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
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth,  Uncategorized

    A Season of Grief and Thanksgiving

    /
    woman waiting, sitting with grief and thanksgiving

    His last words before he left for surgery were "Don't let me die." There was no time for a conversation about what could arise between life and death.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Spiritual Growth

    Journaling Your Way to Inner Health

    /
    woman journaling for inner health

    Journaling can be a wonderful way to increase inner health, a way to be heard, a way to forgiveness for yourself and others, or a road out of…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker’s Bone

    /
    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    Dekker, a world-class service dog offers his profound wisdom to people seeking advice and makes no excuses for his service.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is the Imposter Syndrome?

    /
    boy with painted face as example of imposter syndrome

    Imposter syndrome can be recognized by an inner voice saying "Who do you think you are?" when you are only doing what you set out to do.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    What Does It Mean To ‘Grow Up’

    /
    How old is old enough? two children on the shore pointing to the horizon.

    What does it mean to 'grow up'? Is it a matter of age or mindset? The article takes a look at how we can relive our childhood 'for…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How To Satisfy Your Spiritual Hunger

    /
    woman with outstretched arms seeks to satisfy her spiritual hunger

    When you experience spiritual hunger where do you turn to satisfy it? Many people find a fount of spiritual blessing in places like a forest path, or a…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to pray for your enemies

    /
    man sitting in bench by the ocean struggles with how to pray for your enemies

    I have a confession to make. I find it difficult to pray for my enemies - people I abhor for good reason. I even fall short of praying…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Speaks Up

    /
    Service Dog, Dekker, looking at ARdis Mayo has words of wisdom

    Do you listen to your dog or cat (or even chicken or horse) to hear what they have to say about life? Dekker will teach you how.sd

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Welcome the Feeling of Vulnerability

    /
    woman on a high swing over a steep gorge experiences the feeling of vulnerability...explore or persist

    Vulnerability - the scary feeling that arises when someone asks you to speak publically or to explain why you made a certain decision.  If you have ever worn…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What Is The Meaning of ‘Bread Broken For You’?

    /
    Ardis Mayo, soul food, spirituality

    Bread is a perfect metaphor for our bodies. When Jesus held up a loaf of bread and said "This is my body broken for you" he used a…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Closing churches and open hearts

    /
    a closed church in an open filed, an example of a closing church, open hearts

    Although the vast majority of people have hearts open to love and serve others and to grow spiritually, traditional places of worship are closing rapidly.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Dekker, a Service Dog with Wisdom

    /
    Dekker reciving a hug from Ardis Mayo

    Dekker responds to questions about the purpose of life, navigating difficulties in relationships, health challenges and retirement.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Where Do You Find Food for a Hungry Soul?

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

    Sometimes when you have a hungry soul you just want the equivalent of 'take-out', something you can enjoy from home. Here are several resources for good spiritual take-out.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    What to Say When Asked if You Are a Writer

    /
    woman's hands writing in a journal, perhaps she is owndering if she is a writer

    If you have never thought of yourself as a writer, this article may change your mind.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    How to Live Without Your Teeth, Hair or Hearing.

    /
    man removing dentures. He learns to live without his teeth.

    It is inevitable to have more and more losses as we age. The question is how to live without your teeth, hair, hearing, or other things you have…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

FREE STORYTELLING STARTER KIT

Storytelling Starter Kit

Begin writing the stories only you can tell!

Receive the Storytelling Starter Kit—free and ready when you need it.

A TIME FOR STILLNESS

A Sacred Pause
A simple space to begin your day—
with breath, silence, and reflection.

Wednesdays at 7:00 AM ET (via Zoom)
No charge. You are welcome as you are.

Register once to join anytime.

Search for topic or word

Categories

Recent posts

  • old aging tree trunkWhat Must Die for You to Age Well
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • DekkerDEKKER LOOKS AHEAD
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • Ardis in PowerchairAging Is Not a Failure of Youth
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • A monkey tries to answer questions by looking in a mirror..aged to perfection, humilityMeekness, Humility, and Growing Older
    Aging, Life Challenges, Spiritual Growth
  • Woman with questioning face wonders about sound of silence. mind reading. living the questionsLiving the Questions
    Aging, Life Challenges

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