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
  • Creativity

    What to Say When Asked if You Are a Writer

    /
    woman's hands writing in a journal, perhaps she is owndering if she is a writer

    If you have never thought of yourself as a writer, this article may change your mind.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    How to Live Without Your Teeth, Hair or Hearing.

    /
    man removing dentures. He learns to live without his teeth.

    It is inevitable to have more and more losses as we age. The question is how to live without your teeth, hair, hearing, or other things you have…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker on the Subject of Aging

    /
    Dekker

    Dekker adds his 'woof wisdom' to the questions that people have about growing older.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    How to be a Writer Begins with a First Draft

    /
    a typewriter showing the words "the best way is just to start' as guidance on how to write ardis mayo

    Have you ever stared at a blank piece of paper wanting to write the first draft of something important and nothing happens?  Your brain goes blank, you put…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth,  Uncategorized

    Do You Let The Fear of Missing Out Control Your Life?

    /
    a cat with with a fear of missing out leaning out a window Ardis Mayo, the stories we tell ourselves too late

    The term FOMO, fear of missing out, describes the anxiety that arises with thoughts that there may be a better, more fulling experience than we are having right…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Where to look when you want to find God

    /
    boy looks through binoculars to find god,Ardis Mayo

    Where do you look when you want to find God? Is it a place? Perhaps a state of mind? In others or in nature? Join with the author's…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Live Fully and Get the Most Out of Life

    /
    man who knows how to live fully lifts his arms to the sunset

    But what does it mean to live fully? And how can we achieve it? here are five tips for living a full life that includes purpose, faith, risks,…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Spiritual Growth

    Dekker Speaks Out About God and Prayer

    /
    Dekker with Ardis Mayo

    Dekker weighs in on question asked by people who

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How our spirituality is affected by aging

    /

    Our spiritualty is a result of many factors, but growing older may be one of the most important. This article looks at how spirituality is affected by aging.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    What is the Value of Failure

    /
    man holds hands to face in shame for not knowing the value of failure

    When we count all of our assets toward the end of life, we don't want to forget the value of failure that has given us seeds of wisdom…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Spiritual Growth

    How to Hear Music as Metaphor for Life

    /
    music as metaphor

    How music is a metaphor for a life orchestrated in melody, rhythm, and silence.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker offers advice about birdfeeders and Covid

    /
    Dekker

    Dekker, the service dog who shares his wisdom with people, once again offers advice to people, this time about birdfeeders, Covid, and more.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Why Tiny Things Matter Most in Life

    /
    yellow flower as example of a tiny thing held in cupped hands, gardening prayer

    It is hard to grasp that tiny things can make the biggest impact on our lives. Little details are essential in achieving long-term goals.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Two ways you can begin practicing for death today

    /
    embracing stone statue to depict practicing for death...or joy in difficult times

    We find the strength for accepting death when we have been showing hospitality to death all along. This article lays out two ways to do this.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is the Meaning and Purpose to Life as we Age

    /
    leaves on a branch as an icon of the meaning and purpose to life growing old

    Does the meaning of life change as we age? I wonder if our purpose is embedded within our body and soul when we are born and then we…

    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