I first “met” Jessica through a Facebook post about kindness. Who says you can’t make friends on the internet? After connecting, learning more about each other’s work, and chatting on the phone, I realized there was some deeper thread connecting me to my new West Coast friend. Jessica has a kind and genuine spirit that reminds me of all the reasons I started The Smile Project and all the reasons people are the best.
Without further ado, allow me to jump from New York City to Los Angeles, California and introduce you to Jessica Brittani, Founder of Calm and Colorful.
Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a “Happiness is.”
Jessica: Happiness is that warm feeling in our hearts when your heart feels whole. We create our own happiness through gratitude, helping others (sharing love) and being surrounded by those who love us (receiving love). Happiness is a happy heart.
Liz: What is your project?
Jessica: My organization is Calm & Colorful. I guide children and teens to be mindful of the present moment while building and enhancing life skills through mindfulness mentoring. I guide them to get through struggles they face such as bullying, body awareness, motivation, focus, handling emotions, and much more. Mindfulness mentoring is 1x1 personalized life coaching. I also created an interactive coloring book that teaches breathing exercises which help children learn how to handle their emotions.
I offer life skills group classes through Outschool to children ages 8-18.
Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?
Jessica: I do what I do because as a teenager I was diagnosed with depression. Years later a little girl I knew since she was in preschool took her own life when she was 13 because of depression. These two significant times in my life inspired me to want to help children and teens BEFORE they get to this point. Mindfulness, mindset, and movement are the roots are focus on. Liz: What does service mean to you?
Jessica: Service means to me: Sharing your unique gifts and knowledge out of the kindness of your own heart to make a positive change in a selfless way. Being a guardian angel in someone’s life. Liz: How can people get involved?
Jessica: People can get involved by joining our social media pages, (Facebook and Instagram), subscribing to our newsletter at the website, or sign up for free mindfulness tools text subscriptions by texting MINDFUL to 474747.
Liz: Anything else you'd like to add?
Jessica: Breathe. Don’t forget to breathe. It’s such a simple act we are already doing constantly, but when we mindfully breathe, we are able to bring ourselves back to the present moment. BONUS QUESTION:
What’s your favorite quote?
“Make everybody feel like a somebody.”
