The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • 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, meaning of life

    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
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    Being a Crone Isn’t a Career Choice

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    Crone

    I never thought I would want to grow up to be a crone, but then I realized it isn't a career choice. Much like the body I live…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    Aging Gratefully

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    golden retreiver with a toy in his mouth, aging gratefully

    Are you aging gratefully? Growing older is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience. Some days I think my dog understands gratefulness and aging better than I...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to take a Personal Retreat

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    woman doing yoga in open field while on personal retreat

    A retreat helps us get apart from all the noise in daily life, chatter from people around us, news, and the call of responsibilities that never end so…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Life Challenges

    How to Overcome Journaling Resistance

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    Journaling, aging and writing

    A short reflection on the challenges of developing a practice in journaling and how to overcome journaling resistance

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker’s “Pawnderings”, vol 3.6

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    Dekker A service dog with all the answers

    Welcome to Dekker’s page of wisdom and pawnderings…if this is your first visit, check out his other posts, along with some discussion about service dogs, by hitting the…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    What I Learned about God and Life from My Grandmother’s Boobs

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    old lady with agency and kind face and wrinkles

    I learned more about God, life and wisdom from my grandmother's boobs than I did from Sunday School. At the age of 10 I looked at my grandmother…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    Growing Old Gracefully: Reflections on Embracing Aging with Wisdom and Humor

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

    The more years go by, the more I realize that growing old gracefully isn't about having it all figured out. It's about keeping that youthful spirit alive -…

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • dekker sleepinigWisdom from Dekker
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • clasped hands, lonlinessLoneliness and Aging
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • two white haired aging ladies on a bench discussing the meaning and purpose of growing old, memoryThe Body Remembers
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • woman journaling to-do list and goalsJournaling as a Path
    Creativity, Life Challenges
  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabWisdom from Dekker in Autumn
    Dekker, Life Challenges

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