If a translucent, azure marble makes its way into the palm of your hand, it could have come from just about anywhere: India, Fiji, Australia, Mexico, Canada, New York, or Orcas Island.

But its message is universal: commit random acts of ocean kindness.

The Blue Marbles Movement is a pay it forward, worldwide campaign to raise awareness of the ocean through the gift of tiny blue marbles made of recycled glass. If you receive one, the directions are simple: commit a random act of ocean kindness. Pass it along within 24 hours with the message to do the same, and around and around the marbles will go.

There are well over 100,000 marbles circling the planet. Participants are invited to share their story with photos or video at www.bluemarbles.org (there are already quite a few Orcas residents’ photos on the site) or on Facebook, Twitter, youtube, or Flickr. The best stories and images will be compiled in honor of Jacques Cousteau’s 100th birthday on June 11.

Started by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, the project has spread quickly, with an initial goal of 1,000,000 blue marbles being passed from person to person to person.

Ginny Lu Wood, owner of Wood’s Cove in Eastsound, ordered 25 pounds of marbles, and she’s already gone through half her stash. She has handed them out to visitors in her shop, local teachers, parents, and others who have either shown kindness towards the sea or plan to do so. Wood’s Facebook page has dozens of photos of her blue marble recipients.

“What impresses me is how much joy that this evokes,” she said. “It’s a very joyful movement. It has totally taken on a life of its own.”

Wood says islanders have done a variety of things to help out the ocean, including cleaning up a boat wreck, bringing beach trash to the transfer station (where it can be dropped off for free), and removing styrofoam from the water. The Episcopal Church has announced a plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent.

Wood says the transfer station has a bucket of blue marbles to give out, and they keep a log of who brings in beach trash.

“It’s about keeping the marbles moving, and keeping oceans in the front of our minds,” Wood said. “It can be as simple as composting and using less plastic. You don’t physically have to do something. It’s about keeping our consciousness on the blue planet. Everyone at the Exchange got a blue marble because they are recycling so much plastic that is not going into the ocean.”

Get your own blue marbles to share with others

For more information or to order marbles, visit www.bluemarbles.org. You can also visit Wood’s Cove for a handful of marbles.