Learning from Origami - Lessons I Took From Folding Frogs
Back in December (2017) I completed the #alphabetartchallenge by @tonyr. For "O" I chose to make an origami octopus, and I can safely say that day was the beginning of the end -
the end of a life without origami!
After experiencing the frustration fun of making an origami octopus from a sheet of notebook paper, it was time to take the next steps on my origami journey. So I acquired a package of square sheets in 3 sizes and many colors with the mindset of
Fold them all! No mistakes, no worries!
These frogs were made in one sitting.
The lighter green (left) was made first, then the darker green (right).
The first frog I made has a taller stance, mostly from making a few wrong folds and before getting it right. It represents what happens when attention to detail is overlooked.
My mind was not 100% on the origami, I had one of those annoying internal voices attempting to distract me with some useless anxiety. As a result - oh no! Wrong turn.
Reminders taken from this stop on the origami journey:
To avoid dismay, pay full attention to the task at hand.
I will arrive at the destination, even if I make a wrong turn along the way.
The second frog has a neater, shorter appearance thanks to its tidy creases. It represents discipline and thoughtfulness.
While folding this frog, I was focused on demonstrating improvement to myself. I silenced the unnecessary internal voice and took special care to make crisp creases.
This bit of discipline paid off. Once the second frog was finished, I remembered this:
When I focus on the moment I'm in, I arrive at my destination with greater ease.
I'm happy with these frogs, and I'm already looking forward to the next origami creation!
What kind of conversations do you have with yourself?
Do you practice any rituals that help you maintain or regain focus?
Want to make your own version of these frogs?
Jumping Frog Instructions
Recent ENH posts for your perusal:
Last Rites of January's Bee
Origami Journey - Small Yellow Butterfly
Thanks for stopping by!
☺
The doodled lines look perfect on them! Awesome little frogs. Sometimes my mind drifts off due to discussing philsophy within myself too deeply. Then I realise that it had nothing to do with my drawing, so I cut myself off, a few times ugh, and continue to work on what I was doing 😝
You know I love the doodles!
Yes, discussing philosophy with self can be a real distraction. One door leads to another, leads to a window, next thing you know you're not even on the same continent of thought anymore. Now I know I'm not the only one who drifts out too far :]
One door leads to another, leads to a window, next thing you know you're not even on the same continent of thought anymore.
Exactly this, haha, even out of the universe sometimes.
working creative trough drawing, painting etc. can really be a meditational process. I love this, it helps me relax :)
It certainly does! That's why I doodle so much aswell.
The great thing is you can come back to doodling/ drawing any time even if you take a breake.
I like your style @benja
Oh yay!! I love origami!
Origami is a lot of fun, isn't it! Thanks for having a look at the frogs.
Cute frogs, made with love and nice doodles. Folding and drawing helps you to increase your attention span too.
Really liking these new little art experiments, and that your stay adding your own flair to the papers :) Pretty soon your gonna have a wall full of animals like me hahahahaha
Adding a twist on tradition is a lot of fun! I've been throwing mine in an old cardboard box. One day though, they might just end up in a bigger, more elaborate piece. "Paper animal collector" - is there an official title for that??
Love color of your frogs. My daughter loves origami . I'm going show her how you did a frog. I'm glad I found your blog. I like your colorful mandala. I agree it gives you felling of hot Spanish color. Followed by @motherearthist
Love &Peace from Spain.
Thank you for the love and peace. Please do share this frog with your daughter. It has a bonus feature too, when you push down gently on the rear of the frog it makes a little hop! I appreciate you leaving your comment - thank you for the follow! If you like color, you found the right place ☺
I'll be honest I have the worst conversations with myself.
Walk a day.
Oh artwatch. How many miles have you walked on the "better-conversation-with-myself" side? It's not so bad. But know that I pass no judgement on you, I have yet to walk your day.
I keep myself firmly tethered to reality while at the same time fervently denying it. We can be our own worst enemies I suppose. As I get older - I have a bigger cheerleader inside with a louder voice than she did before. Still, not all the voices cheer me on.
I'm not an expert on the matter, but (I think?) I'm a few years ahead of you in age. From what I can tell so far, all the voices will never cheer one on - unless one lives in denial. When we figure out how to 'outsmart' those negative voices and let our cheerleader lead the way, life tends to become more enjoyable. Not any easier, but definitely more enjoyable.
At least, that's the way I see the situation (LIFE) from where I'm standing now. It's been a lot worse, and it's getting better all the time. Thanks for listening to my personal philosophy ramble. Have yourself a productive Tuesday, HR! ☺♥
I fear my focus knob is always a bit 'wiggly' on the frontous piece of the concentration control console unit. (Looks a bit like a 1979 Marantz stereo receiver, only smaller). Though if I concentrate here, I think my mantra is some sort of a "focus, FOCUS" thing, cutting through the fog to the source of the problem at hand. Though that free-form thinking is often what branches into other areas of un-tapped creativity. So...I guess I kind of let it go. Like this comment here ( :
I DO like both your frogs though. Very spiffy, even the taller one. I just think of frog number one as a more adapted frog for ponds with larger pebbles to step over, on the way to bug-lunch course #127. That tried and true saying...."If the world don't fit, change the world as we see it."
(I still have a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Octopaper)
Free-form thinking, I see. It's not always encouraged, but you may be on to something! :]
Yeah, the tall frog didn't even look tall or janky until the short one came along and shattered his reality. More sea life coming soon!
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