Happy Tuesday, and welcome to another issue of Positive DONUT, the newsletter dedicated to sharing all things good.

In case you haven’t heard it in a while: you are loved, you are supported, and you deserve all the happiness in the world. Thanks for being here, and have a fantastic week!

–Kailyn

Ready, Set, Go: Today’s newsletter should be a ~3.39 minute read (902 words).

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I have enough, I do enough, I am enough.

Some adults find making friends to be a bit easier when everyone has something to keep their hands busy.

Jenny Baquing, 38, is the creator of Jenny and Cabbage, a series of free, all-ages craft nights around California’s Bay Area that have become an unlikely social hotspot.

The events, which feature everything from rock painting to purse-charm making, regularly attract 100+ people looking to get creative and connect with others.

Let’s rewind: Jenny, who describes herself as neurodivergent, started the gatherings last year after moving back to the Bay Area and struggling to expand her social circle.

• Her first event, a rock-painting night, attracted 75 people.
• Since then, Jenny and Cabbage has expanded to at least two events/month at rotating venues, with popular activities drawing 250+ attendees.

“It can feel really vulnerable and scary and sad to say, ‘I want more friends, but I don’t know how to make them,’” she said. “When you are willing to come into a space like this, your bravery is really rewarded with friendship and community.”

Her secret sauce is simplicity. There’s no cover charge or RSVP, supplies are provided, and zero artistic talent is necessary. Having an activity also gives attendees a built-in conversation starter, removing some of the awkwardness that can come with walking into a room full of strangers.

• Some regulars say the events have helped them build friendships after moving to the Bay Area, working remotely, or otherwise struggling to meet new people. 
• Others have become volunteers, helping Jenny keep the growing gatherings running.

Jenny is just grateful to have a space to express herself and meet new people. All she needed was some markers, beads, and a sheet of stickers.

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👆 Zion is the first US national park to debut an all-terrain wheelchair lending program for visitors, allowing those with disabilities to venture out on trips through the park's beautiful—but tough—terrain.

🐟 A new “coastal corridor” is coming to Florida: the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its charitable arm are creating an interconnected network of ocean-based conservation projects to protect and support vulnerable wildlife.

💪 Parkour for seniors: A group of elderly people in Singapore have dedicated themselves to learning parkour, a type of exercise that involves jumping over ledges, climbing fences, and running over obstacles to get from Point A to Point B. And they’re already seeing results.

🚭 Smoking and vaping are seeing record lows among US middle and high school students, according to the FDA’s latest National Youth Tobacco Survey. Only 1.4% of US youth reported smoking cigarettes last year, a historic low for the habit that remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in America.

Practicing mindfulness doesn't need to take up much of your day; even just a few one-minute chunks can help establish the power of simple repetition.

This TIME article outlines the simple practice of "Active Noticing," a ~60-second mindfulness practice for when you need some grounding.

A step by step guide:

1. Pause and take one slow breath, extending the exhale.
2. Notice three things you can see, without labeling them as good or bad.
3. Notice two physical sensations in your body (such as your feet on the floor or the weight of your body in a chair).
4. End with a grounding statement: “This is what’s here right now.” Or: “This is what I notice right now.”

And that’s all. Give it a try now, and notice how different you feel after. Bonus points if you try it multiple times throughout your day.

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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 the Positive DONUT community. I love sharing stories from around the globe, but there’s just something extra special about hearing what’s going on in your lives.

Check out this week's submissions:

🏠 One anonymous reader from GA is being neighborly:

• “I have been helping out a dear neighbor in need along with her 2 children!!!”

🫂 Sie H. is investing in their friendships:

• "I’ve been making more of an effort to reach out to my current friends and make new ones! It’s going really well and we even have a vacation booked for me and a few close friends."

❤️ Karen T. from Roseville, MN, is thankful for her doc:

• “Last Friday I went to my annual visit with my cardiologist. I was diagnosed with afib the first year of Covid and all has been well since then. At today's visit my doctor discovered that I was having an afib episode, meaning my heart was beating too fast and erratically. She sent me to the ER and I only just came home today, 5 days later. I am bragging that I was smart enough to not put off my annual appointment!!! I am asymptomatic so I didn't even know I was having symptoms; I felt just fine, no shortness of breath, couldn't feel my rapid heartbeat, etc. Who knows where (or if) I'd be if I hadn't gone to see the doctor.”

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🔍 We’re looking for your recs! Do you have a favorite book, movie, podcast, or product you want to share with our Positive DONUT fam? Simply reply to this email to get in touch.

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1. What was the first music video ever to air on MTV in 1981?
2. What major company was originally called "Cadabra" before changing its name?
3. Which fruit was commonly thought to be poisonous in the Western world until the 1820s?

We want to hear from you!! No win is too small to celebrate. And who knows, your moment of gratitude just may inspire someone else to see the little wins in their life, too.

So what are you waiting for? Take a few seconds to think about what you have to celebrate in your life, and share it with us here to be featured in a future newsletter.

Submit a win.

1. Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
2. Amazon
3. Tomatoes

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