How it feels knowing we have the best, most beautiful, kind, and creative subscribers in the world:

I hope you enjoy today's edition and give yourself a well-deserved, few-minute break to sit down and read about some of the good in our world. We all need it sometimes!

Have a great rest of your week, and let me know what you think of today's newsletter. I love hearing from you🥰.

-Kailyn

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I release the pressure to be perfect.

College classes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about prison. But they may be one of the most effective ways to prevent people from coming back.

Research from RAND shows people who take college courses while incarcerated are 48% less likely to return to prison after release. Now, California is testing that idea in a big way.

Let’s rewind: In 2016, the state partnered with Cal State Los Angeles to offer degree programs inside prisons for inmates. Nearly a decade later, that effort has acheived a major milestone: the first graduating class at the California Institution for Women. 

Twenty women walked across the stage in caps and gowns to receive their Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Studies.

• The achievement also reflects a broader shift happening across the state.
• Today, more than 13.5% of California’s incarcerated population is enrolled in college courses.

State officials say programs like this represent a broader shift in corrections policy, one that focuses more on rehabilitation alongside public safety. Programs like this could mean fewer people returning to prison and more people returning to society with a degree in hand.

And for graduate Jennifer Henderson, the experience was deeply personal. “I chose to grow and develop my mind and spirit and empower others to live beyond any label,” she said.

Hours at a desk, on your phone, or in the car can pull your posture forward, and Pilates is designed to counter that by strengthening the muscles that support alignment. OPC brings that classical Pilates practice online with a modern, flexible format led by Lesley Logan and her expert team.

Classes build progressively to strengthen your core, improve alignment, and support everyday movement. Members can also submit videos for personalized form feedback and connect with a global Pilates community.

Wildlife photographer Terry Nunn spent 8+ hours waiting for this rare leucistic bald eagle to get close enough to photograph. And once it did, Terry was shocked when the bird launched into flight before his eyes.

“These are some of the photos I’m most proud of in my entire photography career,” he shared on Instagram. “Not because they’re perfect. But because of what it took to make them and the subject. Hope you enjoy them.”

🏠 Welcome to Avivo Village, a first-of-its-kind shelter in Minneapolis featuring 100 tiny homes for unsheltered individuals, all convened together in a safe & weather-proof warehouse. Designed to support each person’s individual journey, Avivo Village’s services aim to support the residents through personal development before they move into permanent housing.

🧠 10-year-old Honey Cooper can now add “college student” to her resume. The brainiac fourth grader is dual enrolled in a course at San Bernardino Valley College on top of her elementary school studies.

🧳 The third annual “Found Report” features some of the most unique and unexpected items found in lost luggages across the US. From a frog purse to a fully functional bionic robot: check out all the report’s wacky items.

Not only does practicing daily gratitude increase your overall happiness, but the simple practice of writing down what you're thankful for each day can have some impressive effects on your mind and body alike.

Take a peek at a few of the gratitude prompts below. Whether you write your answers down or just give them a thought, they're sure to shift your attitude to gratitude. 😎

1. When was the last time you were truly proud of yourself?
2. What is the nicest compliment someone has ever given you?
3. What is something you thought you could never do, but you proved yourself wrong?
4. What was one of the best days of your life?
5. What’s an item with little to no monetary value that holds great meaning for you?

Bread, pasta, and sweets send blood sugar on a roller coaster. Vitamin World’s Reduco Slim takes a different approach.

Its Reducose formula helps reduce carb absorption before glucose spikes hit. This means steadier energy, less hunger, and support for weight management, without having to break up with the carbs.

Welcome to “What’s Your Win?” the section of the newsletter where we celebrate all of the positive news happening right here in our DONUT community.

Big or small, there’s always something to celebrate. Check out the wins this week!

❤️ One anonymous subscriber from California is thankful for the gift of life:

• “On March 2nd I will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of receiving the gift of life - a kidney transplant. I have been so fortunate to be welcomed by my donor's family. There is so much I have been able to accomplish thanks to this incredible gift, and so much more I am looking forward to in the future. The last few years have been a bit tumultuous, however, making it to such a milestone, I know that this "rebirthday" is my biggest WIN yet this year and I look forward to celebrating many more. “

🎙️ David F from Louisiana is celebrating podcast milestones:

• “I have done one full season of my podcast, Trivia Flash, 26 episodes. Check it out here!”

🥰 Sam C from Ypsilanti, MI, is grateful to provide for his daughter:

• “My daughter has a disability and needs monthly equipment to prevent serious medical issues. The insurance company refuses to cover the equipment despite the seriousness of it. The good news? My financial planner thinks I can pay for it myself, even though I am retired, without going bankrupt in the long run. I do have to make some sacrifices to make it happen but it was still a relief hearing that.”

💸 Makenzi H from Pennsylvania is back to the work grind:

• “I finally got back to work after having a week off. Back to making that money.”

We received so many responses last week that we couldn’t fit them all in! If you sent in a win and don’t see it here, don’t fret. You’ll be featured in a future newsletter. 🤗

🌱 My friends all know I love essential oils. There’s something so calming about a diffuser in the corner filling your home with the natural scent of lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon. I have one in every room of my house! This gorgeous diffuser by Vitruvi has an eight-hour run time and is made from high-quality ceramic stone, doubling as chic decor. Level up your home wellness game.✨

🧩 Did you know...The founder of Wordle just dropped a brand new puzzle game called Parseword—and its bound to have you scratching your head. I hate to admit it’s kept me distracted from work multiple times in the last week. 😬

✨ Affiliate link. If you make a purchase, Positive DONUT earns a small commission at NO additional cost.

1. You’ll find me in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. But never Neptune, or Venus. What am I?
2. Throw away the outside and cook the inside, then eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it?
3. I have pointed fangs and I sit and wait. I have piercing force and I crunch with weight. I grab my victims, but they do not fight. I join them each with a single, quick bite. What am I?

(Keep scrolling for the answers)

I asked, you delivered. Here's why readers like you are loving What's Your Win: 

• "I didn't want to wait to let you know how important I think this section is – perhaps more important than the [positive] news presented. Culturally, we are more withdrawn, isolated, and distant, both physically and relationally, from others than ever before in human history... Stories and headlines about human kindness, creativity, positive tenacity, and joy are rarely 'sexy' enough to make the cut.
• "Ironically, these are the exact realities and examples to which we all need regular exposure...I deeply appreciate the "What's Your Win" section and highly value it for the potential good and life-giving fortification it may provide to a species and culture that is truly hurting and in desperate need of it."

Anotha one: "I love the ‘What’s Your Win’ section! It’s so inspirational. You are so very encouraging about submissions – it’s my own ‘roadblock’ that after reading them I don’t feel like my little accomplishments are worthy .. which, of course, is the whole purpose of that section!! Maybe others feel same. I hope it stays part of the newsletter.. it lifts my heart 🫶." 

A HUGE thank you to everyone who sent in feedback; I can't tell you how much it means to me! So what are you waiting for? Submit your day-to-day wins here for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter.

1. The letter "R"
2. Corn on the cob
3. A stapler

Advertise with us: Want to reach other optimistic and engaged readers like you? Become a DONUT partner here.