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Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Spiritual Growth

    DISCOVERING THE MYSTERY OF DAWN

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    Sunrise at Cadillac Mt in Maine

    Rising early enough to see the sunrise is the way to experience what is known as a 'Thin Place' where heaven and earth meet.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A PERSONAL LOOK AT RACISM

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    5 eggs balancing in a tower

    Because I live in a geographic area where there is more diversity in the eggs I eat than in my neighbors, I hid behind the myth that racial…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    HOW MUCH DO YOU MATTER?

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    How much do you matter.? How do you know?  What measure do you use to determine how much you are worth?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving,  Dekker

    A SERVICE DOG SPEAKS TO CAREGIVERS

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    Dekker standing up on fence

    My name is Dekker. I am a service dog and like many other caregivers, I devote my time and energy 24/7 to a person I love so that…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    8 WAYS TO PRAY WITHOUT WORDS

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    Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words when it comes to prayer? There are other ways to pray that do not call for using language.…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Uncategorized

    ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

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    Become part of a growing community of thoughtful readers and receive "Seeds of Reflection" from TheReflectivePen every Sunday, with links to new blog posts.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    WHAT IS MEANT BY A SPIRITUAL PATH

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    a path across a field and through the mist

    What is meant by a spiritual path is illustrated by considering some of the natural paths followed in life.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving

    WHAT IS CAREGIVER GUILT?

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    Old woman consing a weeping younger women perhaps overcome with guilt

    Few people who have cared for a loved one over many long months and years of chronic illness get through it without expressing feelings of guilt "I could…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE A CONTEMPLATIVE

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

    You may wonder why your dance in the world seems to have a different rhythm...To be a contemplative is to treasure solitude and not be lonely.  To see…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    WHAT TO DO WHEN WILLPOWER FAILS

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    A monkey gritting his teeth wishing he had more willpower

    Why does willpower fail us when our intentions are so good? Why is it so difficult to let go of unhealthy or unwanted behavior? Or take a different…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving

    LEARNING TO LAMENT, A GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS

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    Sad tabby cat

    Why is learning to lament the first task for a new caregiver to master? Because to carry grief is like toting a backpack of heavy stones. The journey becomes…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    HOW TO ACCEPT CHANGE

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    Different colored autumn leaves strung on a clothesline showing how things change with the weather.

    What is it about change that causes us to resist it so strongly? Impermanence is as guaranteed as death and taxes, but we put on the brakes and…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    THE PROS AND CONS OF DIGITAL JOURNALING

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    Slightly ajar laptop on which one can do digital journaling

    If you are deciding on what kind of journal you want to hold your thoughts and dreams, it may be worth looking at the pros and cons of…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    AGING AS A CAUSE TO CELEBRATE

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    The hands of an aging woman are clasped and resting in her lap. she wonders about meaning and purpose of growing old

    Aging is universal across time and place. We all age. The question is, are we going to quake as we age or celebrate each step along the way?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR INNER ARTIST

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    An image of a photographer in color merged onto a background of a barn in black and white, illustrating the depth of his inner artist.

    Discovering your inner artist might be something you thought was impossible. Click here for a different perspective on 'being an artist'.

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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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