Little Bird of Happiness

A couple of weeks ago, I received a very nice email from Sandy about her 1000 Paper Cranes Project, asking me if I'd like to join in.  After her kind note, and reading a bit about her project, it didn't take me long to say, "YES!" 

Sandy's project uses paper cranes, often a symbol of peace, with positive words written on them.  They are left for anyone to find, the positive words a way to spread happiness to others. Her aim is to make 1000 paper cranes and leave them in 1000 different locations.  Each crane has an uplifting word printed on it, as well as a link to her website with info on her project.  The hope being that those finding the paper birds may participate in a widening the circle of happiness. I just LOVE this idea!

So far Sandy has about 118 paper cranes "released," and to date she's been contacted by at least one person who has found one of her birds.  Sandy is spreading the word about her project and hoping others will too. If you are interested in helping  with this fun project, for adding a bit of happiness out there in the world, do please contact Sandy. She has lots of information on how you can participate.

This past weekend, on Saturday actually, on World Kindness Day I released a paper crane of my own--a little extra kindness added!  Dear Husband & I use our local library almost weekly, so the library seemed a very fitting place to leave my bird.  It waits with some travel books in a cozy corner at the library...

My word was easy to choose--JOY... one of my favorite emotions and expressions. I have used both English and Norwegian. Joy translated to Norwegian would be GLEDE. The paper is aqua blue scrapbooking paper (I don't have anything like pretty origami paper at the moment). Blue is often symbolic of peace & positive flow of communication.

Does that look like a bird?!  First try... far from flying!

For fun I thought I'd share a few "out-takes" of trying to learn how to make an origami bird--origami is something I'd not tried before Sandy asked me to join her project. There are a GAZILLION online sources for origami how-to's, etc. Everything from YouTube tutorials, to other illustrated step-by-step sites. In the end the most helpful to me was this site, offering 3D animated instructions.

Success...almost!

Let me know if you join in on this project.  I would love to see your birds, your message and where you might leave your bit of happiness. And I know Sandy would appreciate some extra hands and hearts joining in!

JOY to you this day and always...

With Love,

Comments

[driftwood]

such a lovely idea, and I love your crane x

[Sarah]

How lovely-I will definitely look into this later today-when at home! On lunch at the moment and for once am relaxing rather than working! I love how your library looks like a living room, and how the Norwegian for joy is similar to glad.
Hope you have a joyful week,
xx

[Christine]

What a lovely idea, Tracy. I hope that one day I'll find a lovely little paper bird ...

[Melanie]

What a lovely idea. I am so clumsy with paper- wrapping presents is an effort! How I don't end up looking like The Mummy with tape all round me I don't know. :-)

I so admire those who can do origami. My efforts even with Hubby's paper and a book are still very bad. I hope the idea really takes off.

[Tea]

This is a neat idea. I love the idea of leaving a sweet message for someone else to find. Joy to you today too! <3

[Gayle]

That is such a lovely thing to do! I've never tried origami. It looks really complicated!

[Leslie]

What a great idea to leave your bird at your local library! I would be thrilled to find a surprise gift like that. And I love the sky blue color and your choice of words. I learned a new word in Norwegian, too! "Glede." I like that.

[Shayla]

I like that idea, Tracy and that you left yours in the library. I'm going to check out her project.

[Elizabeth]

What a lovely idea.
A bit like Susanna Gordon's winger messengers
This sounds like something I'd enjoy.
I could launch them from the rooftop
here in Manhattan

[Jodi]

This is a wonderful idea....And believe it or not, my daughter made 1000 paper cranes herself that are in a box in our basement. She read the book in sixth grade about a Japanese child who had cancer and requested that a thousand cranes be made and released. My Kathe couldn't part with hers then -- but maybe now she could join in and leave a few here, there and everywhere to spread some joy.

[Ragna Shollenberger]

Oh my, Tracy. Since I read your post I got the paper out and I've tried and I've tried....to make a decent bird.
I folded and unfolded, lost track of front and back, and folded all over again.
This poor little thing (I finally "created" my own version) will NEVER fly, but will, perhaps, be a joy to our 3 year old Sofie who thinks everything mormor does is great.

Wonderful post and thoughts, Tracy. Sending you love for all your acts of kindness and GLEDE...I am so grateful to be one of your many recipients.....

[Anne Donald]

What a lovely idea!! It has been very cold here today - winter has definitely arrived!! Have a good week, love Anne xx

[S. Etole]

My grandson enjoys origami ... yours is so serene.

[tea time and roses]

Hello Tracy,

Hope you enjoyed a beautiful weekend. What a very sweet idea. I love those little cranes. A sweet little message is a wonderful way to brighten someones day.:o) Enjoy a lovely week.

Smiles♥

Beverly

[Puna]

I missed world kindness day but I love catching up with everyone today. Makes me happy!

[elk]

oh Tracy what an absolutely wonderful adventure..I hope that you hear back but even if you do not what a humble feeling to leave"glede" at your library~

I think your crane is just beautiful..like you!!
love the project!! go Sandy

[rochambeau]

Dear Tracy,
Your crane turned out perfectly! It's cool that you left a surprise at the library too!

Hugs to you
Hope you are feeling better today!
xox
Constance

[M.Kate]

Origami is big here, I love them but never really tried anything. I love those cranes too...but yet to fold one myself. I love your version Tracy and it's good to raise all these awareness on the net, spread the love, joy and whole lotta of goodness. Will be thinking of you. Hugs...M

[Paz]

wow! I'm impressed with your bird. lovely. lovely project, too.

paz xoxoxo

[Marilyn Miller]

Tracy, I love your crane and where you left it. I also received the email, but have not at this point done this. I have butterflies I sometimes leave in places. They say "soar". I will have to think again on this. Thanks for your sharing.

[Courtney]

Oh my goodness -- I have chills!!! This is just such a wonderful effort! I'm already scheming where the kids and I will leave our cranes. Thank you so much for sharing!

[sweetmyrtle]

hi Tracy, isn't this project fab!!.. am hoping to release a few cranes too. i love your word JOY, my sister's middle name incidentally... i just bneeed to master making some cranes now ~ will check out your links.
blessings dear friend
Ginny xxx

[sweetmyrtle]

hi Tracey, isn't this project fab!!.. am hoping to release a few cranes too. i love your word JOY, my sister's middle name incidentally... i just bneeed to master making some cranes now ~ will check out your links.
blessings dear friend
Ginny xxx

[Kate England]

Thank you for making me smile, again! With love! x

[Relyn]

You do the most interesting, creative things.