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Hello to you, and welcome to Tuesday.
A BIG thank you to everyone who sent an email in response to the official Positive DONUT launch last week. I’ve loved working on the newsletter on my own, but knowing you all enjoy it too means the world !
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If you have any suggestions or feedback moving forward, don’t be afraid to hit that reply button. Have an amazing rest of your week. 🤗
–Kailyn
⏰🚀 Ready, Set, Go: Today’s newsletter takes 4.11 minutes to read.
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✨ This Week's Mantra
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I breathe in relaxation, I breathe out tension. I choose to release the past and look towards all the good that awaits me.
The reason behind this section: Mantras and affirmations have incredible effects on the human mind. These short, simple phrases - whether spoken aloud or meditated on throughout the day - can greatly affect your subconscious. When done regularly, affirmation practices can:
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Help with problem solving
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Reduce stress and anxiety
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Improve overall confidence
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Increase dopamine levels and positive emotions
+Note: We’ll feature a new mantra in each newsletter to repeat throughout your week.
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👏 The Sweet Spotlight
💰💘 The Kindness Yard Sale
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Image: Theresa Vargas via the Washington Post
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🎁 Susan Thompson-Gaines is a Northern Virginian woman with a heart for paying it forward. Her “Kindness Yard Sale” is a two day event with a lofty goal of raising funds to provide acts of kindness for an entire year.
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Pay what you can… Susan and her husband David set up shop in their quaint front yard last week with a huge array of odd items.
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From a teddy bear the size of a human to a vintage Fisher-Price record player, the sale had passers-by wandering through hundreds of items trying to find their next treasure.
The best part ? Nothing was labelled with a price. It’s simply “pay what you think is right.”
🤗 The power of generosity... All of the money raised from the sale will go toward this year’s acts of kindness, providing aid and a smile to those who need it. With the Kindness Sale funds last year, Susan and David were able to:
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Fund a camping trip for a young boy who had never left the city.
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Keep a food pantry stocked for the community.
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Pay for a woman’s DMV fees while she worked to get her deceased father’s car transferred to her name.
They also hosted events for all ages, throwing a virtual beach party for nursing home residents and setting up Santa’s Workshop in their yard for over 100 children to meet St. Nick.
💸⏩ Paying it forward: This year marks the third annual Kindness Sale, and now the entire community chips in, donating old toys and knick-knacks to sell from all over town. While the items may not have a set price, most people are more than generous in helping fund the cause for kindness.
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"I am a vigorous advocate of KINDNESS!" shared Susan, "I hunt for it. I appreciate it. And, whenever I can, I SPREAD IT!"
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📸 Pic of the Week
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Image: AirBnb |
🍯 Grab your hunny pot… This Bearbnb recently opened in East Sussex, UK – and it’s an exact replica of Pooh Bear’s famous home in the Hundred Acre Wood.
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🤗🍩 DONUT Holes...
Here you’ll find other positive stories from this week, as well as some resources to help us all make the world just a little bit sweeter.
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🍼Deep (baby) breaths… We could all learn a lesson from this sweet two year old practicing her mantras ! Warning: the cuteness overload may be too much to handle.
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🔥 Fire away… Firefighters in Northern California have been working around the clock to protect the historic sequoia trees from potential wildfires- including wrapping the massive tree trunks in foil blankets.
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❤️ Karma for Cara is a nonprofit organization honoring Cara Becker, who passed away from leukemia at only 21. The organization aims to inspire young people by awarding microgrants to youth who are spearheading service projects in their communities. Check out how to apply or support their cause here.
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🧠 Mindfulness Moments...
According to Jonathan Fields, author of How to Live a Good Life, “Gratitude has been hailed as one of the most universally effective mindset boosters and happiness enhancers on the planet.”
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Whether it’s a daily journaling exercise, taking a gratitude walk, or talking about what you’re grateful for with family and friends, check out these 10 Ways to Practice Gratitude in your day-to-day life.
+If you take nothing else away from this newsletter: Try some gratitude practices. I’ve witnessed its amazing benefits firsthand over the last ten years.
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🎬🍿🎥 Just for Fun: Rec of the Week
The movies are open and almost back to pre-pandemic operations here in New York City !
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I went this past weekend and had such a great time ordering popcorn, candy, and settling into the comfy recliner seats for a few hours. There’s just something different about watching a movie in the theater rather than at home on the couch.
This week’s rec: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and I can't recommend it enough. Even if you’ve never seen a Marvel film before, this one is definitely worth the watch. From the plot line to the special effects to the gorgeous cinematography, it was stunning.
Have you seen it yet ? Mash that reply button and let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
🎁 TL;DR: If you haven't yet seen Shang-Chi... GO.
+Bonus: Behind the movie's legendary opening weekend performance.
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🏆 What’s Your Win ?
It's your time to shine.
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Each week, we’re asking YOU, our amazing readers, to submit your everyday wins and accomplishments. Whether it be as big as a new job or an engagement, or as simple as trying out an amazing new recipe, we want to hear what you're proud of.
🥁 Drumroll, please...
Sarah F. from Ohio could’ve daaaanced all night. 💃
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“I got to go to my first ever Homecoming dance this past weekend!” she shared, “My boyfriend and I were unable to go last year, but we had tons of fun this year at his school. I got to meet all his friends, and we had a great time!”
Eileen M. in New Jersey… Do you want to make a road trip to Brooklyn to bring me a cupcake ? 😉
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“After a stressful Monday, I made some cookie butter cupcakes that came out delicious!!” said Eileen, “Baking calms me down, and it was a good dose of instant gratification to make something and enjoy it within a few hours :)”
YUM !!!
+I WANT TO HEAR YOUR WINS (yes, including you): Use this Google form to share what you're proud of or grateful for recently. A few responses will be featured in next week's newsletter !
Submit your wins.
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