What Never Changes, Even When Everything Else Does

Today’s going to be a simple newsletter as it’s been a tough week. And a little bit of a tribute to a true companion….

I made a commitment to myself to show up here every week and share something of value, something real.

And well, this week, that’s been really hard.

So I’m starting here, with a question:

Who are you when the roles you’ve identified with about yourself fall away?

Have you ever lost a job, a title, or a role in your life or business that felt like a piece of who you are?

It’s not a surface-level question. It’s one that drops deep into the core of everything, especially when life hands you an unexpected moment that makes you pause, catch your breath, or maybe even drop to your knees. 

In my writing group in July, we’ve been talking about “unshakable truths.” That’s the theme for our writing and doing videos around it. 

Let me share with you more about “unshakeable truths.” It’s one of those phrases that landed in my gut the first time I heard it, because it speaks to that part of you that doesn’t change. No matter what life throws your way. No matter what roles, titles, or seasons of life you’re in.

It’s who you are underneath everything.

I had to face that question head-on.

Last week, I unexpectedly had to say goodbye to my dog, Emma. She was 11 years old.

And for over 35 years, I’ve always been a dog mom. It was a real part of who I was. I never had kids, so I always had dogs. Since I’ve been working from home these past 19 years, I’ve always had a dog with me in my office, keeping me company. 

Emma was right there, snuggled up with me in my chair, or jumping up and wanting to say hi to whoever I was connecting with on Zoom. 

She was with me every day. Through life’s big changes. Through business growth and burnout. She was always there.

And then, within eight hours, she was gone.

One moment she was here, not eating much, clearly not herself. Next, I was sitting in the vet’s office, having to make the impossible decision to let her go. 

And just like that, I wasn’t a dog mom anymore.

In the hours and days after I said goodbye, waking up and not having to let her out, feed her, or go for a walk, I asked myself… “Who am I now, if I’m not a dog mom anymore?

That’s where my identity of who I was kicked in, and if I didn’t have a dog anymore, then who was I?

It’s so interesting and clear to me how the roles and titles we hold are so wrapped up in our identity.

They shape our days and anchor us. They create a kind of rhythm.

Dog mom. Soulful Marketer. Business owner. Caregiver. Partner. Friend.

Whatever your roles are, I know you’ve got them. We all do.

But roles shift. Titles change. And sometimes, they disappear in an instant.

And when that happens, we’re left with this hollowed-out question: what’s left?

Who am I, really? 

What’s my unshakable truth underneath all the things I say I am?

Here’s what I realized:
It’s not about being a ‘dog mom. Or  a ‘marketer.’ Or about any of the other titles or roles I’ve held.

My unshakable truth is that I love deeply, even when I know it might break my heart one day.

That’s who I am, and it won’t ever change. It’s what stays steady, even when any of the roles I’ve had fall away.

I show up fully and stay connected. It’s about feeling it all, as much as I can stand. And leave my regrets at the door.

So, what about you? Who are you really?

What’s one unshakable truth about who you are, something that would still be true even if every role or title you carry right now disappeared?

Spend some time thinking about this. It’s something much deeper. Maybe even grab a pen and journal about it.

This is an invitation to get clear on the unshakeable truth that lives underneath it all. The part of you that’s steady, even when the ground shakes.

Write it down. Say it out loud. Share it if you feel called to.

Or just hold it close tonight, like I’ve been holding mine.

Because when your titles fade, when the work shifts, when the people or roles you love most are suddenly gone, that’s when your unshakable truth matters most.

Thanks for being here with me today. For reading this. It means more than you know.

And if you’re navigating your own loss or change right now, I’m with you, hands always at your back.

Let’s keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

Because showing up, in the middle of the mess, that might just be one of your unshakable truths, too.

Before I go, check out my P.S. cuz I took this eNewsletter and turned it into a short video. Would love to know what you think. I want to connect in different ways with you and also do my best to deliver more value.

Paragraph I’m Pondering

Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” ~ Vicki Harrison

Photos: In Memory of Emma

Emma played a pretty integral role in my photo choices for each week. (She always was an  integral part of our family.) And for this eNewsletter today, I thought I’d do a little tribute to her. I’ve gathered some of my favorite pics of her over the past few years. Yeah, she was the best dog ever. (All dog moms say this, and it’s cuz it’s true. 🙂 So funny, loveable, total lapdog. Only loving life more on my lap during my Zoom calls. She so loved running in the woods off leash, swimming, being in the snow, hanging her head out the window of the car. And watching “Emma TV.”

And now that she’s gone, I’m at a bit of a loss for photos. So in the weeks to come, I thought I’d go back in the history of her 11 years on this planet and share some of those until I run out. 🙂

1. This was one of Emma’s favorite spots on the deck, looking out, being on my lap, and scratching her chest. One of her many happy places.
2. Here she is on a Zoom call with me. She’s on my lap, you can see her on my jeans and part of my boot in the pic.
3. A pic of Emma and me; she was always trying to get some licks (dog kisses) in.
4. That’s her when it had sleeted, and she had to go outside. You can see some of the ice still on her ears. She loved the cold and the snow.
5. Had to include a pic of her hanging out of the window, tongue hanging out, wind blowing her ears…
6. This was her ultimate happy place. In the morning, we’d open the curtains wide and she’d jump up there and lie in the bed, looking out the window for people and dogs. “Emma TV.” That pic was last year when our AC was broken. I closed the curtains to keep it cooler in the house. And I’d narrow the opening, and she still found a way to watch her TV.
7. One of my favorites of hers! She always managed to find a pillow to lie on in the house. This was her happy, content, and “there’s mom again with that narrow box thing in my face again. 🙂

P.S. I really appreciate you being here with me. And I also created a video on LinkedIn about this unshakeable truth, along with some other videos. I’ve committed to posting a video a week on LinkedIn cuz I really don’t like doing videos cuz I’m so not polished. Yet, I’m real, and it’s been a really interesting experience. Would love to connect with you there. 

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books Like I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

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I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

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