day 7 - education

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." 

- John Dewey

Education isn't only something we receive - it's something we participate in. 

Every fold teaches me what works and what doesn't. 

This dictionary owl is a friendly figure who sits on my desk. He reminds me that the purpose of lifelong learning is not self-judgement, which makes me stop asking questions. 

Rather, when knowledge is my companion, something gentler happens. Education becomes an invitation to develop understanding through experience.

Today I'm practicing education by staying curious, letting both mistakes and joy inform my origami choices.

Owl designed and taught by Leyla Torres of Origami Spirit

day 6 - simplicity

"Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify." 

- Henry David Thoreau

Simplicity asks me to remove what isn't needed. To proceed one sheet, one module, one fold at a time. 

Today I'm practicing simplicity by letting this be enough.

Rectangular Frame designed by Kamikey, Hearts by Origami Club

day 5 - believing

"Despite everything, I believe people are really good at heart." 

Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

Believing doesn't always mean certainty. 

Sometimes it's a choice to continue even when you don't know for sure and the outcome isn't clear.

Today I'm practicing believing in myself and the power of community by sticking with this Season for Nonviolence project.

Easy Heart on Origami Club

day 4 - caring

"It is the time you have wasted on your rose that makes your rose so important." 

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

Caring shows up in how I handle things, not only how I feel about them. This crisp origami paper from Japan holds and shows every crease I make, carefully or carelessly. 

Today I'm practicing caring by cherishing and being gentle with what's in my hands.

Rose and Double Leaf by Nanahoshi

day 3 - appreciation

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." 

- Voltaire

Appreciation begins with recognizing the goodness, beauty or efforts of others and then offering respect by acknowledging it. 

I don't design origami (yet). I appreciate the designs of others and using the paper I have available, I create my unique versions of them.  

Today I'm practicing appreciation by crediting those designers and sincerely saying thank you. Without your hard work and heartfelt efforts to share, I wouldn't have so many lovely choices of models to fold and express myself with. 

I appreciate you!

Special thanks also to the creators of and on Pinterest, YouTube, and other social media platforms. Without those technologies my repertoire would be so much smaller.

Finger Heart by tatsukuriorigami on YouTube

day 2 - smiling

"Peace begins with a smile." 

- Mother Teresa

Smiling is easy to dismiss as superficial, but today I'm paying attention to how profound it really is. When my face softens, something deeper seems to soften too. 

This little vignette reminds me that small shifts can change both the expression and the impression, and they can be contagious. 

Today I'm seeing what happens when I let that softness show more freely.

Black Cat Silhouette by hiroko_daichan origami on YouTube

day 1 - courage

 "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." 

- Brene Brown

Courage doesn't always look dramatic.

Today, it is simply beginning. Knowing I won't do this perfectly and starting anyway.

Sometimes that's enough.