One thousand Origami cranes (千 羽 鹤 Senbazuru) is a set of one thousand cranes made of Origami paper (鹤 tsuru) held together by strings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand Origami cranes will have their wish granted by a crane, such as a long life or healing from illness or injury.

This makes them popular as gifts for close friends and family. The Japanese crane is one of the mystical creatures (others include the dragon and the turtle), and is said to live for a thousand years.

Origami (折り紙, from oru, to fold, and kami, paper) is the Japanese name for the art of paper folding. The only requirement for origami is a piece of paper, making it one of the most accessible arts.

Spending time making origami is like a moment of meditation, of mindfulness. It's a great way to take a break during this busy month of December.

Sustainable living starts with lifestyle changes

If you really want to reduce your impact on the environment, start by making small but important lifestyle changes. Small steps are the way to a sustainable and conscious lifestyle.

Avoiding plastic bags or reducing meat consumption may seem insignificant, but these small actions can lead to dramatic changes in the world, as those around you start to follow your example.