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
  • Aging

    The Problem of Ageism

    /
    An old lady wears a colorful red and yellow striped sobrero, perhaps to celebrate aging. Grace

    There is a problem that gets laughed at too often. It is called Ageism. Aging isn't the problem. How we disparage it is.Most people I talk to about…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Why I Will Not Fight Illness

    /
    old lady who can claim agency lifting her hand to say stop, saying no

    Long ago, I decided not to fight illness anymore. I have more adventurous things to do that don’t leave much time or energy for fighting a battle. One…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Pawnders Death

    /
    dekker sleepinig

    Woof woof…Welcome to “Dekker’s page”, a monthly assortment of human questions Dekker answers with the wisdom of a Black Lab of British descent. (When he isn't s ...

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Do You Believe in God?

    /
    symbols of faith

    Do you believe in God? And do you practice that belief in some form of traditional religion? Or, like many, do you struggle with matters of faith?Let me…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity,  Life Challenges

    Against The Grain

    /
    A black dog with a yellow cap

    It takes a lot of courage to live against the grain, to follow a different drummer than all your friends or buck the council of parents to “make…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Thoughts on The Meaning of Soul Rest

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

    I got to thinking about rest this morning. Very early! It seems that for as much as I wanted sleep last night, the sandman was working elsewhere!So exactly…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Wisdom and other Pawnderings

    /
    Dekker, the dog who has a lot of wisdom

    If you are a new reader of TheReflectivePen, this may be the first time you have met Dekker's and his Pawnderings. He is a service dog for the…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Finding Peace in the Darkness Before Dawn

    /
    Man lifting his arms in thanksgiving ion early morning darkness before dawn

    Today, I'm excited to explore a lesser-known but profoundly nourishing spiritual practice: embracing the tranquility of the  darkness before dawn

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Difficulty Sleeping?

    /
    sleep with a dog

    Do you have difficulty sleeping? I have had an off and on again relationship with the sandman since I was a child. I still carry this image of…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    Would You Choose Aging or Youth?

    /
    mans plays with grandson, aging over youth. legacy

    IF you had a choice would you choose aging or perpetual youth? Suppose for a moment that aging was completely voluntary…that you could choose to remain young, vital…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Dekker’s Wisdom

    /
    Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mist

    Dekker, a world-class service dog, has asked me to welcome you to his page the way he would if he met you. Don’t ask me how I will…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Listening as a Spiritual Practice

    /
    silouette of couple practicing art of listening to each other as they sit on a dock. Hard to do when the subject is death.

    We engage in many daily activities that would fall under the label of spiritual practice...But have you considered listening as one too?

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Feed A Hungry Soul

    /
    sacred in the ordinary teacup; feed a hungry soul

    Are you hungry? Not in your belly, but in your soul? Soul hunger is a real thing! And chocolate isn't the best answer.As a soul care advocate, I…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker is back to work!

    /
    Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mist

    Welcome to Dekker’s page of canine reflections. What?! Didn’t you know dogs can write? Dogs (and cats, on occasion) are great thinkers and only need a bit of…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    Aging as a Spiritual Practice

    /
    aging man with cane when walking is difficult

    How can aging be a form of spiritual practice? Many people think of ‘spiritual practice’ as attending religious services once a week, a morning devotional, or a commitment…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

STORYTELLING STARTER KIT

Receive Ardis’s weekly blog posts, occasional newsletters and get your FREE Storytelling Starter Kit!

ESPECIALLY FOR WRITERS

reflective collective

Are you tired of facing a blank page or screen when you want to write? Click on the image to join a growing and active Facebook group and receive a prompt to jumpstart your writing every day.

Search for topic or word

Categories

Recent posts

  • man sitting in bench by the ocean struggles with how to pray for your enemiesSeven Step Prayer
    Spiritual Growth
  • woman breathing upon magical lights in her hands, december declutterDecember Declutter
    Life Challenges
  • Dekker reads a bookDekker, On Wisdom, Worry and The Weight of the World
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • 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 dyingWhat Remains After Loss
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • nothing goes right - man in grief holding face with his hand Ardis MayoWhen Nothing Goes Right – Add Fertilizer
    Life Challenges

Ardis Mayo - The Reflective Pen © 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions