The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT ME
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT ME
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT ME
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • Dekker

    Dekker Shares His Observations About People

    /

    Woof Woof!! My name is Dekker, and once a month I get to share my observations about people's behavior and answer questions that readers (and sometimes their pets)…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    When Technology, Spirituality, and Religion Each Call

    /
    hands holding a prayer book and cell phone - technology, spirituality and religion meet

    Sometimes we feel a call from technology, religion, and spirituality at the same time. Religions, as well as spiritual practices, are not right for everyone. I didn’t always…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth,  Uncategorized

    A Season of Grief and Thanksgiving

    /
    woman waiting, sitting with grief and thanksgiving

    His last words before he left for surgery were "Don't let me die." There was no time for a conversation about what could arise between life and death.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Spiritual Growth

    Journaling Your Way to Inner Health

    /
    woman journaling for inner health

    Journaling can be a wonderful way to increase inner health, a way to be heard, a way to forgiveness for yourself and others, or a road out of…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker’s Bone

    /
    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    Dekker, a world-class service dog offers his profound wisdom to people seeking advice and makes no excuses for his service.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is the Imposter Syndrome?

    /
    boy with painted face as example of imposter syndrome

    Imposter syndrome can be recognized by an inner voice saying "Who do you think you are?" when you are only doing what you set out to do.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    What Does It Mean To ‘Grow Up’

    /
    How old is old enough? two children on the shore pointing to the horizon.

    What does it mean to 'grow up'? Is it a matter of age or mindset? The article takes a look at how we can relive our childhood 'for…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How To Satisfy Your Spiritual Hunger

    /
    woman with outstretched arms seeks to satisfy her spiritual hunger

    When you experience spiritual hunger where do you turn to satisfy it? Many people find a fount of spiritual blessing in places like a forest path, or a…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to pray for your enemies

    /
    man sitting in bench by the ocean struggles with how to pray for your enemies

    I have a confession to make. I find it difficult to pray for my enemies - people I abhor for good reason. I even fall short of praying…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Speaks Up

    /
    Service Dog, Dekker, looking at ARdis Mayo has words of wisdom

    Do you listen to your dog or cat (or even chicken or horse) to hear what they have to say about life? Dekker will teach you how.sd

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Welcome the Feeling of Vulnerability

    /
    woman on a high swing over a steep gorge experiences the feeling of vulnerability...explore or persist

    Vulnerability - the scary feeling that arises when someone asks you to speak publically or to explain why you made a certain decision.  If you have ever worn…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What Is The Meaning of ‘Bread Broken For You’?

    /
    Ardis Mayo, soul food, spirituality

    Bread is a perfect metaphor for our bodies. When Jesus held up a loaf of bread and said "This is my body broken for you" he used a…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Closing churches and open hearts

    /
    a closed church in an open filed, an example of a closing church, open hearts

    Although the vast majority of people have hearts open to love and serve others and to grow spiritually, traditional places of worship are closing rapidly.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Dekker, a Service Dog with Wisdom

    /
    Dekker reciving a hug from Ardis Mayo

    Dekker responds to questions about the purpose of life, navigating difficulties in relationships, health challenges and retirement.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Where Do You Find Food for a Hungry Soul?

    /
    a man walks a labrynth, perhaps he is looking to feed a hungry soul. Ardis Mayo, meaning of life

    Sometimes when you have a hungry soul you just want the equivalent of 'take-out', something you can enjoy from home. Here are several resources for good spiritual take-out.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

STORYTELLING STARTER KIT

Receive Ardis’s weekly blog posts, occasional newsletters and get your FREE Storytelling Starter Kit!

ESPECIALLY FOR WRITERS

reflective collective

Are you tired of facing a blank page or screen when you want to write? Click on the image to join a growing and active Facebook group and receive a prompt to jumpstart your writing every day.

Search for topic or word

Categories

Recent posts

  • aging and illness, aging gracefullyThe Myth of Aging Gracefully
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mistDekker on Ice Fishing
    Dekker
  • Finding one clock out of many, chronus timeTwo Kinds of Time
    Life Challenges, Spiritual Growth
  • man facing sunset with suitcase in his hand. HOw to say goodbye. pilgrimageThe Pilgrimage of Aging
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • this Boston terrier knows how to procrastinate with syle with his chin on the arm of the sofaHave You Practiced Yet?
    Life Challenges

Ardis Mayo - The Reflective Pen © 2026
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions