Category Archives: Inspirations

Inspirational art, photo and writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

On Contentment

On Contentment

contentmentA Quote to Carry You

July 6, 2015

“Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.”  Pearl S. Buck

On contentment – Contentment has as many different meanings as there are people.  For some, it means acquiring material items, for others, like me, it has more to do with time and how we use it.  Regardless of what it is that we seek in order for us to be content, I believe contentment has a deeper meaning.  I say that because in general, it seems that the more we have of something, the more we want of it.  Of course, the more we have of something, often times the more responsibility and care we must impart to keep and maintain it.  After a while, we become less and less contented with the very thing we sought contentment from…and we move on seeking after something else, and on it goes.

I believe that contentment is more of a state of mind where we can be contented no matter what we have or how much of it we have.  I invite you to join me this week and explore this theme of contentment.  I believe you will, like me, realize that true contentment has little to do with our outside circumstances, and everything to do with what’s inside of us.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Amazing Love

Amazing Love

My great-nephew, Ryder Cullen Stevens. Congratulations Alexia and Jeff! Photograph courtesy of my sister Marjorie Karimi.

Amazing love – There have been many stories written about a love bond so strong that words cannot even come close to describing it…that’s not just love, that’s amazing love!

“I have never been so in love.”  Alexia D. Karimi (speaking about her newly born baby boy, Ryder Cullen)

My family and I have had the pleasure of welcoming our new addition, my great-nephew Ryder Cullen, to the world a week ago.  His arrival came a little sooner than we’d expected, but we are exceedingly happy to welcome him nonetheless!  I’ll admit, when I woke up to the news that our long-awaited bundle of blessings had been born, I felt as excited as a little child on Christmas morning!  We knew what he looked like from the sonographic images that my niece Alexia shared with us throughout her pregnancy, but my first glimpse of the photographs of him shortly after he’d been delivered simply took my breath away.  It was most definitely love at first sight!

Amazing love certainly has a way of doing that.  It touches us in such a profound way.  It seems to mesmerize us and it only grows deeper and stronger as time goes on.  Although I certainly consider the love that Ryder’s parents, Alexia and Jeff, feel towards their precious baby boy to be that kind of love, I can’t help but think of another amazing love that is even greater than that.  When God so richly blessed my family with this little life, he surely showered his love upon us.  As little Ryder grows, that love will increase many times over as we get to share in it over the years.  What is even more amazing to me is that, because of the love that God showed towards all mankind through the birth, death and resurrection of his son Jesus, we all have the opportunity to share in our love for each other not just here, but throughout all eternity…amazing isn’t it?

Amazing love, God has for me,

a love he freely shares.

One that surpasses the veils of time,

no other love compares.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

May you consider what blessings await you when you embrace God’s amazing love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Peace and love,

Felecia

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All Blessings Flow

All blessings flow

Photograph by Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

All blessings flow from God above and their purposes are sure…

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights…” James 1:17

All Blessings Flow

All blessings flow from God above,

no matter what we do.

They can’t be bought, they can’t be earned;

they show the greatness of God’s love for you.

All blessings flow from God above,

and their purposes are sure.

They have a way of perfecting our hearts;

so that there is nothing we can’t endure.

All blessings flow from God above,

they are filled with love and peace, never strife.

They come in many ways, in all shapes and sizes.

What blessings have you experienced in your life?

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Indeed, all blessings do flow from God above, and many of them are easy to see all around us.  They are brilliantly displayed in nature, they come at just the right moment, and often times they come in ways we’ve never expected.

Why not take a moment to ponder the ways in which God has blessed you in your life…and offer up thanks and praise to him.  When you think about it, being able to do that is a blessing in itself!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Blessings

On Blessings

blessingsA Quote to Carry You

June 29, 2015

“Reflect upon your present blessings–of which every man has many–not on your past misfortunes, in which all men have some.”  Charles Dickens, from A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

On blessings – I have so much to be grateful for, blessings abound all around me. Sometimes they are hard to see – not because they are not there, but because I fail to notice them.  Reflecting on the quote above made me realize that when we do fail to notice our blessings, they are not really considered blessings to us at all.  What a pity that is.

