Transcript

[Panel 1]
DONNA stands next to an object covered in a purple cloth.
DONNA:
“Welcome to the reveal of our mental wellness award!
A gift for a healthier workplace”

[Panel 2]
DONNA gestures dramatically toward the object.
DONNA:
“Thanks to your suspiciously substantial input, I present to you...”

[Panel 3]
DONNA has removed the cloth, revealing a sparkling Zen garden.
DONNA:
“Our very own Zen garden…”

[Panel 4]
MIL0 the raccoon, DASH the penguin, FINLEY the goldfish, and DREW the sloth gather around the Zen garden.
FINLEY:
“Are we supposed to do yardwork now?”

[Panel 5]
DASH, MILO, and FINLEY inspect the Zen garden. DREW reclines.
DASH:
“It seems a little dry for a waterpark”

[Panel 6]
MILO turns to DASH with a cheerful smile.
MILO:
“I’ll go look for a hose”

CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT

CHAPTERS

The Grant Reveal
Posted on August 27, 2025 by donnalake

From Donna’s Desk

We finally unveiled the mental wellness award.
 It sparkled. It involved sand. It inspired someone to say, “I'll go look for a hose.”

Which tells you everything you need to know about my team.

The winning suggestion, submitted in what I can only describe as multiples, was a Zen garden.
 Approved. Delivered. Unboxed with appropriate ceremony and a concerned follow-up question about yardwork.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  • With grit and determination, anything can become a water feature.

  • Rakes become weapons of distraction almost immediately.

  • And mental wellness, like most things, is easier to chase than to define.

That said, I do believe in the gesture.
 The pause.
 The attempt.
 Even if it arrived covered in sand and raccoon pawprints.

 

So I’d love to hear from you:

  • What’s the weirdest or most well-intentioned “wellness” initiative you’ve seen actually take root?

  • What’s something small that helps your team breathe a little easier?

  • And how do you respond when your leadership moment becomes an impromptu landscaping project?

Drop a comment. Share your story. Or just tell me what you’d name the bonsai.

I’ll be here.
 Smoothing sand. Reframing expectations. Hiding the hose.

Donna

 

 

#IamDonnaLake
 #ZenInTheory
 #WorkplaceWellness
 #OfficeChaosSurvivor
 #WomenWhoHoldTheLine
 #MiddleManagementMagic
 #DonnaLake

If you know someone who would enjoy this office zen garden comic, feel free to pass it along. Sharing is the one thing that doesn't require documentation.

Want to grab some Donna Lake swag? Head over to Pithitude.

Start from the beginning of the strip.

6 thoughts on “The Grant Reveal”

  1. Gayle

    How do we translate this into a big win for the department?

    1. donnalake

      How do we turn sand into strategy? Great instincts on using what we have, Gayle.

      And thank you for gently redirecting me from the path of righteous resignation.

      I think we can frame this project as:
      “Department-wide morale initiative implemented with 100% participation and multi-species engagement.”

      That should earn us at least a few approving nods upstairs. Possibly even a bullet point. -Donna

  2. The Phantom

    “Yoda”, with a sign……… “Do or do not. There is no try.”

    1. donnalake

      Very prescient vision you have! The Phantom must have back door access to some internal memos regarding a motivational consultant that may or may not be making an appearance in the future.

  3. Kem Todd

    Seems like there are always people talking crap about whatever is introduced from “corporate”. First adopters can influence others if given opportunity. Half day fridays seem to help things run smoothly where I work.

    1. donnalake

      Yes, an open mind can see the value of an idea more clearly than someone with a knee-jerk reaction! I vote for more win-win opportunities like yours, Kem!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.