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,  Life Challenges

    What Must Die for You to Age Well

    /
    old aging tree trunk

    What Must Die for You to Age Well? There is a kind of dying the calendar doesn't mark — quiet, interior, and just as real.When did you last…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    When Everyone Is Dying

    /
    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

    What do we do when everyone seems to be dying? Lately, that question has followed me from week to week. I’ve been to six funerals in the past…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    How to Say Goodbye – For The Last time

    /
    man facing sunset with suitcase in his hand. HOw to say goodbye. pilgrimage

    How do you know what to say goodbye when someone is dying? It could be you... Do you know how or what to say at the end of…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker responds to questions about God

    /
    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…

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

    What is an Ethical Will and the Steps to Creating One

    /
    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…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

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

    /

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

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    How to be a Comfort to Someone Who is Terminally Ill

    /
    two people with clasped hands talking about death

    Comforting someone who is terminally ill calls for learning to listen, to be present, to encourage a life review, and to be vulnerable.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    When You Sit With a Dying Person

    /
    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…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    How to Leave a Legacy of Story

    /

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

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo

FREE STORYTELLING STARTER KIT

Storytelling Starter Kit

Begin writing the stories only you can tell!

Receive the Storytelling Starter Kit—free and ready when you need it.

A TIME FOR STILLNESS

A Sacred Pause
A simple space to begin your day—
with breath, silence, and reflection.

Wednesdays at 7:00 AM ET (via Zoom)
No charge. You are welcome as you are.

Register once to join anytime.

Search for topic or word

Categories

Recent posts

  • dekker sleepinig, during illness, retirement retirementDekker Reflects on Retirement
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • A pug wearing a grey sweater and enormous glasses to aid his aging vision..aged to perfectionWhat Is The Secret of Aging Well
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Is this tabby cat thinking about his belief ?80 Years of Belief
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • old aging tree trunkWhat Must Die for You to Age Well
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • DekkerDEKKER LOOKS AHEAD
    Dekker, Life Challenges

Ardis Mayo - The Reflective Pen © 2026
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions