Once a month we will highlight a person who personifies our mission statement here at The Bright Side Project. This person will wear the title of “Honorary Ambassador of Sunshine.” The qualifications are simple: spread sunshine and actively live with the conviction that life is (still) beautiful. That’s it!

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January’s “Honorary Ambassador of Sunshine” is Secret Agent L. I was first introduced to the lovely Laura Miller via our personal blogs and it has been an honor to witness her evolution through good times and bad. This project stems from the simple, sincere desire to put good out into the world. She is an inspiration and living proof that kindness is contagious. Please feel free to get in on some of the action and (as Secret Agent L says): “Be Kind. No Exceptions.”

*Tell us a little bit about yourself: who you are and what you do.

Laura, 33, is currently an administrative assistant at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre and a master’s degree in English Literature (with an emphasis on 18th-Century British drama and actresses) from the same institution.  She also models and acts professionally and has been working in the industry for over thirteen years, filming various commercials, industrial films, and recording voice overs.  Laura is also actively involved in promoting mental health awareness and works closely with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Southwestern PA, on whose Board of Directors she currently serves. Laura regularly serves as a guest speaker at events around Pittsburgh where she talks about the ways in which intentional acts of kindness can change people’s lives and the communities in which they live. She has been the keynote speaker for the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania’s Annual Conference, Kindness Ambassador for the Allegheny County Library Association’s One Book One Community project, keynote speaker for the Propel Schools Challenge Day (which focuses on anti-bullying and tolerance in the high school community) and a panelist for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday Supper event.

Laura remained anonymous until July 2010, when she revealed her identity at a charity fundraiser for NAMI, which was attended by over 200 people and raised over $1,500.  By putting a face to the project, she hopes to increase even more awareness around the importance of kindness and its increasingly powerful effects on the world.

“This project is the greatest honor of my life,” she says.  “Every mission touches my heart, whether it’s one I complete or one my Affiliated Agents complete.  I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of this international kindness movement.  I truly believe this is my life’s work.”
*Have you spread some sunshine recently or have you witnessed a random act of kindness? Please explain in detail.

Since the SAL Project has taken off in a pretty significant way in the last year or so, I’ve been more focused on the work my Affiliated Agents are doing in terms of acts of kindness. I continue to receive emails from them on a regular basis where I see the missions they carry out in the name of kindness. It’s been an incredibly humbling and inspirational experience for me to have people I will probably never meet decide to be a part of the SAL family, carry out their anonymous missions of kindness, and share them with me in such exuberant ways!
I still carry out missions of my own on occasion, but the focus of the SAL Project really has morphed toward that of the Affiliated Agents and the recipients of their missions of kindness. It’s now a community that has both an online and real-world presence. A recent mission carried out by an Affiliated Agent from Illinois was met with a response from the individual who received that act of kindness, and we were able to feature both sides of the story on the website. I continually feel my heart swell when I receive emails from people who have stumbled upon an Affiliated Agent’s mission of kindness who express such gratitude and joy in the experience. And I almost always hear people say that they truly needed that boost of love at that moment, which just goes to show that the majority of us are walking around each day with burdens in our hearts, longing for a sign that we matter, that we are loved, and that there is goodness in the world.

My heart is overjoyed by stories I hear of entire families deciding to become Affiliated Agents who do missions on birthdays, holidays, and other dates of importance to them. I am blown away by the grandmother whose granddaughter decided that every birthday she wants to go do a mission of kindness. I am consumed with the deepest joy that a preschool teacher in Missoula, Montana, started the Superheroes of Kindness, complete with capes and all, as a result of her experience with the SAL Project.

The SAL Project is not about me. I’m merely the flesh-and-bones facilitator. I simply want to inspire people to realize that every single person matters, that love and kindness should be intentional rather than random, and that we are all in this together. As Mother Teresa said, “If we do not have peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another.”

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{ please visit frediasophie here }

Great jewelry is what legends are born of. The kind of pieces you hold onto, smile when you wear and pass on to your children. One facet of my “Happy New Year, Happy New You” focus has been to only keep jewelry that makes me feel like the absolute best version of myself. To only add pieces that add something to me; no fluff. This requires a somewhat discerning palate and discriminatory nature. You also have to know yourself, know what you love, know your heart.

My love for Friedasophie is no secret. Here at the BSP, we have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to showcase the stunning works of art created by this San Francisco artist. Each time I visit the store, I am more and more inspired to be the absolute best version of myself. Here is a perfect example: the “Midnight Sunstone Gold Necklace” brings to mind every great novel I’ve ever read, my favorite song, the perfect cup of coffee. The “Delicate Gold Double Chain Ring”  makes me feel like walking outside in the rain, singing. This is the kind of jewelry love songs are made of. (Seriously, friends. The Midnight Sunstone Necklace? It is magic.) And magic is exactly what a “Happy New You” is all about.

Friedasophie is giving away one set of “Delicate Gold Silver Band Rings”to one lucky winner. To enter to win, please answer the following question by Tuesday, January 31st.

What jewelry are you wearing right this very minute? What does it mean to you?

Please begin checking the winners box on February 2, 2012 to see if you’ve won. Good luck!

Hello, dear readers. One special new feature we’ve added this year is the occasional spotlight on one of our contributors. Inherent in the mission statement of The Bright Side Project is the unspoken belief that to “Do What You Love, Love What You Do” is an absolutely essential component in creating a happy and healthy lifestyle. Every now and then, we will ask our contributors to answer a few short questions on the ideas of happiness, creativity and sunshine. We hope these rays of light help inspire you to find the sunshine in your day, today and everyday.

Today’s spotlight is on Friedasophie.

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers and explain a little bit about your business. 

My name is Friedasophie and i am a Hamburg Native, living in San Francisco. I have been making things for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family where creativity was a part of life. I have been artistically influenced greatly by my two grandmothers who were fashion designers, hat designers and writers.
As a child, I started out as a painter, then switched to fashion design which inspired me to become a jewelry designer.

2. We believe that one of the ways to achieve happiness is to “Do what you love, love what you do.” How does this philosophy apply to your life?

I am very passionate about my work as an artist. I believe, without passion there can not be true art. I am most happy when i get to play around with my huge gemstone collection. It is like owning your own treasure chest.

3. Our mission here at The Bright Side Project is to spread sunshine on a daily basis because we firmly that life is (still) beautiful. Where do you find beauty and inspiration?

I am constantly drawing, collecting and photographing things that I find intriguing.
I also find inspiration by traveling or visiting local vintage shows.

4. On a dreary day, what do you do to infuse your life with a bit of sunshine?

I love to go for a walk on the beach and than come home to a cup of hot chocolate and a vintage movie.

5. At this very moment, what are you most grateful for?

I am grateful for being alive and well. Having lots of love in my life and being able to work with what i love.

Look for an amazing giveaway from Friedasophie later today!

It’s time again for another installment of weekly wisdom, a free download to keep you inspired. This week’s quote is from Anne Frank.

To download, click on the image to open it full size and select file “save as” for your own personal use.

And be sure to leave a comment or email us with your suggestion and you may see your “name in lights!”

Hello, Honorary Ambassadors of Sunshine! Miss Krista here. From time to time, we will be showcasing a DIY to help inspire you to create something magical in your life. There is nothing more inspiring or sunshiny than creating something yourself, right?
If you’re like me, you probably struggle with what to do with your holiday cards at the end of the year. I am just nostalgic enough to want to keep them forever and yet I’m also what I like to call an “anti-hoarder” and can’t bring myself to hold onto boxes and boxes of stuff that will never be used. This year, I started a new tradition: the repurposed holiday card garland.

It is a super easy project that you can do with your holiday cards too. Here’s how:

• First, gather all of your cards, those with interesting colors and patterns work best. (I still had last year’s cards saved in a box waiting for a project so they got added in the mix!)

• Next use a round circle punch to cut out interesting colors and sections of your cards.

