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,  Spiritual Growth

    How to see creativity and spirituality as a matched set

    /
    creativity and spirituality considerthrough the images of a clear round crystal ball before trees

    Is there a difference between creativity and spirituality and do they influence each other in our everyday lives?

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    Will you be having fun when you are old?

    /
    old woman having fun wearing colorful hat

    Is having fun possible when you reach a point in life where every joint aches, you can’t hear conversations and you forget everyone’s name and who is President?

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    Three more lists besides a bucket list you may want to consider

    /
    bucket list on a chalkboard

    Besides a bucket list, here are three more lists that you may want to keep and share with friends and family before you die.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How to allow curiosity as a superpower for your life

    /
    And owl tilts his head with curiosity as to about meaning and purpose

    Letting curiosity be your superpower can lead to unanticipated consequences when you ask questions and make the answers part of. your life.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

      How to Avoid Growing Up Before Growing Old

    /
    never too grown up to play in the sand barefoot

    Are you confused about what it means to 'grow up?' And is it necessary to grow up as we age? A humorous look at this dilemma follows.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Offers His Wisdom to Humans

    /
    Dekker has wisdom about God

    Dekker responds to concerns about wearing a mask, living with a noisy roommate, and dealing with an unfaithful wife among other questions.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Creative Solutions When Walking is Difficult

    /
    Sitting on a walker called the 'Goat' aging

    When walking gets difficult it isn't necessary to give it up when there are so many creative - and fun - solutions!

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    How to be a Comfort to Someone Who is Terminally Ill

    /
    two people with clasped hands talking about death

    Comforting someone who is terminally ill calls for learning to listen, to be present, to encourage a life review, and to be vulnerable.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Are there any benefits of aging?

    /
    two white haired aging ladies on a bench discussing the meaning and purpose of growing old, memory

    The benefits of aging can sometimes be best understood in the old vehicles we continue to drive, like the rusty Ford 150 with the odd-colored tailgate that has…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Gives Advice to People with Questions

    /
    Dekker gives advice

    Dekker, a service dog, gives advice to five people who look to him for words of wisdom as they struggle with life.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    When You Sit With a Dying Person

    /
    mystery that is revealed when you sit with a dying person illustrated by feather floating above an open hand

    How to look beyond grief and find peace while sitting at the bedside of a loved one who is dying is explained in comparison to childbirth. The joy…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Yearning and Lust as Examples of Dualistic Thinking

    /
    two cups illustrating black and white, or dualistic thinking

    The problem of dualistic thinking is illustrated by exploring the difference between yearning and lusting as if it were an either/or question.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    How You Can Live A Fulfilled Life at Any Age

    /
    how to live a fulfilled life symbolized by an orange butterfly

        What does it mean to live a fulfilled life?    When asked what it means to live a fulfilled life, Dr. Joos Meyer, a medical doctor…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is the Purpose of Living?

    /
    A contemplative dog rests his chin on the sheets as he ponders the purpose of living. Old pet

    "What is the purpose of living" is a question that arises several times across the lifespan and sometimes the answer is quite simple as illustratedd in the life…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker, a Dog who writes an advice column

    /
    Dekker, a dog who writes advice

    Dekker is a service dog who loves to write, or more correctly, dictate advice to humans (and sometimes cats and other animals).

    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

  • birthday cake with candles - agingLearning to Live at Sixty – A Reflection on Aging
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Dekker’s Thoughts About Legacy
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • people in a restaurant eating. dopamineDecember Dopamine
    Uncategorized
  • man sitting in bench by the ocean struggles with how to pray for your enemiesSeven Step Prayer
    Spiritual Growth
  • woman breathing upon magical lights in her hands, december declutterDecember Declutter
    Life Challenges

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