May you take the time today, and every day, to embrace and enjoy each blessing in your life to the full…I think you’ll be amazed at how bless you truly are.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Always Looking Up

Always looking up

Photograph courtesy of my nephew Zachary T. Weber

Always looking up literally gives me the lift that I need to accomplish what I have set out to do…

“Let us consider the way in which we live our lives.”  Henry David Thoreau

Always looking up – Have you ever considered how you actually live your life?  Are you always looking up? Or are you always looking down?  Of course, the majority of you will answer, “sometimes I look up and sometimes I look down”…and you are wise to do so.  My question however, goes a bit deeper than that.  For me, always looking up has more to do with my attitude about life rather than simply peering into a bright blue sky.  Although, a bright, sunlit sky can help motivate me to make more positive choices, no doubt.

It is interesting how looking upward, or taking a step forward for that matter, seems to signal positivity or expectancy of something good.  I’ve noticed that I often look up into space when I am concentrating on a particular thought or trying to focus my attention solely on one idea.  Whether I’ve dashed upstairs to get something, and forgotten what it was I went to retrieve once I’ve gotten their, or if I am trying to find the words to portray an idea in a post, looking up seems to lift me to a different level.  It is as though I am somehow transported to a place where I can clear my mind and find exactly what I am looking for.  Always looking up literally gives me the lift that I need to accomplish what I have set out to do no matter how large or small the task is.

When I am having one of those days where things seem to keep piling up and weighing me down, just bowing my head and caving in can be very tempting.  However, that will not keep things from continuing on their downward spiral.  In fact, they will likely bring me down even further.  When I am faced with such situations, I find that always looking up, to say a quiet prayer or to let out a desperate cry for help, puts me in the perfect posture to receive the help that I need, (which always comes from God above anyway).

I’ll ask the question again…going forward in life, how will you live, always looking up, or always looking down?  The answer may be challenging…may you soon realize, as I have, that always looking up is always best.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Through the Fire

Through the fire

Photograph courtesy of my niece Leia Gabrielle

Through the fire, tried and true…how will you go through the fires that have ignited in your life?

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Isaiah 43:2

Through the Fire

Through the fire, tried and true…

the path that life has forged just for you.

Its heat seems unbearable,

how it scorches and burns.

There seems no way to quench it,

it’s all consuming, above any other concerns.

Flames ignite into a ferocious blaze.

Soon it surrounds you like a maddening daze.

Suddenly, with only seconds to spare,

you are swept from the rage that has caused such despair.

When you open your eyes, your heart now steady and calm,

a peace washes over you like the sweetest balm.

Your scars have faded, your wounds are now healed…

through the fire, many truths to you God has revealed.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

Unpleasant circumstances may start out as flickering little annoyances, but if we let them, they can grow into uncontrollable flames that seem to engulf our entire lives.  The harder we try to contain the fiery elements of the situation, the more rapidly they ignite into something we cannot possibly extinguish on our own.  At that point we have two choices.  We can go through the fire alone and risk being burned up in the process.  Or, we can cry out for help, be rescued and brought to safety.  Although the right choice seems obvious, impatience, stubbornness and pride can make all the difference in how we choose to go through the fire.

When the flames of life intensify and surround you…how will you go through the fire?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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On Living Deeply

On Living Deeply

living deeplyA Quote to Carry You

June 22, 2015

“The universe is wider than our view of it.”  Henry David Thoreau

On living deeply – Summer has arrived, a whole new season has blossomed right before our eyes.  Isn’t it amazing how no matter what is going on in our daily lives, the cycle of nature silently revolves, uninterrupted and consistently.  Outside my den window right now, the trees are adorned with vibrant shades of green leaves swaying ever so gently in the mild breeze.  It is as though they are whispering a song of welcome to the new season.  In three short months time, those same branches will be splattered with hints of red and golden hues signaling that autumn is fast approaching.  Their leaves will surely rustle and clamor to a different tune by then.  I only hope that, like today, I will take the time to pause and receive the beautifully fascinating gift that God has created and bestowed upon us.

Living deeply, experiencing our world in the profound way that it deserves…can you imagine how much more valuable your own life would be if you do just that?

Peace and love,

Felecia

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Something About Being a Father

Being a father

Photograph by Feleica R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

There’s something about being a father…to his family he is their  protector, provider and friend.

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”  Sigmund Freud

Something About Being a Father

There’s something about being a father,

to his family he is their protector, provider and friend.

There is nothing that he will keep from his precious ones,

for a father’s responsibility…does it ever end?

There’s something about being a father,

his love swells when he gazes into his child’s eyes.

A father provides instruction, guidance and encouragement;

his character imparts a steadfast integrity; never will he compromise.

There’s something about being a father,

by setting a consistent and honorable example he leads.

No matter what circumstances hurl themselves at their lives,

a father unselfishly strives to meet his family’s needs.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

My best wishes to all father, for a very Happy Father’s Day!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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