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Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How to allow curiosity as a superpower for your life

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    And owl tilts his head with curiosity as to about meaning and purpose

    Letting curiosity be your superpower can lead to unanticipated consequences when you ask questions and make the answers part of. your life.

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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
  • Dekker

    Dekker Offers His Wisdom to Humans

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    Dekker has wisdom about God

    Dekker responds to concerns about wearing a mask, living with a noisy roommate, and dealing with an unfaithful wife among other questions.

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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' aging

    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

    How to be a Comfort to Someone Who is Terminally Ill

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    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.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Gives Advice to People with Questions

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    Dekker gives advice

    Dekker, a service dog, gives advice to five people who look to him for words of wisdom as they struggle with life.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    When You Sit With a Dying Person

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    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…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    How You Can Live A Fulfilled Life at Any Age

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    how to live a fulfilled life symbolized by an orange butterfly

        What does it mean to live a fulfilled life?    When asked what it means to live a fulfilled life, Dr. Joos Meyer, a medical doctor…

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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. Old pet

    "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
  • Dekker

    Dekker, a Dog who writes an advice column

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    Dekker, a dog who writes advice

    Dekker is a service dog who loves to write, or more correctly, dictate advice to humans (and sometimes cats and other animals).

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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
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers a Question about Adopted Pets

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    Dekker, a dog who writes advice

    Dekker is a service dog who offers advice to readers of TheReflectivePen. In this post he responds to questions about 'pandemic pets', as well as questions about death…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How to Forgive Yourself When You Make Mistakes

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    when you have taken the wrong path it is time to forgive yourself

    How do I forgive myself? ‘Going down the wrong road’ is a common expression for having made a poor choice. This happens. To forgive yourself is the challenge.…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How Do You Return to Normal After a Huge Loss

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    Is it ever Possible to Return to Normal? What is normal when life has delivered a significant blow - divorce, death, pandemic, or job loss?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Five Ways You Can Find the Sacred in the Ordinary

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    sacred in the ordinary teacup; feed a hungry soul

    This summary of five ways to find the sacred in the ordinary is offered as examples of an infinite resource for anyone thirsty for wisdom and insight.  Holding…

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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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