Happy Tuesday and welcome back to another edition of Positive DONUT. Here’s how I feel knowing we’re hitting your inbox:

Take this email as your weekly reminder to sit back, breathe deep, and remember the small joys all around you. Whether you’ve been here for years, or this is your first time reading, thanks for being here.

Have a fantastic week! 🥰

—Kailyn

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Everything I lose creates space for everything I need.

Jamie Lee Matthias is a self-proclaimed 'hilariously bad' artist.

Which is a funny declaration for someone making thousands of dollars from their artwork.

Let’s rewind: Two years ago, Jamie painted a family portrait for his wife for her birthday. The gag-gift was supposed to make her laugh and nothing more, but when she posted the painting online, it quickly racked up thousands of likes and comments. Turns out, Jamie’s art was so bad that it was good.

Ever since, Jamie has been inundated by requests from people hoping to score one of his originals, receiving hundreds of family photos for him to turn into “terrible” versions.

Jamie is running with the idea. The dad-of-three sometimes paints for 5+ hours a day to keep up with his commissions, managing his art business alongside a full time managerial career. His kids keep him humble, though, making sure their dad never forgets just how bad his paintings really are.

• “My kids say the paintings are terrible,” he jokes. “[But] you know what kids are like, they speak the truth. But deep down I know they love it. It’s colorful and fun.”
• To date, Jamie has received 430+ commissions from 12 countries. He’s also started teaching local art classes.

His advice to aspiring artists, terrible or not: "Just pick up the brush."

Your brain just…grabs onto things. A random thought, a moment from earlier, something small. Next thing you know, you’ve gone ten steps deep and your focus is gone.

Mindful helps you catch it before it drains your energy.

These expert-led 12 minute sessions that guide your attention so you’re not stuck following every thought that pops up. No more ‘figuring it out’ or forcing anything. It gives you simple ways to stay present with what matters and move on from what doesn’t

This is your moment to take control.

More than 680 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors donned dinosaur costumes earlier this month to celebrate the University of Calgary’s 60th anniversary.

• The school had hoped to break a world record in honor of the occasion, and looked to its mascot, “Rex O’saurus,“ for inspiration.
• They ended up breaking the previous Guinness World Record for largest gathering of people dressed as dinosaurs by 200+ people.

🌳 It’s pretty well known that spending time outdoors can help improve your mood and mental health. But a recent study by Arizona State University looked deeper at how a true connection to nature can fuel our overall well-being (spoiler alert: it’s a lot).

❤️ Before Frank Ozimek passed away from cancer, he asked his younger brother Ken for one dying wish: to make sure his hospice nurses were fed and cared for on Easter. Local restaurant owner Tommy Milani stepped up to the plate, postponing his own holiday plans to send a hot lunch to the entire staff at the hospice facility.

📚 Thousands of teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District received an email earlier this month that they first wrote off as spam. But as it turns out, an anonymous donor was giving away $1.6 million to the school district in the form of ~$250 gifts to every single educator.

If you've been around for a while, you know I'm a big advocate for mindfulness practices, with journaling being one of my faves.

But I have to be honest with you, Positive fam. My life has been crazy lately between two jobs, a ten-month-old, and just day-to-day life, causing me to fall off the mindfulness wagon. 

Luckily my journal is always there for me. The other night I picked it up and spent a few minutes reflecting and writing down whatever came to mind. And lo and behold, I felt much more centered and grounded by the end.

Here's the point: You, too, can experience the great and powerful magic that is journaling. So whether you're a daily journaler or have fallen out of practice (guilty!), grab a pen and paper—or the notes app—and reflect on some of the prompts below:

1. What are you particularly grateful for lately? How can you invite more of these things into your life?
2. What have you been struggling with lately? How can you continue to work through that and/or ask for support?
3. Describe your perfect day.
4. What are some of your goals as we move into the spring and summer seasons?
5. Hype yourself up! What are your favorite qualities about yourself?

Many veterans carry invisible wounds after service. The difference between struggling alone and healing? Community.

WarriorWOD pairs veterans with mentors who've walked the same path, and guides them with a proven approach to reconnecting and rebuilding.

Welcome to What’s Your Win, the section of the newsletter where we celebrate all of the good things happening right here within our DONUT community. Big or small, there’s always something to celebrate.

Check out the wins we received this week!

💗 Bri C from MO is bonding with her daughter:

• “After a tough first year of middle school (girls can be so mean), my daughter and I are finding ways to find joy. We decided to start a podcast about mom and daughter relationship, middle school, and life unfiltered! The podcast is called “Don’t Tell Your Father” We are publishing our first episodes 5/1 across most podcast forums, and we are on Instagram as well!”

🙏 One anonymous reader is thankful for modern medicine:

• “My sister in law underwent a craniotomy to remove a fast growing tumor on her optic nerve. While the surgery was intense (32 staples!) and painful, they were able to remove most of it. The best part? It's NOT CANCEROUS! We are so grateful!”

📚 ICYMI: It’s National Library Week!! I am a regular at my local library; the librarians may as well ask if I “want my usual” when I'm there to check out a new book. With everything from novels to board games to community resources, there really is something for everyone. See what’s in store for National Library Week.

🫧 Spring is here, and with it comes the cleaning bug. Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products are my ride-or-die for any messes in my house. With a crawling little one, it’s nice to know Mrs. Meyer’s products are made with essential oils & other naturally chosen ingredients and completely cruelty free. Check out all of their cleaning products. ✨

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

1. What belongs to you, but is used by everyone you meet?
2. What two things can you never eat for breakfast?
3. What building has the most stories?

(keep scrolling for the answers)

Share your own wins... If you take a moment to slow down and recognize the good things in your life, you'll notice there really is always something to be thankful for🥰. 

And, if you feel compelled to share, let us know what you're feeling especially grateful for or proud of right here. Nothing is too small or insignificant to celebrate, and we promise to be your biggest hype-people😎.

Submit your or a loved one's wins here for a chance to be featured in next week's newsletter.

1. Your name
2. Lunch and dinner
3. A library

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