you make me smile!

 

wish

 Imagine this wishing box is for you. What’s inside?

little things

 

Sometimes when the big things in life don’t seem to be coming together it helps to feel like the little things fit.

These modular boxes were folded by me with origami paper from Oomomo. 

The box and lid are designed by Tomoko Fuse.

feel like takin’ a spin?

It’s finally warming up out there! 

Wanna take a spin?

#initforallthelove, all beings

Day 14/14, Kusudama (12 Sonobe Units)

Finally, love to all beings. 

To form this modular kusudama, or “medicine ball” (isn’t that appropriate?!?) multiple units are folded and interlocked, just like our connections and relationships build and contain us. 

May love and compassionate relationships fill this and all of our days for the sake of all beings.

Many thanks for being with me on this journey, and for being “in it for all the love”.

#initforallthelove, wabi-sabi

 

Day 13/14, Crumpled Ball

This post is dedicated to all the origami models, photos and words that didn’t turn out the way I thought they “should”. 

To all of us who were triggered by this series of posts because we don’t have a good relationship with our parents, we’ve lost a pet or a child, or a friend or lover or stranger hurt us, or we’re hard on ourselves.

I invoke the Japanese notion of “Wabi-Sabi”, appreciating the beauty of that which is imperfect, impermanent or incomplete. 

Remembering, in other words, that “Nothing lasts. Nothing is finished. Nothing is perfect.” 

Sending love...

#initforallthelove, self

Day 12/14, Twisty Rose (origin unknown)

Today I’m determined to send myself some love, but it’s tough. I’m saying the words I hear others use but the feeling is sort of fabricated. I feel frustrated that I’m not where they’re at.

Does that sound familiar? If so, a reminder for you too, things happen at their own rate. Every stage of growth, from seed to blossom to berry to fertilizer is valuable. 

What does feel real for me is this, I am lovable. In every season, past, present and future, I am loved and I am loving. No matter what is going on in my life, I love. 

And I love myself for that. 

#initforallthelove, enemies

 

Day 11/14, Corner Hugger Heart Bookmark (Origami Club)

Oh... where do I even begin?

This excerpt from “Soul Friends” by Stephen Cope says it better than I ever could. Please excuse me, I’m going back to practicing.

There is no greater misfortune than feeling 

“I have an enemy”

For when “I” and “enemy” exist together

there is no room left for my treasure 

Thus, when two opponents meet

The one without an enemy will surely triumph

- Lao-Tzu

#initforallthelove, the divine

 

Day 10/14, Divided Masu Box (traditional)

I try to love what is and trust the source, but to be honest, it’s not always easy for me. 

I remember once in school asking my religion teacher, “What if you’re not sure if you believe in God?” The answer was a cryptic, “Then you just have to have faith.” 

In yoga, faith is known as Shraddha, a combination of the words “sat” meaning truth and “adhar” meaning basis. It’s more about having conviction and courage than blind dependency.

With that in mind, I offer my love today to the Divine in all its names and forms. I still haven’t figured out exactly what I believe, but I am putting my faith in “That” and it’s presence in One and All.

#initforallthelove, strangers

Day 9/14, Origami Cranes (traditional)

Paper folding is a form of communication. The crane, in particular, is a well known messenger of peace.

Origami is a great icebreaker, inviting strangers into conversation and allowing them to share an experience or pass a torch.

It was a stranger who taught my brother to fold the cubes that began our origami adventure. I am forever grateful to that lady whose face and name I will never know. 

I’ve spent a lot of time throughout the pandemic thinking about people I don’t know. Sometimes the thoughts have been kind, sometimes quite the opposite! 

Today I’m sending them all love.

#initforallthelove, the earth

 Day 8) Recycled Paper Gift Bag 

As much as I love specialty Origami papers, some of my favourite creations are folded with rescued and repurposed papers.

Old book pages, magazine ads, calendars, packing paper from online orders, and used printer paper can all yield fantastic, one of a kind results.  

We are surrounded by beauty that is largely taken for granted, overlooked and undervalued.

By upcycling paper destined to be recycled or worse, my goal is to craft gratitude and responsible stewardship into my art and life.  

In this small way, I wish to pay tribute to the real value of this versatile material, honoring the earth and all her precious gifts. 

