The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • BLOG
  • About Me
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • About Me
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • Dekker

    Dekker Gives Advice to People with Questions

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    Dekker gives advice

    Dekker, a service dog, gives advice to five people who look to him for words of wisdom as they struggle with life.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    When You Sit With a Dying Person

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    mystery that is revealed when you sit with a dying person illustrated by feather floating above an open hand

    How to look beyond grief and find peace while sitting at the bedside of a loved one who is dying is explained in comparison to childbirth. The joy…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Yearning and Lust as Examples of Dualistic Thinking

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    two cups illustrating black and white, or dualistic thinking

    The problem of dualistic thinking is illustrated by exploring the difference between yearning and lusting as if it were an either/or question.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    How You Can Live A Fulfilled Life at Any Age

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    how to live a fulfilled life symbolized by an orange butterfly

        What does it mean to live a fulfilled life?    When asked what it means to live a fulfilled life, Dr. Joos Meyer, a medical doctor…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    What is the Purpose of Living?

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

    "What is the purpose of living" is a question that arises several times across the lifespan and sometimes the answer is quite simple as illustratedd in the life…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker, a Dog who writes an advice column

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    Dekker, a dog who writes advice

    Dekker is a service dog who loves to write, or more correctly, dictate advice to humans (and sometimes cats and other animals).

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part three, More goals

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    TheReflectivePen part three, more goals

    This is the third and final part of the Manifesto of TheReflectivePen - Goals numbered 6-11 with a summary of all eleven goals for writing this blog at…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part Two

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    manifesto of thereflectivepen part two goals

    Part two of a three-part Manifesto of TheReflectivePen is the first half of a list of goals that guide the writing on this blog.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto of TheReflectivePen Part One

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    a manifesto of thereflectivepen part one

            Genesis   The genesis of TheReflectivePen is a tale of collective failures and successful adventures in both writing and technology in a search for meaning and…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers a Question about Adopted Pets

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    Dekker, a dog who writes advice

    Dekker is a service dog who offers advice to readers of TheReflectivePen. In this post he responds to questions about 'pandemic pets', as well as questions about death…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How to Forgive Yourself When You Make Mistakes

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    when you have taken the wrong path it is time to forgive yourself

    How do I forgive myself? ‘Going down the wrong road’ is a common expression for having made a poor choice. This happens. To forgive yourself is the challenge.…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How Do You Return to Normal After a Huge Loss

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    Is it ever Possible to Return to Normal? What is normal when life has delivered a significant blow - divorce, death, pandemic, or job loss?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Five Ways You Can Find the Sacred in the Ordinary

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    sacred in the ordinary teacup; feed a hungry soul

    This summary of five ways to find the sacred in the ordinary is offered as examples of an infinite resource for anyone thirsty for wisdom and insight.  Holding…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker – A Service Dog with Answers

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    Dekker A service dog with all the answers

    Many people have asked me how Dekker ‘writes,’ sharing his wisdom every month in English. The only words that may seem legitimate from a dog are “Woof, woof”....Learning…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Five Things to Know About Grief and Loss

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    dog with his chin on the floor feeling grief and loss and question the purpose of living. facing an obstacle with no solution.everyone is dying

    When you lose a spouse there are a series of expected feelings and experiences ahead. Grief, loneliness, pain, laughter, and joy are only five but worth taking a…

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • old aging tree trunkWhat Must Die for You to Age Well
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • DekkerDEKKER LOOKS AHEAD
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  • 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

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