• Then, gather up some twine and double-sided tape. You could also use string or embroidery thread in any color you like. Or use glue. This is what I had on hand so it is what I used. The idea is to make it easy and fun!

• Attach tape to the back of one circle and lay the twine across it so that it is perpendicular to the tape (to allow for the highest tape to paper ratio.)

• Press another circle onto the back and squeeze to set the tape. I made this double-sided so that it could be hung anywhere and provide a good visual from all angles.

• Hang your garland! The beauty of this project is that it can live in your home throughout the year as a reminder of the good tidings left over from the holiday.

• My fiance is an artist and we have a huge white canvas in our living room waiting for inspiration to strike. I draped the garland over it for the time being but the beauty of this garland is that it will work anywhere! And, if I decide, I can put it away with the ornaments and display it next year. The best part? It will grow year after year!

I hope my DIY inspires you to get creative!

If you have a project you would love to share with us, please email krista@thebrightsideproject.com and we’ll highlight your projects as well.

The time is here. The holidays are winding themselves back up onto the shelves until next year and we are all left with a sense of restoration and calm and (perhaps) a bit of exhaustion. January is a time to reflect, to start fresh, to remember why you love your life and how to keep it that way. For me, January is also about books. After all of my social obligations have passed I find nothing more comforting than diving into some new reading material. It’s fresh food for the brain after a couple of months of feeding the body.

We all know that Chronicle Books is THE go-to for all of your bibliophile needs. As their mission statement says, “Inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value.” (In fact, I think spirit and creativity and value might just be my focus for 2012.) In my humble opinion, the most magical books of all are coffee table books. My dream home comes complete with a full wall of coffee table books for my perusing pleasure. Strange? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely.

Molly Jane Quinn and Jenna Talbott, the geniuses behind Unhappy Hipsters, have curated the quintessential handbook for anyone who loves good design and witty banter. It’s Lonely in the Modern World features “detailed illustrations, beautifully staged photos, and helpful charts, this master manual is perfect for aspiring modernists, those who love them, and, of course, those who love to hate them.” No coffee table book collection worth its weight is complete without this gem. Trust me on this.

Chronicle Books is giving away one copy of the book It’s Lonely in the Modern World to one lucky winner. To enter to win, please answer the following question by

Rather than resolutions, let’s talk focus. What is your focus for 2012?

Please begin checking the winners box on January 26, 2012 to see if you’ve won. Good luck!

It’s time again for another installment of weekly wisdom, a free download to keep you inspired. This week’s quote is from Cynthia Ozick.

To download, click on the image to open it full size and select file “save as” for your own personal use.

And be sure to leave a comment or email us with your suggestion and you may see your “name in lights!”

Ah, 2012, it’s lovely to meet you. The holidays were a bit of a turning point, let me tell you. For some reason, the air was different than years past. There is a palatable change lingering well past the parties and the indulgence and the merriment. There is a warm shift of something new, something grand, something bigger than the sum of its parts. Life is about to get real and we here at the BSP couldn’t be more excited to be along on the ride with you.

Every year we make resolutions and promptly feel bad when we forget them. How about we collectively decide to do something different this time around? Rather than resolve, let’s focus. Focus on what makes us happy, what makes us smile and what brings light into the corners of our lives we hide from others. Let’s focus on the new year with a “New You.” For the entirety of January, we will be bringing you products and ideas that provide just the right amount of inspiration to look ourselves in the mirror each and every morning and say to ourselves, “Good morning, it’s lovely to see you.” It’s time for a Happy New You.

It’s time again for another installment of weekly wisdom, a free download to keep you inspired. This week’s quote is from Coco Chanel.

To download, click on the image to open it full size and select file “save as” for your own personal use.

And be sure to leave a comment or email us with your suggestion and you may see your “name in lights!”

It’s time again for another installment of weekly wisdom, a free download to keep you inspired. This week’s quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

To download, click on the image to open it full size and select file “save as” for your own personal use.

And be sure to leave a comment or email us with your suggestion and you may see your “name in lights!”