The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Spiritual Growth

    A Retreat That Became a Pilgrimage

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    Searsport library

    Have you ever longed for a retreat but found yourself facing obstacles at every turn? What if the perfect retreat setting was hiding in plain sight, nestled within…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is Your Spiritual APGAR score?

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    baby crying APGAR SCORE

    Do you know what your spiritual APGAR score is? Is it possible to determine how fully alive you are spiritually in the same way babies are evaluated at…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker speaks

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    Ardis sits facing Dekker to listen to his wisdom

    If this is your first time visiting The Reflective Pen, you may not have heard about Dekker. He is my service dog who, during the pandemic, when there…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

     Embracing Mystery: Beyond Labels in Spiritual Connection

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    sculpture labels for name of God

    Why move beyond labels to find a name for God? Here we look at some of the well known names for God and learn why sometimes it is…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    Memoir Writing: Can You Bury the Past and Tell Your Story?

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    writing memoir

    The question, “Can you bury the past?’ surfaced as I contemplated whether to resume work writing a memoir that had been gathering dust for a couple of years.The…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    The Art of Waiting-A Spiritual Practice

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    man waiting in reflective practice, doubt and prayer

    Waiting can be more than foot tapping and annoyance. Waiting is an opportunity to nourish the soul and strengthen us for what is ahead.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Passion or Calling?

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    Is this tabby cat thinking about meaning and purpose or passion and calling?

    Is it passion or calling that drives us forward with the choices we make in life? This article explores the differences and similarities.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker responds to humans…and dogs

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    Dekker standing up on fence

    What follows is a bit of canine wisdom from Dekker, the service dog. Dekker considers questions sent to him by both humans and their pets, giving his wisdom...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    Aging and Writing

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    Journaling, aging and writing

    Is writing something that you have wanted to do, but find that the older you get, the more reasons you can come up with for not doing so?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Feed a Hungry Soul

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

    When was the last time you were intentional about feeding your soul? Did you ever feel like you have let your spiritual growth fall by the wayside while…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What Does Silence Sound Like?

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    What does silence sound like? I know that seems like an oxymoron, and when I say how important it is for me to take time to “listen to…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Writes

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    I invite you to pretend for a moment that you see paw prints, a bit of drool and some kibble crumbs on this page. Such is life when…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    Growing Old for the Fun of It

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    a stressed out dog with his chin on the floor, growing older, aging

    I often say “I am growing old for the fun of it,” but the other day I stumbled stepping off a curb and I an image of myself…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    What holds you back from living a full life?

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    boys jumping with joy begin again,living a full life

    What is it that holds us back from living the fullest life possible as we age? Most of life is about moving forward, achieving, acquiring and growing.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers People Questions

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    Ardis sits facing Dekker to listen to his wisdom

    Welcome to Dekker’s page of puppy-dog wisdom for humans who have questions. Better than a therapist, Dekker is always faithful in The Reflective Pen to hear you ...

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • Doctor with crossed arms delivering a difficult diagnosisWhen Life Hands You a Diagnosis— How to Receive, Accept, and Keep Living (and Laughing)
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  • Couple standing at cemetery saying; goodbye; growing whole not oldSay Goodbye Without Regret 
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  • Woman sitting in the power of silence on a mournain peak, stories wondering if she were religious, learning to be a human beingThe Stories We Carry
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