Please note* No new books were harmed in the making of this blog.

#initforallthelove, animals

 

Day 7 of 14) Lion Face (designed by Kamikey Origami)

This post is dedicated to my beloved animal friends, past, present and future.

You tame me, test me, teach me, and tell me you love me just as I am. How can I thank you enough?

To the creatures who share my yard and my earth home, totem teachers and magical messengers, I love sharing this world with you!

Special shout out to the little lion who currently has me wrapped around his paw, Mr. Ricky Baker.

#initforallthelove, plants

 Day 6) Recycled Paper Seed Packet (origin unknown)

Origami is so useful for nature lovers, gardeners and tree huggers.  

These resealable packets can be made out of just about any reclaimed paper you have at hand with just a folded square, no tape or glue.

They can be customized to any size and they’re biodegradable.

They safely store cuttings and little deadfall treasures or bandaids while out hiking or forest bathing. Larger size packets can hold foraged goodies or your snacks from home.

Best of all, they can save your precious heritage seeds over winter until it’s time to gently tap them out into the sunny soil.

The marigold represents resilience and plasticity, attributes I greatly admire and aim to embody in this life. I’ve been saving and planting seeds from my yoga teacher’s meditation garden for more than 15 years now, always accompanied with chants for world peace.

Beautiful plants and humble weeds, I love you! I am nourished by and bewitched by you.  Thank you so much for your perennial promise and your bountiful gifts. 

Peace!

#initforallthelove, children

 

Day 5: Lucky Stars (origin unknown)

Today I’m sending love out to all the kids in my life, past, present and future.

To the children we once were, folding paper airplanes and fortune tellers and intricately “locked” notes to our best friends, to my nephews and students who amaze and amuse me with their creativity and ingenuity, thank you!

To all the Star Souls, Crystal Beings and Rainbow Children yet to come, I look forward to your magical presence in the world!

#initforallthelove, lovers

 Day 4 of 14) Masu Box (traditional) and Origami letters (Origami Club)

Today I offer ardent, amorous love and hot-blooded appreciation to my lovers, crushes and flames, past, present and future.

Romance and intimacy are such a gold mine for deep connections, awakenings and alchemical collaborations that I can’t imagine my life without them.

I am smitten with you, thank you for sharing that sense of aliveness and pleasure with me.  

#initforallthelove, parents

 

Day 3 of 14) Modular Book (unknown)

The Buddha taught that we owe our parents so much, we could carry them on our backs our entire lives and it wouldn’t be enough. 

They are our first gurus; the safe containers into which we can, as Stephen Cope says in Soul Friends, “both relax and expand”.

Today I’m sending love and gratitude to my gurus; my parents, grandparents, godmothers, teachers, mentors, ancestors and elders who guide me with great wisdom and kindness.

It’s true, I can never repay you, but I want you to know, I love you, I revere you and I remember.

#initforallthelove, friends

Day 2 of 14: Origami Lilies (traditional)

In the Victorian language of flowers, yellow lilies represent thankfulness, joy and friendship, and orange lilies represent energy and confidence.

I offer this Valentine’s bouquet to all of my friends, past, present and future.  

I love and cherish each and every one of you and thank you for all the ways you bring beauty, joy and positive energy into my life.  

You offer such warm encouragement, sparkling inspiration and sense of belonging!  With you I feel attuned and affirmed, seen and heard.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

#initforallthelove, day 1/14

Day 1) Heart Garland in a Decorated Masu Box

This Valentine’s, I’m in it for ALL the love, cherishing love of all descriptions in the spirit of “Unity in Diversity”.

This 14 day origami meditation is a way for me to celebrate and share my passion for paper folding; a timeless art of transformation, mindfulness and conscious creativity.

My wish is that it will inspire you too, to reflect on all the iterations of love that enrich your life and community and joyfully express your creativity and appreciation, your own way.

May all beings be loved and be free to love.

#initforallthelove

 

Welcome to #initforallthelove, a 14 day creative meditation inspired by the Buddhist Loving Kindness meditation and dedicated to all the loves of my life!

I hope you will find this to be an inspiration for your own creative process and an enjoyable origami photo illustration of not only romantic love but love of all kinds. 🙏