Tuesday is here, summer is here, and Positive DONUT is hitting your inbox—what more could a girl ask for?!

Welcome back to another edition of the newsletter with one goal: to remind you of all the good still in the world.

I hope you enjoy today’s send. Have a fantastic week! 🥰

-Kailyn

Ready, Set, Go: Today’s newsletter should be a ~3.41 minute read (906 words).

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I release the need to figure everything out right now.

When 22-year-old Craig Ferguson set off from Santa Monica Pier in California, he was heading to the World Cup—but also chasing a goal far bigger than soccer.

After 110 days, 18 states, and more than 3,000 miles on foot, the Scottish superfan arrived in Boston ahead of Scotland's first World Cup match in 28 years. 

• Craig walked through scorching desert heat, snowstorms, and even tornado conditions on the way, all while wearing his trademark tartan kilt and raising money for Scottish Action for Mental Health.
• The trip was a major success, with Craig reaching his ambitious $1.3 million fundraising target earlier this week.

The idea was born from heartbreak. Seven years ago, Craig watched his best friend Struan endure the loss of his father, Russell, to suicide. The experience left a lasting impression.

"Seeing what happened to my best friend and his family made me want to do anything I could to try to prevent it from happening to anyone else," Craig said.

That purpose carried him through some difficult moments on the trek. There were days when self-doubt crept in, especially while crossing California's Mojave Desert. As Ferguson later joked, being a Scotsman trekking through desert heat in a kilt wasn't exactly a combination recommended by travel agents.

But still, he kept moving.

Every morning, Ferguson laced up his shoes and tackled another 30+ miles. His best friend, Matthew, quit his job to accompany him in an RV, serving as cook, driver, motivator, and "adopted mum."

By the time Craig reached Boston Common earlier this month, thousands of supporters were waiting. Bagpipes played. Fans cheered. His mother greeted him with a champagne celebration. Craig, fighting back tears, could barely believe the crowd gathered to welcome little-ole him.

His feet may be worn out, his knees may be begging for a vacation, and he's officially taking a taxi to Scotland's World Cup opener. But Craig’s journey is a reminder that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when working towards something bigger than themselves.

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☝️ Meet Lucy, a little Havanese with a big heart. Found on the streets of New Jersey with fur matted so badly that rescuers couldn’t even see her face, Lucy spent 3+ hours being pampered at the groomers before being placed into a foster home (which soon became her forever home).

• Her dramatic transformation just earned her top prize in the Wahl Dirty Dogs Contest.
• This national shelter makeover competition awards grants to groomers and shelters who clean up rescue dogs and help them find homes.

💫 Colorado recently announced its new "Stargazing Trail," the ultimate road trip for night-sky enthusiasts. The trail connects 21 certified International Dark Sky destinations across the state, offering visitors unique astronomical views, stargazing experiences, and star-lit stays.

💃 A dance troop in Uganda called Ghetto Kids is set to perform alongside Shakira at the World Cup Final halftime show. The Colombian superstar discovered their electric choreography on social media, and asked them to join her.

🥰 Always look for the wonder around you…Why you should seek out a few minutes of awe every day.

This concept, simply put, is that we all have a "highest version" of ourselves, which is connected to the greater good and purpose of the world. This version of ourselves is calm, loving, whole, and enough just as they are. (Who doesn't want to feel like that?)

🧘‍♀️ The trick is getting ourselves there…and the 10-minute meditation linked below is a great start. 

It'll help you get in touch with this "best" version of yourself, guiding you into confidence and a deep peace with who you are.

Try it out here

P.S. A huge shoutout and thank you to subscriber Julia for the recommendation.

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

Big or small, there’s something to celebrate every day. Check out some wins we received in the last few weeks!

🫂 One anonymous subscriber from NJ is finding joy after heartbreak:

• “I went through a break up last year that wrecked me. I didn't want to live - my community disappeared, I had no joy. One year later- I'm in therapy, doing things on my own, and celebrating the little things of every day that I'm given :)”

🧹 Another anonymous reader from AZ has caught the cleaning bug:

• “It’s getting very hot here in Phoenix! So, I’m spending my indoor days cleaning out closets & cabinets. It’s hard to believe how much has accumulated being a Goodwill junkie. 😂”

🎧 As a new mom juggling work from home and a never-ending mental to-do list, I need all the help I can get to stay focused. When things get loud, Loop earplugs help me dial down the background noise without completely tuning out my surroundings. They come in different levels of sound reduction, so you can choose how much you want to filter out. Check them out. ✨

🤣 In honor of Father’s Day this past weekend: How Dad jokes may actually be good for your brain.

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

1. In the TV show Friends, what is Chandler Bing's job for most of the show?
2. Which movie production caused a global shortage of pink paint in 2023?
3. What is the name of the fictional country where Black Panther takes place?

I get it: life can get busy and overwhelming. It's hard to see the bright side sometimes.

• But What's Your Win isn't about toxic positivity—it's about perspective and expectations (which some, like our founder, say is the secret to happiness). 
• There truly is always something to be grateful for, even if it's as simple as your favorite cozy blanket or a fantastic latte you had earlier today. 

What's Your Win is about taking a moment to remember the good things in life. Big or small, it's all worth celebrating. And who knows? Sharing your win might inspire someone else to recognize the good in theirs.🥰

Share your everyday wins and gratitude here for a chance to be featured in next week's newsletter and have a positive impact on a stranger's life.

Submit a win—or a friend/partner/family member's win—here.

1. "Statistical analysis and data reconfiguration" (essentially, data science)
2. Barbie
3. Wakanda

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