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Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Dekker

    Living With a Service Dog

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    Dekker reciving a hug from Ardis Mayo

    Living with a service dog meant that I had to surrender my understanding of dogs as 'pets'. And I have had a number in my lifetime.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    The Problem of Ageism

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    An old lady wears a colorful red and yellow striped sobrero, perhaps to celebrate aging.

    There is a problem that gets laughed at too often. It is called Ageism. Aging isn't the problem. How we disparage it is.Most people I talk to about…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Why I Will Not Fight Illness

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    old lady who can claim agency lifting her hand to say stop, saying no

    Long ago, I decided not to fight illness anymore. I have more adventurous things to do that don’t leave much time or energy for fighting a battle. One…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Pawnders Death

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    dekker sleepinig

    Woof woof…Welcome to “Dekker’s page”, a monthly assortment of human questions Dekker answers with the wisdom of a Black Lab of British descent. (When he isn't s ...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Do You Believe in God?

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    symbols of faith

    Do you believe in God? And do you practice that belief in some form of traditional religion? Or, like many, do you struggle with matters of faith?Let me…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Life Challenges

    Against The Grain

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    A black dog with a yellow cap

    It takes a lot of courage to live against the grain, to follow a different drummer than all your friends or buck the council of parents to “make…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Thoughts on The Meaning of Soul Rest

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    A contemplative dog rests his chin on the sheets as he ponders the purpose of living

    I got to thinking about rest this morning. Very early! It seems that for as much as I wanted sleep last night, the sandman was working elsewhere!So exactly…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Wisdom and other Pawnderings

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    Dekker, the dog who has a lot of wisdom

    If you are a new reader of TheReflectivePen, this may be the first time you have met Dekker's and his Pawnderings. He is a service dog for the…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Finding Peace in the Darkness Before Dawn

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    Man lifting his arms in thanksgiving ion early morning darkness before dawn

    Today, I'm excited to explore a lesser-known but profoundly nourishing spiritual practice: embracing the tranquility of the  darkness before dawn

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Difficulty Sleeping?

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    sleep with a dog

    Do you have difficulty sleeping? I have had an off and on again relationship with the sandman since I was a child. I still carry this image of…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    Would You Choose Aging or Youth?

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    mans plays with grandson, aging over youth

    IF you had a choice would you choose aging or perpetual youth? Suppose for a moment that aging was completely voluntary…that you could choose to remain young, vital…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Dekker’s Wisdom

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    Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mist

    Dekker, a world-class service dog, has asked me to welcome you to his page the way he would if he met you. Don’t ask me how I will…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Listening as a Spiritual Practice

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    silouette of couple practicing art of listening to each other as they sit on a dock. Hard to do when the subject is death.

    We engage in many daily activities that would fall under the label of spiritual practice...But have you considered listening as one too?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Feed A Hungry Soul

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    sacred in the ordinary teacup; feed a hungry soul

    Are you hungry? Not in your belly, but in your soul? Soul hunger is a real thing! And chocolate isn't the best answer.As a soul care advocate, I…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker is back to work!

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    Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mist

    Welcome to Dekker’s page of canine reflections. What?! Didn’t you know dogs can write? Dogs (and cats, on occasion) are great thinkers and only need a bit of…

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • Dekker sleeps on organ pedalsDekker Writes Again
    Dekker
  • Doctor with crossed arms delivering a difficult diagnosisWhen Life Hands You a Diagnosis— How to Receive, Accept, and Keep Living (and Laughing)
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Couple standing at cemetery saying; goodbye; growing whole not oldSay Goodbye Without Regret 
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Woman with questioning face wonders about sound of silence. mind readingMind Reading – Did You Ever Wish For It?
    Spiritual Growth
  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabWisdom from Dekker
    Dekker

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