12/3/2023
Some wise folks told me writing a weekly newsletter might be a bit much. Being the stubborn one, I brushed it off. Fast forward a few months, and I'll admit they were onto something... but let's keep that to ourselves. There's a twist on progress I'm exploring.
Turns out, it's not solely about how often you show up—it's about the preparation. Waiting for that "feeling" won't cut it. Preparing to show up, no matter how you "feel," that's the game-changer. It builds confidence.
Now, the toughest part of this weekly sharing gig? Bringing you a weekly "Spotlight." Not because there's a shortage of awesome people, businesses, or ideas, but because I’ve found not everyone's as keen on shouting about themselves as we’re led to believe. This leaves us room to be curious, prepare, and share about our people making a difference.
So, 2024 is going to see us stepping up our game. More accountability, more stories about folks you've never met, making a difference in the one life they've got.
GROUNDED
Roots - Purpose
Recently, I had a heart-to-heart with my sister, Anjali. We got into the whole, "Love what you do, and do what you love" idea.
We kicked around the vision of shaping a life around our dreams. Now, it's not always a walk in the park to groove to that tune. Hesitations pop up, and shadows lurk. We thought we once knew what we wanted, and life has challenged this “knowing”.
But, as we do.. we cranked up the music anyway. If you're in the same boat, unsure about your purpose but sensing it, how do you move forward? Where can you inject passion, even if your purpose is as clear as mud? And why bother syncing up with your instincts?
Here's the deal: It makes you feel ALIVE.
Isn't that what it's all about, anyway? Your instincts aren't just there to keep you ticking; give 'em a nod.
In a world obsessed with grabbing stuff, what if we flipped the script? Shifted focus to the intangibles—skills for a richer life, curiosities for sharing knowledge.
Learning from my sister has always been inevitable for me. Often underestimated because of her soprano-pitched voice and sweet demeanor, she refuses to settle for anything less than fulfilled. When she doesn’t see it in front of her, she looks to create it. Challenging her older brother to not only think bigger but to believe it, see it, and create it!
After this wonderful chat with Anjali, I dug into my favorite go-to newsletter, James Clear's "3-2-1", where he shared two quotes (below) that embodied our conversation better than I could.
IN THE KLOUDS
Movement - Range
Mannywellz - Magic (Island energy)
Cherub - Lyndenberries (Happy 1st Anniversary to Brianna my Suga)
Night Tales- Only If (Only if you want to)
Jorja Smith - What if my heat beats faster? (I love this whole album)
ABOVE KLOUDS
Quote - Amateur
“You say ‘amateur’ as if it was a dirty word. ‘Amateur’ comes from the Latin word ‘amare’, which means to love. To do things for the love of it.” -Mozart in the Jungle
“You must cultivate activities that you love. You must discover work that you do, not for its utility, but for itself, whether it succeeds or not, whether you are praised for it or not, whether you are loved and rewarded for it or not, whether people know about it and are grateful to you for it or not. How many activities can you count in your life that you engage in simply because they delight you and grip your soul? Find them out, cultivate them, for they are your passport to freedom and to love.” -Anthony De Mello
KLOUTY SPOTLIGHT
Questions for YOU
Today I have these questions for you - there are no “right” answers and no judgment: Feel free to answer me directly by replying to this email, it will be well received.
1. In the last 12 months, what is the moment or “thing” you are most proud of?
2. Looking into 2024, who are you most looking forward to following in their success?
3. If you had to.. which person, business, or movement from 2023 would you brag on?
4. How would you change your approach to life in the next year?
5. What would you like to see from Klouty Perspective moving forward (more of, or, different)?
