The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

  • HOME
  • Blog
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • Blog
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • HOME
  • Blog
  • DEKKER
  • Manifesto
  • BOOKS
  • Spiritual Growth

    Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part three, More goals

    /
    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…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part Two

    /
    manifesto of thereflectivepen part two goals

    Part two of a three-part Manifesto of TheReflectivePen is the first half of a list of goals that guide the writing on this blog.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto of TheReflectivePen Part One

    /
    a manifesto of thereflectivepen part one

            Genesis   The genesis of TheReflectivePen is a tale of collective failures and successful adventures in both writing and technology in a search for meaning and…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers a Question about Adopted Pets

    /
    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…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Five Ways You Can Find the Sacred in the Ordinary

    /
    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…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker – A Service Dog with Answers

    /
    Dekker A service dog with all the answers

    Many people have asked me how Dekker ‘writes,’ sharing his wisdom every month in English. The only words that may seem legitimate from a dog are “Woof, woof”....Learning…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges

    Five Things to Know About Grief and Loss

    /
    dog with his chin on the floor feeling grief and loss and question the purpose of living. facing an obstacle with no solution

    When you lose a spouse there are a series of expected feelings and experiences ahead. Grief, loneliness, pain, laughter, and joy are only five but worth taking a…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Learning to Sit Alone With Feelings

    /
    learning to sit - a chair by the edge of a lake

    Learning to sit is a common Buddhist practice but for this author, the road to sitting was marked by an illness accompanied by cognitive loss that did not…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Spiritual Growth

    Dekker, The Service Dog, Shares His Wisdom

    /
    Dekker, a service dog, with the author Ardis Mayo

    Many people have asked me how Dekker ‘writes,’ sharing his wisdom every month in this blog. The only words that may seem legitimate from a dog are “Woof,…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    One Thing to Know if You Want to be Compassionate

    /
    man seeks compassion

    Until I learn to be comfortable with my fear and pain, I will not hear the fear and pain behind another's defensive statements or responses, let alone respond…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging

    HAS YOUR “BEST IF USED BY” DATE PASSED?

    /
    strawberry with a 'best if used by' date

    Do you have a "Best if used by" date on your life? What if that date has passed and you find yourself still sitting on the shelf? Here…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT FEELING VULNERABLE?

    /
    man in tears

    Vulnerability helps us open the door to new connections. If only for a moment, we let our guard down and engage with people on another level.

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    MORE ADVICE FROM DEKKER

    /
    Dekker

    Dekker is a British black lab whose gifts for giving advice emerged when he sat around every day with the restrictions of the pandemic. He was born to…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    IF YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER, WHY NOT WRITE

    /
    Woman under stress chews on a pencil

    When you write, why do you write? Is it a life-long passion? A professional obligation? Or do you resist writing because, after all, you are not "a writer?"…

    Read More
    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    HOW TO LET A WALK IN THE FOREST INSPIRE YOUR WRITING

    /
    City Forest stream

    Taking a walk through the forest is one of the best ways to inspire your writing, regardless of subject matter.

    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

  • 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)
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • 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?
    Spiritual Growth
  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabWisdom from Dekker
    Dekker

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