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Ahhhh. Dog gurus, dog angel-channelers, dog healers, dog comedians. My Westie, Molly, has those same expressions on her face as she plays in the hose! It's hysterical. She won't go in water but gets sopping wet biting the hose-stream. I love your insight about "What if the universe were playing with me in exactly this manner regarding the flow of money in my business?" Ahhhh-Ha!!!!

Methinks you've come out of the karma tunnel!

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Penney! So perfectly said, as always—and in such profound timing. They really are our gurus, angel-channelers, healers, and comedians. We are so lucky for every single day with these incredible best friends, and Molly is forever in our hearts ❤️

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Oct 28, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

Super ! This would be a great New Yorker or NYT piece.

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Thanks so much Daddy-O!! That would be fun to submit something like this to one of them :)

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Oct 28, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

Ah this might be my favorite one yet! I LOVE the analogy and I love the entrepreneurial game too, for all its ups and downs and absolute uncertainty and unpredictability.

And I love Ryder! Your descriptions of your home make me so happy - the long hallway, the terrace (loved seeing it in the videos). I’ve been thinking of you and that Sinatra song you referenced - you’ve most definitely made it “there”, and I bet you’ll continue to.

But oh how wonderful to have a front row seat to the adventure and drama of it all!

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Awww, thank you Susan!!! Your comment gave me a huge smile — I was worrying that people would find it self-indulgent, all these pictures of my doggie, but seeing that you got a kick-out it just wiped that worry away! Ah yes, the "front row seat to the adventure and drama of it all" — so well said!! That's definitely how NYC feels most days :D xoxo!

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Oct 30, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

I'm so glad that I've finally got myself set up here on Substack to leave comments! I didn't find it self-indulgent at all. I was already enjoying what you were sharing as I was reading through the post, but then when you turned it into a business analogy it was like this huge delightful aha moment! Truly so delightful. The whole thing was delightful! I'm glad you didn't edit yourself. What if we just didn't edit ourselves!!???

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Yes, way to go!! Aww, thank you re: the delightful surprise / aha moment!! I'm over the moon knowing I can create that moment for you as you read :D And seriously, let this be the mantra of the year / DECADE!!! "What if we just didn't edit ourselves!!???" At least in terms of sharing truths, thoughts, works-in-progress — this one went through about ten reads/rounds of phrasing edits and little updates before going live :D

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Oct 30, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

That's funny about the editing - I love the glimpse into your writing process. And it's tricky, on the one hand the things we are tempted to hold back, or judge ourselves for, are often the things that resonate most with others. At the same time oversharing is a real thing. We just have to keep moving forward and creating with courage and wisdom (however much of either we happen to have at a given moment!).

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"the things we are tempted to hold back, or judge ourselves for, are often the things that resonate most with others" — so true, I keep re-learning that over and over! Especially if the sharing is *in service to* others, as I know you and I care deeply about. My friend Zaretta said last week that it's like running a guild, and letting people in to see how everything is made :)

On that note, you must be psychic! My next solo episode for free time is going to be on my editing process ☺️ I just need to record it . . . there's so much I want to say, and I know I'm at the very beginning of even learning how to write/edit/revise effectively!

I'm so delighted that you figured out Substack commenting, it's filling me with joy to be able to chat in the comments - just like the Life After College days 15+ years ago when I was blessed with meeting you via the very same way!!! 😍😍🙏🙏

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Oct 30, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

Yay! I will have to watch out for that episode. And so true about the commenting!! We have both come such a loooooong way since that first comment on your blog! Just incredible, really.

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Oct 29, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

Ah, Jenny! As a dog momma myself (her name is Alma, she’s a German bracco mix and I swear she makes every single day more joyful, too), this one hit a very sweet spot for me.

Reading about your adventures with Ryder always brings a smile to my lips, and the nozzle analogy is just brilliant! Also, I always admire your heartled, deeply spiritual approach to life and business - plus, to me you’re in-the-flesh proof that I’m not delusional when I dream of a certain way of doing work that feels truly purposeful while serving people (no follower-count/pushing to increase performance/scaling/traditional, capital-S Success talk involved). Yes to playing with cold water nervecitedly and practicing being present with what is, with a twinkle of aliveness in our eyes even when we panic a little (or a lot 😅) inside not knowing when (and where from) the water we *know* is in there will come out next.

❤️🐾🌈🫧🥰

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Thank you so much for this wonderful comment Claudia!! I love knowing that you have Alma with you every day too :) Your notes bring that same heart and soul to my life — it really completes a special loop being able to say these things "out loud" here, and having you receive them so beautifully. This last line sums it up so perfectly!!

"Yes to playing with cold water nervecitedly and practicing being present with what is, with a twinkle of aliveness in our eyes even when we panic a little (or a lot 😅) inside not knowing when (and where from) the water we *know* is in there will come out next."

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Oct 28, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

What a goodest boi you are, Ryder!! He's got your back.

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they are all the goodest, aren't they?! He really does :D Are you getting a puppy today?! ;-)

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Oct 28, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

So good! This essay brilliantly captures complex ideas in such an accessible way. Well done Jenny!

P.S. The image of Ryder with the bubbles is priceless, I hope you framed it! 🐾

P.P.S. George Ezra is one of my all time faves🎶

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Aww thank you Jenn!! I really should frame that bubble one! And so cool that George Ezra is already on your radar . . . I must get further clued in! Missing you in New York City!! 🗽🌇

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Oct 30, 2023Liked by ❤️ Jenny Blake

💛🗽✨🐝💛

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