The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Creativity

    HOW TO LET A WALK IN THE FOREST INSPIRE YOUR WRITING

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    City Forest stream

    Taking a walk through the forest is one of the best ways to inspire your writing, regardless of subject matter.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    DEKKER’S ADVICE ABOUT PEOPLE PROBLEMS

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    Dekker standing up on fence

    Dekker listens to a lot of 'people problems' and offers his best advice from his perspective as a service dog.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    ALL ABOUT DEKKER, THE SERVICE DOG

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    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    Dekker, a NEADS-trained service dog "tells" about his training to become a world class dog who helps someone with a disability.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING

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    levenger fountain pen

    The importance of writing surpasses our objections to the reasons we do not write and motivates more creativity with every word.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    HOW TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS

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    A dachshund using willpower to carry a stick much bigger than he is

    Accomplishing goals is not only about to-do lists and calendars. Having the right mindset and slowing down are equally important.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving

    HOW TO CARE FOR A CAREGIVER

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    weary woman at her desk

    If there are fifty-three million caregivers in the U.S. (2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report from AARP) there must be at least that many friends or neighbors of caregivers. Are you…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    DEKKER RESPONDS TO HOLIDAY BLUES

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    Dekker the service dog reads a book

    Dekker, the service dog who has advice for humans and other creatures, gives guidance to some issues that arise over the holidays.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

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    Sleeping lamb

    Sleeping may not be the problem we think it is if we learn to sleep according to our bodily rhythms instead of by the clock.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving,  Life Challenges

    ARE YOU IN DANGER OF CAREGIVER BURNOUT?

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    Caregiving is a tough and under recognized challenge in many homes and the danger of burning out as a caregiver looms over many familes.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    DID YOU EVER WANT TO BE A WRITER?

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    writing with typewriter

    Many people have a secret desire to write, a desire that gets snuffed out by inner voices saying they do not know how. This article looks at the…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    DEKKER GIVES CATS FREE ADVICE

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    the fab four cats

    As a service dog, Dekker has begun to serve as a spiritual guide to anyone (including cats) who have questions about dealing with difficult issues in their lives.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    WHAT TO DO WHEN TERROR STRIKES

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    Girl swimming underwater

    Trapped beneath a floating raft, terror builds for a swimmer who, moments before, was enjoying a summer afternoon swim.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    TAKING A TRIP THROUGH LIFE

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    empty road going around a bend

    How we navigate through life will change, but the reality that life is a journey to new places and new discoveries will remain.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    TIPS TO MAKE LEAVING EASIER

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    man leaving and dragging a suitcase

    When it is time to leave it doesn't matter if it is a home, graduation, a relationship or a habit, leaving can be difficult. Here are some tips…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    SPIRITUAL, RELIGIOUS OR NEITHER?

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    Taking a look at spirituality and religion, the places they overlap, and the practices that support them.

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    Ardis Mayo
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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

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