great thoughts! thank you, dixie and cherry, for our special group, too!!

I am going through such an identity issue right now (and most of my life) and wondering why I feel what I do so strongly and why I find I’m so alone in this in my community, so I deduce that there must be something wrong with me.

From such a very young age I’ve always felt such a deep sense of responsibility and always took on the tough stuff for others over my self, even if I didn’t know what I was doing. Some call it bravery, some call it stupid, some call it a waste of time, but I call it necessity.

I’ve been praying and asking for help in this issue. Should I numb myself and hide away, should I scream and yell, should I be somewhere else, am I where I should be, and what is the point?

Then I open this post and I sit in a bit of shock. I am so touched by your writing. And then the quote and words that you have posted and how they have resonated in me to make so much sense. My prayer has been answered and either you have picked up on what I needed to hear, or God is using you to give me this message (I am open to all possibilities).

The message is letting me know that I’m okay just the way that I am and everything is going to be okay. I feel like a window has been opened and fresh air has come in. I don’t feel like punching anymore.

I need to copy your post and keep it close for a while as it has been very moving for me. We don’t always have the answers, but sometimes we just need the reassurances to keep going on the path of who we are. This has been a very beautiful gift that you have given me today, friend. I am so very very glad that I have met you. All of you have been pivitol in my personal and physical growth.

Happy Thanksgiving, buddies
Angela

This is all so lovely to read. Thank you Kim and Angela...two beautiful, wonderful hens! This group has given me so much. The feeling of safety when I come here is the best gift of all.

Love all our wonderful, caring hens...
Xoxo

i am new here but what i have been reading has made me see i belong here and i am very thankfull for having found you all....................when i was growing up my frends were people who were being picked on or abused in school or at home or just around towen ..................i felt there pain and i was all about how others felt didnt have time for how i felt ...............i often wondered why i was that way but couldent be eney diferent i cared to much ........i think that this caring so deapley for everyone i ever come in contact with and especualy my family members cousins included is part of why i am deperesed ..............but like you say i wouldent change that in me that cares so much for others ..................i wish i could make those who are hurting others to care i use to try to do that to when i was young untill i learnt better .................i hope i havent said to much i am just tuched by what you had to say and i never heard eneyone else say that befor .................thankyou ................

This is such a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do. Thank you so much Dixie.

Angela, you are ok, my dear. And never think any other way. You are so very special to your Hen's and I am sure also to your friends other than this special Hen House. Never, ever, sell yourself short.....no matter what you want to call it.....you are needed and appreciated.

Kim,

You said it all in your post........so point on! We all know that you are such a caring and loving person. Never let anyone have you think any different and if they try..........ignore them. They are wrong and you have to know it.

Hugs to all the wonderful Hen's.

Since this post, I've been thinking about compassion and how it has played a role in my life and the people around and why I turn to this group so often, and it is because you guys are so naturally compassionate yourselves. Even though we are very unique and special individuals, and pain* was our 'initial' common demonimator, we banded a deeper friendship based on mutual respect. I don't like to create absolutes and announce that we are about compassion, because we are all complex and forever evolving, but I would say that this topic is something that many of us relate to on a personal nature. It shows in how we surround each other in love and kindness in a time of need, regardless of how bad we feel at the time.

It is truly a beautiful thing to be present amoung you all.

*footnote about pain - there is no reason to be a part of this group, other than you just want to be.

Hippytoo, I love you picture of the furbuddies. Are those yours!
Dixie, Is that your cat, for real!

Well said Enigma:) and no that is not my cat. I have pics of my cats in my photos:)