Inhale the present, exhale the past.

Now let your breath guide you back to the present moment where peace and mindfulness reside.

Thank you for reading today’s edition of Grateful Gazette 💜

Here’s what to know for Friday:

• This new butterfly genus is named after a famous villain

• A hero waits 80 years to get his degree

• Learn a grounding technique for when you’re stressed

ONE BUTTERFLY TO RULE THEM ALL?

You've heard of butterflies, right? Lovely creatures, always fluttering about.

Now imagine this: some scientist folks stumbled upon a new genus of these winged beauties and decided to name it after... wait for it... Sauron. Yes, that's right, Sauron, the Dark Lord from The Lord of the Rings.

This isn't some random name plucked out of a hat.

On the contrary, with their orange and brown hues, these butterflies look like the fiery Eye of Sauron. A fitting tribute, you might say, to the infamous villain.

Our scientist heroes aren't new to this game.

One of them, Dr. Huertas, a curator of butterflies at the Natural History Museum in London, says that naming a new genus is a big deal. And this isn't one, but two new genera they've discovered. The second one's called Argentaria, which means "silver" after the butterfly's shiny wing scales.

Right now, we've only got two members of this "Saurona" genus: Saurona triangula and Saurona aurigera. But hey, who knows how many more of these Tolkien-inspired critters are out there waiting to be discovered?

All this butterfly business might sound simple, but it's actually the result of ten years of hard work and research.

These butterflies belong to the Euptychiina subtribe, which is, let me tell you, a real headache for taxonomists. Huertas herself confessed to having 70,000 similar-looking butterflies in her collection.

But thanks to the Natural History Museum’s vast collection, they managed to identify 449 species from 9 genera in the Euptychiina group. That's a whole lot of butterflies, folks.

And if you're wondering whether all this is important, it is.

This study has shown just how many unnamed species are still out there. It's like an open invitation to adventure for anyone interested in the natural world.

So, go on, take a leaf out of these scientists' books, and who knows, you might just find your own Dark Lord... or at least, a butterfly named after one.

🗞 More Good News

🎓 Georgia State honors its first class of inmate graduates

😊 Happiness is an extracurricular class at this Massachusetts high school

💼 Real, concrete change in job prospects for black workers makes a difference even in a slowdown

✋ Brazil blocks an oil pipeline project planned near the Amazon River

🦴 Mastodon bones discovered by a Michigan work crew are now on display

🌭 The Wienermobile from Oscar Meyer is getting a name change

☀️ The Bright Side

Talk about perseverance!

Fred Taylor, our hero of the day, a World War II veteran, had his college graduation on pause for a cool 80 years. Yeah, you heard that right. Eight-Zero.

Back in 1943, Fred was too busy serving our country to make it to his own graduation for his music degree. But Fred, being the determined soul he is, decided it was never too late. So, this past weekend, he dusted off his cap, donned a gown, and strolled across the stage at Cornell College's 2023 commencement ceremony.

Let's just say, the diploma might have aged a bit, but our boy Fred? Still as spry as ever.

It goes to show, it's never too late to celebrate your accomplishments. Because, hey, good things happen when you wait...even if it's an 80-year wait.

TRY THIS WELLNESS EXERCISE

Ever felt like you're on a rollercoaster with racing thoughts and can't get off?

Let me share a game-changer - the "5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique". This is your emergency brake for when stress levels are skyrocketing.

Here's the rundown:

1. Chill Spot: Park yourself somewhere quiet and comfortable. Deep breaths, friend.

2. Eye Spy: Clock five things you can see. Do any details or colors catch your eye? Note them down, judgment-free.

3. Touchy-Feely: Track four things you can touch. What's the fabric of your shirt like? Feel the sun's warmth? Get in tune with your touchy-feely side.

4. Sound Check: Listen out for three sounds. From the subtle hum of your AC to the distant honking of cars, let the sound vibes flow.

5. Nose Knows: Sniff out two things you can smell. Freshly brewed coffee or the scent of rain-soaked earth, let your nostrils guide you.

6. Taste Test: Lastly, focus on one thing you can taste. Sip that coffee, bite into that apple, and savor the flavor party.

Why should you do this?

Because when your brain's running a mile a minute, this technique acts like an anchor, grounding you in the present. It's mindfulness made easy.

Give it a shot—your brain will thank you.

- Thank you for reading Grateful Gazette. Remember to breathe deeply to bring your mind back to your body 💜