The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • 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
  • Spiritual Growth

    Hello and Goodbye – Which Do You Find Easier?

    /
    man waving hello and goodbye from a car window

    This reflection begins with seven questions to put a little light on something we spend a lifetime celebrating or agonizing over — whether ’tis easier to say “Hello”…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers More Questions About Service Dogs – Part ll

    /
    Dekker

    In this second of a two-part series Dekker answer more questions about what it means to be a service dog and explains the difference between a guide dog,…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What do technology and spirituality have in common

    /
    a woman uses her laptop computer as technology for spiritual growth by connecting with friends all over the world

    Although technology isn't often recognized for its role in spiritual, or inner, growth, this article looks at its role in spirituality as well as creativity.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to find the magic of ‘we’ in a relationship or community

    /
    three woman dancing as they experience the magic of we

    A reflection of the magical power that happens when people are together in relationship or community to share and to grow.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Spiritual practice as a path to inner peace

    /
    man stands at fork in a path in choosing a spiritual practice

    Reflections on the meanings of spiritual practice and how we find ourselves on any particular paths as we go through life.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker answers questions about service dogs

    /
    Dekker, the service dog, thinking about his answer to aging Ardis Mayo

    Dekker explains about service dogs, what they do, how they're trained and why some animals are pets and some are meant to serve.

    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

  • 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
  • older man listening to bring comfort, memoryMemory as Both Gift and Grief
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Walking away from religion
    Spiritual Growth
  • man who knows how to live fully lifts his arms to the sunsetFinding Sacred in Everyday Life
    Spiritual Growth

Ardis Mayo - The Reflective Pen © 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions