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
  • Creativity

    What Does It Mean To Be Creative?

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    An artist at work in a public area

    Creativity may not always be about making fine art or composing music. Creativity often begins as a dream and comes alive as the dreamer awakens.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Leave a Legacy of Story

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    The importance of recording your story to leave as a legacy for your descendants, based on the metaphors of a hike towards a waterfall.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Poetry

    It’s Raining

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    Ordinary rain on a window pane

    . . . Rain calls poets to pour out psalms and canticles. . . because Johnnie knows. . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    The Reflective Pen

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    Ordinary pen, book and candle

    . . . entire books remain hidden within the chamber of a pen, to spill out randomly when the pen touches the surface of paper. . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Resources,  Spiritual Growth

    Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr

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    A small handy guide for people looking for a spiritual practice of pausing throughout the day.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Poetry

    What We Miss When We Sleep Late

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    Sunrise over an ocean

    When the sun gets up before I do And showers the world with light I want to towel it off and begin again . . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Resources

    Marry Your Muse by Jan Phillips

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    book cover for review

    A must read for anyone wanting to find a creative path to spirituality.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    5 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn From Your Dog

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    Dekker reads a book

    Are you looking for a spiritual guide to lead you into a deeper understanding of yourself? Your next guru may be as close as your dog. . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    How To Catch A Slippery Thought

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    Man stan ding on rock fishing

    Occasionally a brightly colored one will break through the surface, leaping into consciousness. . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Poetry

    Wordpile

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    Ordinary woodpile

    . . . I swing my pen with confidence towards a waiting sheet of paper And listen for the thunk of ideas. . .

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Is There a Purpose to Waiting?

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    a pile of ordinary acorns

    Understanding our ultimate purpose in life is often frustrated by having to wait so long to see it manifest. If you have ever had to wait a lifetime…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    Do You Get Distracted When You Write?

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    Old postcard of writer spilling ink

    . . . My breathing slows. My eyes focus on a blank page. A dreamlike image of an old woman fleeing into the night emerges in my imagination…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Poetry,  Spiritual Growth

    Are You Prepared for Your Trip?

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    Finger pointing on map

    . . . No footsteps have walked where I walk. No one’s eyes have my vision. I hear whispers of direction from within my soul in a language…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Resources

    The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

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    Pressfield gets to the point without wordiness in this pocket sized treasure that offers space for your own reflections.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    SOME SIGNS OF BEING A CONTEMPLATIVE

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

    Did you ever wonder if you would make a good monk? You might want to know some signs that you may already be a contemplative. Here are some…

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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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