 My Intention Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.” -- Hildegard of...
Reflection #11 Purpose and Intention
The Gap Year Reflection #11 Purpose and Intention “We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An...
Reflection #10 This Barren Place
The Gap Year Reflection #10 This Barren Place “It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is...
Reflection #9 The Rite of Spring
The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement Reflection #9 The Rite of Spring “Thank God for the things I do not own.” –Teresa of Avila It is still chilly...
Sunday's Feedback and Comments
The Gap Year Reflections Feedback My thanks to you who send me your thoughts and reflections. Here are a few: Tricia, I think sharing feedback that you get...
Reflection #8 Identity Lost and Found
Reflection # 8 Identity Lost and Found “Dare to declare who you are.” —Hildegard of Bingen I don’t think anything hurt me more upon retirement than losing...
Labyrinth Facilitator Training June 15, 2024
Labyrinth Facilitator Training Become a certified labyrinth facilitator and learn how to unlock the spiritual practice of the labyrinth. When: Saturday June...
Reflection #7 Hauntings
Reflection #7 Hauntings “What peace can we hope to find elsewhere if we have none within us.” –Teresa of Avila I have nights when I awaken replaying, then...
A More Personal Request of You
What do tape, buttons, glue sticks, and baby clothing newborn - 3T have in common? These are items I am gathering to take with me to Mama Arlene and the...
Reflection # 6: What Now?
Navigating Life After Retirement Reflection #6 What Now? It’s been months now and still, I feel, a keen sense of disquiet. Now what? How will I spend the...
Reflection #5 Recontextualizing Life
The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement Reflection #5 Recontextualizing Life As I said in the last reflection, I am striving to recontextualize my...
Reflection #4. Life Review
Reflection #4 Life Review “Let nothing disturb thee, let nothing affright thee. All things are passing. Patience obtains all things.” –Teresa of Avila...
Reflection #3 The Next Chapter
Reflection #3 The Next Chapter “Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence.” –Teresa of Avila Here I sit coffee mug in hand at...
Reflection #2 Life in Chapters
Reflection #2 Life in Chapters “Every part of the journey is of importance to the whole”. –Teresa of Avila When my life falls apart, or stark changes befall...
Reflection #1 What's Next?
The Gap Year: Navigating Life After Retirement Patricia D. Brown Reflection #1 What’s Next? “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of...
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...