💭📸 Picture this: It’s May 2024, and you're laying on the beach in Negril, Jamaica, with the person you love most. You’ve already had a delicious farm-to-table meal, practiced yoga, and played a round or two of pickleball before relaxing for the afternoon on the beach.

🤔 I know what you’re thinking… “But wait, that’s only about a month away, and I don’t have any plans to go to Jamaica.”

☀️ Well, it’s your lucky day. Because we’re hosting our very first Positive DONUT Contest in partnership with The Gist, and, by entering here for free, this dream could easily become your reality. The Grand Prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril, Jamaica, from May 15–19😮🌴. We're talking about the ultimate health and wellness getaway… so what are you waiting for? 

Enter here for free and start packing your beach clothes. You deserve this.

Now, for what you've all been waiting for... Positive DONUT.

-Kailyn

🚀⏰ Ready, Set, Go: Today's newsletter should take ~3.35 minutes to read (893 words).

My thoughts are filled with gratitude and positivity. My life is plentiful and prosperous.

Back in 2021, Keith Morgan and his daughters spotted their cat batting something around outside. 

After rushing out to the backyard, they were surprised to find two baby squirrels beneath their pecan tree. They attempted to put the pups back in the tree, in hopes of the squirrels' mother bringing them up to the nest, but ultimately determined they were orphans.

Luckily, the family was familiar with caring for rodents, and already had a rabbit cage set up in the back yard. For the next two weeks, they tried to nurse the squirrels back to health after their falls. 

• They named them – fittingly – Chip and Dale. 

💪🐿 Anything for Dale... The family was heartbroken when Chip succumbed to his injuries, but they channeled all their energy into getting Dale strong and healthy.

After a few weeks, they started to let Dale out onto the porch to explore.

• “And then one day, he ran up a tree," shared Keith. "Everyone was okay with that, because the ultimate goal was to get him out on his own.”
• For months, Dale would go off and do his squirrel-exploring in the wilderness before returning home expecting treats and cuddles.

🍔 So, what's with the Whataburger house?... As Dale started to spend more and more time outside, the family decided to build him a tree house in the backyard. 

• Keith's daughter, Riley, is a major Whataburger fan. She decided to design Dale's house after the fast-food chain's locations – orange and white roof and all. 

❤️ Bottom line: It's been a few months since the Morgan family has seen Dale, but they're happy to think he's started his own squirrel life out in the wild. 

• “I miss Dale sometimes, but I think he probably moved on and I’m fine with that,” said Riley. “Our goal [when we rescued him] was that he would go back to the wild someday and have a happy life.”

+Editor's Note: This story was originally published in Positive DONUT in August 2023. It was so sweet we had to share it again🥰.

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Mikal Bridges always wanted to play professional basketball. 

And while the Brooklyn Nets small forward may have achieved his childhood dream, there's always been another career path he's considered chasing: teaching second grade. Or, put another way – his goals involve schooling people both on and off the court.

Class is in session: Mikal's dream of becoming an elementary school teacher came true last month, when he stepped in as a substitute at Public School 134 in Brooklyn, New York. 

• Teaching the young students math, English, and, of course, a basketball lesson in PE for the day, "Mr. Bridges" became a quick favorite among the kids.
• "A lot of days, [when] we're in school," the athlete told CBS News, "we're with our teachers and I think they just don't get enough credit. Because we're around them a lot, you know what I'm saying. And they help us become better people every day." 

👀 Looking ahead... Mikal hopes to pursue a career as a teacher, or even school principal, after his time in the NBA. 

🚂 All aboard... Stadler's FLIRT H2 train, which uses a combination of electric engines, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage systems to power itself, just claimed the Guinness World Record for the longest distance achieved by a pilot hydrogen fuel cell electric multiple unit passenger train without refueling or recharging – which is both a monumental mouthful and achievement.

