July 24, 2012

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I folded 1000 origami paper cranes. About a year ago, I decided that a year from then I wanted to have a 1000 paper cranes. And I simply stuck to that plan.

People tend to overestimate what they can do in a short amount of time and underestimate what they could achieve on the long term.

Often big dreams seem far away. Yet we want to have it all here and now, and if that doesn’t work we figure it won’t work at all. We end up doing nothing because the chunk of work is simply overwhelming. What we need to do is to start and work through this big overwhelming dream by dividing it into tiny chunks by asking ourselves the question: What can I do today? If we do this each day, the results after a longer period of time will be amazing. This method seems to work for everything in life: asking yourself how you can be the most loving person today, how to make the best of your day and simply doing something small and creative today.

It isn’t bad to have ideals, as long as we keep them as a source for direction rather than an ultimate goal that gets us demotivated, thinking we won’t ever achieve it because it is unreachable.

I am here to tell you that however crazy your dream is, you can do it. All you need is time, patience and work hard and consistently.

Think about what is a realistic mini-task you can accomplish today, without worrying about tomorrow, the day after and next month. Then when tomorrow comes, simply ask yourself the same question. Because the only thing we have is right now.

I folded these cranes with the aim to give them all away to random strangers. I figured that if I would be happy to receive a paper crane out of the blue, at least some people out there must feel the same way as I would. I will keep you posted on part B of Operation Paper Crane: giving them away.
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I completed my project, here is an update:

1000 origami cranes for 1000 strangers video post

Behind the scenes: origami crane project

59 Comments

  • Reply

    joyce matula welch

    July 24, 2012 at 12:48

    Love this post and I’m sharing it :)

  • Reply

    Boye By Red

    July 24, 2012 at 13:03

    I love the cranes and i love this post.
    You are so right about setting a goal and doing it bit by bit, step by step. No matter how big the objective is, you can get there by working hard. But you need discipline. A lot of it.
    This is a totally inspiring post. And well done for sticking to your cranes plan. Sitting in a box full of little cranes sounds like a perfect way to spend time.

    Have a lovely day and keep creating!

    Red xx

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 27, 2012 at 08:12

      You are completely right on the discipline part, I didn’t mention that but it is important as well. But also, discipline in the end is just a matter of mind-send, getting over yourself and sticking to what you’ve promised yourself.

      I will most definitely keep creating!

  • Reply

    Rochelle New

    July 24, 2012 at 13:08

    Amazing!! Super adorable pics too :) I really should set a goal like this for myself. Hmmm… I guess I need to learn how to fold paper cranes!

  • Reply

    Loulou

    July 24, 2012 at 17:04

    Just one more of your breathtaking feats my friend. Not only are the cranes wonderful but the photographs you have to display them are stunning. Way to go!

    loulou

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:39

      Thank you Loulou! The credits go to my little sister though, she took most of them :)

  • Reply

    Ariel Tyler

    July 24, 2012 at 17:28

    How fun! They are so fun and so colorful!

  • Reply

    Sara

    July 24, 2012 at 17:39

    “What we need to do is to start and work through this big overwhelming dream by dividing it into tiny chunks by asking ourselves the question: What can I do today?”

    Thank you for this reminder! I often become overwhelmed by huge projects, but you are so right, just start on one small chunk and go from there. I love your crane idea. You are always bringing so much joy to your environment and I absolutely love that and admire you for it.

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:41

      Thank you so much! A lot of the truths in life are pretty simple and obvious. The hardest part is to actually apply them en live accordingly.. ;)

  • Reply

    Chloé

    July 24, 2012 at 19:22

    I am so in love with this. It’s so brilliant that you just wanted to make some (well, and then some) cranes, just because well, you could. And the message alongside… I hope to see more projects like this from you in the futue. <3
    XO

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:41

      I hope so too! I guess I will just continue creating.. so who knows what will follow ;)

  • Reply

    Allie

    July 24, 2012 at 19:22

    i ABSOLUTELY love this! id gladly take one off of your hands!

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:42

      I would love to give you one! I should be able to meet all you lovely bloggers in my town, that would be awesome!

  • Reply

    Chloé

    July 24, 2012 at 20:23

    P.S. If I were to get a crane on a street, I know it would make at the very least my day. I am kind of sulking now that I live very far away with no chance of getting a crane. :)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:44

      That’s great to know! Gives me hope that others will like them as well. I was thinking maybe I should do a giveaway for a few on my blog, because I would love to share them!

  • Reply

    Cate

    July 24, 2012 at 21:09

    This is such an amazing and powerful example of what can be done with just little bits of time over a long period, and how dreams DO happen. Truly awesome, as usual, lady :-)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:45

      Haha thanks. Yes. Most of them were folded in ‘down-time’ like in the train, when my laptop was starting up etc. Can you imagine how much we can accomplish wen we use our time effectively?

  • Reply

    Aizzing

    July 25, 2012 at 08:37

    1000 paper cranes? for real?!
    this is the coolest thing ever! :)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:46

      Yup. For real (in the pictures I had 900 something, but a few days after the shoot I accomplished my goal fully)

  • Reply

    ♥ Jessica

    July 25, 2012 at 13:04

    I’m impressed! And such a fun rainbow of colors.

  • Reply

    Faye

    July 25, 2012 at 14:34

    I’ve just checked out your blog after you commented on mine and I love it, I’m definitely following! The gif of you making a snow angel with the paper cranes is so cute. :)
    Faye x

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:47

      Awesome! Welcome to my blog :) I guess we don’t need snow for that do we ;)

  • Reply

    Kasey Height

    July 25, 2012 at 18:23

    AHH I love this blog! You are so wonderfully and adorably creative :)

  • Reply

    Erica

    July 25, 2012 at 20:21

    1,000?!! Wow! That is quite an accomplishment. Can’t wait to hear the story of how you gave them all away to unsuspecting strangers. :)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:48

      Yeah I am also curious! I was thinking of maybe making a movie about it, that should be fun!

