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Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Life Challenges

    How to Live Without Your Teeth, Hair or Hearing.

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    man removing dentures. He learns to live without his teeth.

    It is inevitable to have more and more losses as we age. The question is how to live without your teeth, hair, hearing, or other things you have…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How our spirituality is affected by aging

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    Our spiritualty is a result of many factors, but growing older may be one of the most important. This article looks at how spirituality is affected by aging.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to find the magic of ‘we’ in a relationship or community

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    three woman dancing as they experience the magic of we

    A reflection of the magical power that happens when people are together in relationship or community to share and to grow.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    How to claim agency in our old age

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

    How we claim agency and remain autonomous as we age is a matter of choice and something to be celebrated, regardless of disability or loss.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker responds to questions about God

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    Dekker has wisdom about God

    Dekker, a service dog whose wisdom is treasured by many people, turns to questions about the existence and nature of God with his perspective on prayers, heaven and…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    Is there a difference between aging and growing old?

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    old aging tree trunk

    Is there a distinction between aging and growing old? This brief article explores one difference.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    The Journey of Life from Womb to Grave

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    newborn on first journey of life

     We speak a lot about the journey of life, but do we ever think much about the process of travel from birth to death?  How do we get…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Creativity,  Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    What is an Ethical Will and the Steps to Creating One

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    Man hold glowing lightbulb to symbolize an ethical will

    An ethical will can leave light in the lives of your heirs through your values, life lessons and principles, shared through your writing and preservation of snippets of…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    Will you be having fun when you are old?

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    old woman having fun wearing colorful hat

    Is having fun possible when you reach a point in life where every joint aches, you can’t hear conversations and you forget everyone’s name and who is President?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    Three more lists besides a bucket list you may want to consider

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    bucket list on a chalkboard

    Besides a bucket list, here are three more lists that you may want to keep and share with friends and family before you die.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

      How to Avoid Growing Up Before Growing Old

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    never too grown up to play in the sand barefoot

    Are you confused about what it means to 'grow up?' And is it necessary to grow up as we age? A humorous look at this dilemma follows.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Creative Solutions When Walking is Difficult

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    Sitting on a walker called the 'Goat'

    When walking gets difficult it isn't necessary to give it up when there are so many creative - and fun - solutions!

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Are there any benefits of aging?

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    two white haired aging ladies on a bench discussing the meaning and purpose of growing old

    The benefits of aging can sometimes be best understood in the old vehicles we continue to drive, like the rusty Ford 150 with the odd-colored tailgate that has…

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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

    "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
  • 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
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Recent posts

  • Dekker sleeps on organ pedalsDekker Writes Again
    Dekker
  • Doctor with crossed arms delivering a difficult diagnosisWhen Life Hands You a Diagnosis— How to Receive, Accept, and Keep Living (and Laughing)
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  • Couple standing at cemetery saying; goodbye; growing whole not oldSay Goodbye Without Regret 
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Woman with questioning face wonders about sound of silence. mind readingMind Reading – Did You Ever Wish For It?
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  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabWisdom from Dekker
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