🦔 The best intentions... When a British woman brought a baby hedgehog she rescued from the side of the road into a local animal clinic, all she wished for was the animal's health and safety. But she was understandably surprised when she realized it wasn't a hedgehog – or even an animal – that she had "rescued"😳. 

⚽️ Who's hogging the tissues? Check out this adorable moment, brought to you by the New York Red Bulls and some young soccer players in training. A true testament to kindness being contagious🥰. 

When things get overwhelming and I feel like I can't catch a break, slowing down to take a few deep breaths always recenters me.

And, whether you only have five minutes or half an hour, these meditations will help you slow down and return to yourself, too. Move over, Mario; you’re not the only one with a supercharger up your sleeve (🍄).

Prioritize yourself for a few minutes, and enjoy every second. I know I do😌.

Take your pick:

• 5 Minute Mindfulness Meditation 
• 30 Minute Guided Meditation for Mindfulness 

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It IS all about you😍.

What's Your Win is the section of our newsletter where we celebrate the good news happening right here in our Positive DONUT Community. 

I asked, you responded... Last week, I shared that we have been struggling to receive win submissions lately. Thanks to everyone who wrote back with suggestions on how to improve the section. One common theme I noticed in your feedback is that we need a why.

• Why share your wins with us? In short, you just never know how much someone may need to hear your story. Gratitude is contagious, and sharing your small moments of joy may just inspire others to recognize their own. 
• So let's jump in! Check out this week's submissions, if you are particularly inspired or touched by one of the stories, simply reply to this email and let me know. I'll share some of our win reactions next week. Let's get the gratitude circle going🌀.

❤️ Michelle M. from Yacolt, Washington, is taking care of herself more and more...

• "I've been struggling with some mental health problems lately," she shared. "I recently journaled about all the ways I've been able to make concrete steps towards feeling better. Going on walks during lunch, intentionally reaching out to my friends, being open and honest, getting as much sunshine as I can, baking goodies, embroidering, journaling... that is an impressive list!! I now have things I can point to and say to myself, "You are doing a good job!!"

💸 Sie H. from Richmond, Virgina, is moving up in their career...

• "I was offered a promotion at my job! I’ve been working there for just over a year, they asked me to work with a new team a few months ago (with a pay raise!) and my new supervisor reached out today to offer a higher position!" 

🏠 Alexandra D. from Ruskin, Florida, is making her dreams a reality...

• "I have a couple of wins to share! Me and my husband are so excited to sell our first home/buy a home where we will hopefully stay in for a long time! We are also going to start trying to have a family this year! I have had baby fever for the past year or two so this is so exciting! Soon enough we will be doing things we love and getting out of corporate America and become content creators and property owners! Here is to bigger dreams and accomplishments for everyone 🤩😊."

😍 Ella N. from British Columbia, Canada, is making moves...

• "I am getting to move into a gorgeously sunny loft (I've always wanted to live in a loft) on April 1st (and its not an April fools joke!); plus I just booked myself another tattoo that I'm very excited about."

There's always something to celebrate. Whether it be a new job, a heartwarming conversation with a loved one, crossing an item off your bucket list, or simply enjoying your day a little more than usual, we want to hear about it.

Sharing is caring... Submit your day-to-day wins with us here to be featured in a future newsletter. Who knows? Sharing the positivity in your life might inspire someone to recognize the good in theirs🥰.

Share your wins here.

(keep scrolling for answers)

👆 Check out the referral prizes you can get, just for introducing people you know to little old us. 

What to do: Copy your unique link below, then send it to anyone who you think would like Positive DONUT. Once you hit each milestone, you'll get an email with a link to claim your prize.

Start referring.👇

Hit that reply button and let me know, I read every response. Have a great week!🥰

–Kailyn

P.S. Enjoying this newsletter and want to support my work? It'd mean the world if you told a friend or two about Positive DONUT. You can even win sweet, sweet prizes for each person you refer using your unique link (found two sections above).