I have heard people say, “I hate my life.” Perhaps many of us have felt this way at some time. But what does this mean?
In the evening when I secure my chickens in their coop for the night to keep them safe from predators, we say our evening prayers. We pray to sleep well and warm, to be healthy and whole, and to be free from harm.
On some tough days, I may add, “Help us to love the life we have been given.”
This time last year, I had taken in Emily and Amelia, two refugee chickens. Every day they were accustomed to having time to run and fly free out in the country with a large double lot backyard.
I wondered if they were thinking “My life is miserable now.”
At first, I built a small temporary coop and run for just Emily and Amelia, then I worked on a large one to hold all six chickens. It was rather confining for the two of them, and not large enough for me to get inside and become better acquainted with them.
They were just a few feet away from the coop and run for Gracie, Bessie, Blanche, and Pearl. So they did have a chance to get used to seeing each other and talking with each other. They all began to sound more alike as “country chicken” and “city chicken” dialects blended.
When the large new coop and run were completed, it was finally time to join everyone together into one flock in their new home.
Emily moved in first. She seemed to panic a bit because she was separated from Amelia for the first time ever, but that was only for a few minutes. Her curiosity took over and she began exploring.
Amelia moved in next. When I picked her up she felt much lighter than I had expected. Later I realized she likes to fluff out her feathers for extra warmth and also to look bigger and braver than she really might be.
When I placed her down inside her new home, she didn’t run off to see what Emily was doing. Instead, she looked up at me and hopped straight up into the air. She hopped no more than six inches off of the ground which was all her plump little body would allow without any extra wing-flapping.
This was her way of saying, “Please pick me up and hold me.” In a single moment, she had captured my heart forever.
Having Emily and Amelia join our backyard flock helped me see how “my life” means several different things.
There is “my life which others have made for me.” This is based on the choices others have made. Some have had our best interests at heart, but others have not. This was Emily and Amelia moving from the country to the city.
There is “my life which I have made.” This is based on the choices we have made, the things we have done and left undone. This was Emily and Amelia being friends for each other and eventually Gracie and the others.
Finally there is “my life which I have been given.” This is based on who we are deep inside. It is made of those things which will always be there regardless of the choices others make for us or we make for ourselves. This was Emily and Amelia before they even hatched.
“My life which I have been given” is a wellspring of hope when we tap into it. This is who we are at our core whether we are free or confined, rich or poor, sick or healthy. It is who we are before people and circumstances begin to shape us or before we even begin to shape ourselves. This was what made Amelia need to be picked up and held. This was what made me need to pick her up and hold her too.
Perhaps we are most content when “the life others have made for us” and “the life we have made for ourselves” work in harmony with “the life we have been given.” But that isn’t always possible. Nevertheless, we can help and encourage each other along the way.
My Life With Gracie (and Emily and Amelia) helped me to think more deeply about the life I have been given.
Making new illustrations which will work better in print is taking some time. Hopefully you can see a difference in this Illustration and the one from last Saturday. Each post shares a glimpse into my journey as a writer and illustrator. Every “Like,” “Follow,” and “Comment” is truly appreciated!
My Life With GraciePress 
Everytime I read your post, I get something new to learn.
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Thank you, Kenisha. I appreciate that, and so do my chickens!
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Life is, many times, what happens when we’ve made other plans.
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So very true. I’ve found things seldom work out as I have planned them!
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Wonderful! 💜
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Thank you, Alisia! So glad you enjoyed reading!
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And when my life seems miserable, let me realize I am being safely held even if it doesn’t seem so…
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Thank you so much for these words. They are a perfect heart-felt ending to our evening prayers. Thanks again, John.
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And one can only hope to come back in the next life as one of your chickens.
Another great lesson! Thank you and hello to the girls! 🙂
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I appreciate that so much. For me, there are so often days when I feel as though I will be swept away by the challenges of each new day. Then I greet my girls in the morning, and they walk down their ladder to face the world with renewed hope.
They never give up, as I am too inclined to do. They are so much more attuned to “the life they have been given” while I am still slogging my way through “the life others have made for me” and “the life I have made for myself.”
Thanks again!
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Your girls live in the here and now…. something the rest of us often forget to do.
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You are so very very very correct!
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Gracie’s neighborhood continues to grow. It is keeping the carpenter busy.
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Yes, indeed! Thanks!
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I always enjoy your posts–both cartoons and text. Keep up the good work.
Blessings,
Tricia
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Thanks so much, Tricia. I appreciate your encouragement so much. You are one of the people who keeps me going! Thanks again! John
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Your art and post writings – a delight always.
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Thank you so much. My chickens and I appreciate your encouraging words. It seems to be taking longer and longer to get the art and words just right. It truly helps to know when we have touched someone’s life. Sincerely, John
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Your stories, your lessons, and your artwork are appreciated. I notice the artwork is deeper colors this week.
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Yes, thank you for noticing! Gracie says my color palette needs to be full of colors that go well with their feathers, and who am I to argue?!? Thanks for reading and thanks for your encouragement!
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You are welcome. I may or may not have if you hadn’t asked. Colors that go well with their feathers makes sense and I’m sure they feel honored by it.
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Yes your pictures are the richer for your new focus in color. I love that Amelia asked to be picked up. She must have known it was safe to do so. Asking for help and support is an art we al need to get better at.
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You do have a way with words. I wish you had been around when my kids was young. Thankfully you are for my grandkids …I loved this story as much as they did. Good work.lucky Gracie.
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Connetta, thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate so much that you shared this with your grandchildren. I’m not sure who my reading audience is as far as adults or children or in-betweens. You’ve given me hope that what I write isn’t limited to a single age group! Thank you again so much! John
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What a beautiful story! I love that Amelia asked to be held. What trust and love she had for you! I love that chickens are always in the present moment. They have taught me so many life lessons. I love reading about the life lessons you are learning.
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Amelia is a truly special chicken. But then all chickens are special in their own unique way. I never imagined each would have their own unique personality and behaviors. You are exactly right about chickens being in the present moment! They don’t worry about any of the things I’m inclined to worry about! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Best wishes for health and happiness to you and yours!
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