  • Reply

    DianaLuv

    July 26, 2012 at 04:03

    Looool this is the most random goal in the world! They look awesome. I totally want to do the paper crane angel :)

    Im a new follower if you get a chance check out my beauty blog

    dianaluv.blogspot.com

  • Reply

    Beckie

    July 26, 2012 at 04:18

    Marielle, congratulations! : ] This is a pretty big deal and I am so glad you met your goal!
    I wish I lived where you live, because then I would totally pretend to be a stranger so you’d give me a crane haha!

    And I am just in love with your photo session. (I hope you don’t mind that I pinned the heart picture–if you do, I’ll totally take the pin down!) But really and truly awesome pictures. And I’m also loving the blonde hair!

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:51

      If you would live near you could visit me, we could drink coffee and I would personally show you my paper crane treasure before handing one!

      I don’t mind at all as long as a proper sourcing is used! I like how they turned out too, I got some great help from my little sister, who made most of the pictures!

  • Reply

    suzy

    July 26, 2012 at 13:58

    aww!!! that gif is so cute!!!!! way to be. :)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:52

      Thank you! :) (although later I realised I was kind of looking serious.. more serious than intended)

  • Reply

    Serene

    July 27, 2012 at 01:48

    Wow! Folding 1,000 cranes is amazing and so colorful. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. I totally love your blog. You are so creative. I, too, like your blond hair. Great shade of blond on you.

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:52

      Thank you! I kind of need to dye it again, and I will probably won’t have it forever in this colour, but for now it’s fun!

  • Reply

    dani

    July 27, 2012 at 08:32

    These pictures make me so happy! :) Congratulations on reaching your goal – I can’t wait to see what Plan B has in store! <3

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:53

      That in return makes me happy! I am excited about what it might bring as well!

  • Reply

    ginanorma

    July 27, 2012 at 21:55

    ADORABLE, you are the cutest thing EVER!!! And thank you for “pushing” me along to have dreams. I am not one to have them–you inspire me to do so:)

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      July 29, 2012 at 11:55

      Ahh thank you! :D Yes I truly believe it is important to have dreams, but even more important to pursue them! Glad to inspire ;) It means a lot to me hearing that!

  • Reply

    Big Tavel Adventure

    July 30, 2012 at 14:45

    so true

  • Reply

    Big Tavel Adventure

    July 30, 2012 at 14:45

    so true

  • Reply

    BRIGHTLIGHTS

    July 31, 2012 at 20:19

    Cool post and I love all the colors mixed together! And thank your for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!

  • Reply

    Meg

    August 3, 2012 at 05:40

    I love love love that you did this!! I love the photos, too! Xo
    megthecoolgirl.blogspot.com

  • Reply

    Abelia

    August 5, 2012 at 21:31

    I’m so glad you posted on my blog… because now I’ve found yours! Amazing blog and amazing projects you have on here! xx

  • Reply

    Miek

    August 9, 2012 at 17:58

    Waaaaaah, wat gaaf!!!!!! (en wat een werk!)
    Leuk dat je bij me ‘op bezoek’ kwam :) En wat een leuk blog heb je!!
    Groetjes, Miek

  • Reply

    Dorien

    August 10, 2012 at 08:33

    Dit is echt geweldig!

  • Reply

    sparklesness

    August 13, 2012 at 02:59

    beautiful!!!
    i love small acts of kindness and would be thrilled to get a paper crane from a stranger

  • Reply

    Barnicles

    August 20, 2012 at 13:23

    awesome! what paper did you use?

    • Reply

      Magical Day Dream

      August 21, 2012 at 16:35

      regular folding paper. I bought some cheap ones and I still had a lot left before I started. I had some special origami paper as well, but the only thing you really need for the paper is to be square sized ;)

  • Reply

    Stef / Diversions

    August 21, 2012 at 19:39

    Talk about long term planning! The animated gif is the bomb :)

  • Reply

    Kiera Jean

    May 12, 2013 at 21:33

    So inspiring! Thank you! I will complete a few tasks today, without feeling completely overwhelmed! ps. I would LOVE to be one of the lucky strangers to receive one of your paper cranes! Xx

  • Reply

    city in the ciel

    July 2, 2013 at 12:57

    What a great idea! The cranes look so beautiful en masse like that. If I was handed a crane on the street it might make my day! :) – Laura

  • Reply

    Linda

    July 24, 2013 at 19:37

    Did you hand out the cranes today at Eindhoven? Because then I have received one. It was beautiful suprise and I was deeply touched by your message.
    I wasn’t looking forward to get to work, travelling 4.5 hours each day, but this little present made my whole day.
    Also together with a total stranger I found on twitter we were trying to find the story behind it.
    It was a perfect day to reach out

    Thank you

    • Reply

      Magical Daydream

      July 24, 2013 at 21:37

      Yes that was me! :) Today I gave away the last 200 or so. It really means a lot to me that you took the effort to look up my blog and tell me your story. I never know what people think, and can only hope for the best. So to hear your thoughts is truly encouraging and inspiring to me, thank you for that :) I am working on a video right now about the whole process. I hope to have it online on this blog in a couple of days. So if you liked the idea, I bet you will enjoy watching the video too ;)

  • Reply

    Annabel

    October 16, 2013 at 08:09

    Love this idea! I’m part of a Random Act of Kindness group, and our logo is a paper crane – we should do this! Good on you for being awesome!

    • Reply

      Magical Daydream

      October 25, 2013 at 14:40

      That’s so great to hear! I am curious to hear about what kind of projects you do. Do you have a name for your group?

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