❤️???? Stage Delight

That feeling when you realize it's time for another edition of Positive DONUT to drop: 

We're here in your inbox, bringing you amazing positive news from around the world. So strap in and enjoy the ride! 

Have a favorite story this week, or something exciting happening in your own life you want to share? Simply reply to this email and let me know, or fill out our submission form here – I love hearing from you! 🥰

- Kailyn

🚀⏰ Ready, Set, Go: Today's newsletter takes ~3.19 minutes to read (851 words).

P.S. First time reading? Subscribe here for free.

I am more than enough just as I am. I love every part of myself.

If you stopped by the Aliante Casino, Hotel, and Spa’s theater in Vegas last month, Anna Bailey could be found rehearsing to perform in an anticipated revival of the musical Follies. And after being retired for more than 50 years, the 97-year-old former Vegas showgirl was excited – albeit nervous – to finally return to the stage.

⏪ The journey: Anna moved to Vegas in March of 1955, after a successful few years dancing in NYC, her hometown. She was one of the original dancers at the Moulin Rouge – the first venue where performers and patrons of all races could dance and socialize together in a deeply segregated Las Vegas.

• While "The Rouge" closed down unexpectedly six months later, Anna went on to become a pioneer for the Las Vegas civil rights movement, helping to integrate the strip by becoming the first black dancer in an all-white chorus line at The Flamingo resort.
• “I never had any problems with the other girls,” said Anna, reminiscing on those times fondly. “We were all so glad to be working.”
• She also befriended celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Smokey Robinson, who fought alongside her to integrate the entertainment industry – and she watched history change before her eyes.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. Anna retired in the '70s, and hasn't performed since. So she was understandably shocked to receive a call earlier this year from Metropolis Theatricals, a nonprofit theater company producing a limited engagement run of Stephen Sondheim's Follies. They wanted the 97-year-old to be in two numbers in the show, along with 11 other former Vegas dancers.

• Anna doesn't drive anymore and has some arthritis in her knees, which made her hesitant to accept. But she decided one last time on the stage could do her some good. And her children were her biggest supporters.

Come showtime, the dancer floated across the stage, the eldest of all the women, beaming ear-to-ear to be in the spotlight again. 

💬 What she's saying: “I think this will maybe be my last gig,” she told the Washington Post. “But I’ll see what the future brings. I don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”

After her battle with cancer, Cathy Paraggio discovered herself and many others struggling with heightened sensitivity to traditional activewear materials. Inspired to empower everyone to feel great in their own skin, she and her son founded NoNetz, the soft, sustainable activewear brand revolutionizing comfort.

Each piece is:

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In 2006, 150,000 yellow rubber duckies were released in the River Liffey in Dublin as part of the Charity World Duck Race Ireland. 

Most of them made it to the finish line 1 kilometer away, but a few went rogue – including this little guy above👆.

🐥 18 years later... This duckie was found last month on the island of Stronsay in Scotland – 423 miles away from where it started. 

• Who knows what the...duck the duck has been up to for the last nearly two decades. But after the long journey, he's found a permanent home on the finder's shelves.

♻️ Reduce, reuse, recycle... Detroit's NFL Draft extravaganza may have ended two weekends ago, but the materials used to put it together are being used to help animals around the city. According to the Detroit News, turf, fencing, set pieces, and other materials used for the draft are being donated to local nonprofits, including Detroit Dog Rescue. Some materials are even being repurposed to help build the group's free and low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

🎶 Do it for the fans... Nearly 300 popular music artists have signed a letter supporting the Fans First Act, a bipartisan Senate bill hoping to make ticket sales more accessible to concertgoers nationwide by combating predatory ticket resellers and bots. The relationship between artists and their fans "forms the backbone of the entire music industry," reads the bill, and the legislation hopes to repair that.

🦔 "I’m rich!" Said the little hedgehog... Check out this adorable animation collaboration by Anna-Laura Sullivan and Beuriot Romain to remind you that sometimes, it really is all about perspective. 

Making small changes to add more self-care into your day-to-day can add up to amazing benefits over time. But, much like rolling a boulder down a hill, making the first move is the hardest part – so I made it easy on you. 

🥰 Baby steps = big steps... Check out this article by Vantage Fit, which outlines 16 habits to improve your mental health. Here's a sneak peek at some of my faves: 

1. Eat healthy brain-boosting foods
2. Exercise consistently
3. Practice mindful meditation
4. Get outside and connect with nature
5. Treat yourself once in a while

Read more here.

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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 DONUT Community. 

There's always something to be grateful for – check out the submissions we received this week! 

👏 Jan N. from London, UK, is growing in her career...

• "This week, I expanded my leadership network by 10 new CEO & director level connections, pushing beyond comfort zones for growth and connection🚀."

❤️ Lorena B. from Capitan, New Mexico, is celebrating her sobriety...

• "I made the decision to get sober last June. It's a decision I've made half-heartedly many times before. This time is different and to embrace that, I just celebrated my 300th day without a drink! I feel incredible and have had the best support system through my family, friends, and even strangers. I shared my victory to someone over the phone while grocery shopping. After I hung up, a total stranger congratulated me and shared that they were 24 years sober and still feels that same stress and relief that sobriety brings. He asked to give me a hug and offered his info in case I needed a friend or ever felt weak. I was so amazed and taken a back. Sharing something so intimate with a total stranger and feeling complete sincerity was incredible."
• Lorena continued: "I now have a goal to share that same encouragement and support with any and every person I encounter that may need it. We are all swirling around in this big blue orb together and even if our journeys aren't identical, we need to show each other love, empathy,and understanding. Remind your fellow humans that we can and will succeed as long as we take care of each other!💪🤘"

Big or small, there's always something to celebrate. And who knows? Sharing your day-to-day wins just may inspire someone else to notice theirs 🥰. 

Let us know what you're grateful for... Feel free to brag about yourself in the best way; we promise to be your biggest hype-people. We may even break out a little dance like Danny Zuko😎👆.

Submit a win here.

1. In what year was the Internet first available to the general public?
2. What was the prominent coffee shop featured in the hit TV show Friends?
3. Mickey Mouse almost went by a different name. What was it?
4. What is the national sport of Canada?

(keep scrolling for the 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.👇

1. 1993 💻 
2. Central Perk ☕️ 
3. Mortimer Mouse 🐭 
4. There are two; Canada's national sport depends on the season: In the winter, it's ice hockey🏒. In the summer, it's lacrosse🥍.

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).