Merry Christmas!

On this Christmas Day: I hope your Christmas is special with family & friends. I hope the excitement of your children fills your heart with joy. I hope your Christmas is merry & bright and filled with love. Thank you for all the love and support you've given me in my creative endeavors.  It means the world to me.

Merry Christmas to you & yours!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

benitacharles.com

Thank you for your heartfelt prayers!

Dear Friends:

A special thanks to all my family, friends and fans who expressed their concern and prayers to me during Hurricane Sandy! It means so much to me that you took the time to show you care. I'm doing well and I appreciate your thoughts and heartfelt prayers! Let us continue to pray for those who have suffered during these turbulent times.

Much love,

Benita Charles Music
benitacharles.com

Spreading love through music for your inspiration & entertainment!

Don't Block Your Blessings!

Benita's Lesson of the Day: "Don't block your blessings!"

I recently had an opportunity that presented itself to me.  Instead of taking that opportunity and running with it, I said no to it and walked away.  Immediately after I walked away, I regretted that decision. I spent the last couple of days after that experience kicking myself about it.

Now that I've forgiven myself, I can focus on the take-away from that experience.  That is: "Don't block you blessings!"  Instead of embracing the opportunity, I thought about all the reasons why it wouldn't work and I talked myself out of accepting the blessing.(Who's to say I couldn't deal with obstacles when they arise?)  I know now not to do that.  Whatever future obstacles I think will happen, I will deal with them when they happen.  I will allow the blessing to happen.

The funny things about lessons, they make so much sense after the fact.  But, if we learn something positive from them, it makes the growing pains so much more worth it!

Much Love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

Remembering 9/11/2001.

Today, we remember: 9/11/2001.

I wrote this song in remembrance of 9.11.01: "We Can Make A Difference" by Benita Charles.

http://soundcloud.com/benita-charles-music/we-can-make-a-difference

Happy Father's Day!

I'd like to wish all the wonderful dads a Happy Father's Day!

The 10 levels of Affirming by Che Garman

Here's a great article on affirmations by Che Garman of "Affirm Your Life."


It may seem strange to refer to affirmations as being either positive or negative, but both levels exist. However, most people seem to refer to negative affirmations as negative self-talk, and positive affirmations simply as affirmations. I suppose that no one wants to admit to consciously affirming the negative, although we all do this on a regular basis.


Going directly from negative self-talk to positive affirming can cause problems. Recent studies have found that people with low self-esteem may actually feel worse after using positive affirmations. The reason for this is not so surprising. It is only natural that the subconscious mind will offer resistance to suggestions which contradict reality. We need to approach change gradually.

Understanding the different levels on which our beliefs reside can alleviate this problem and make change happen more quickly in the long term. By determining where our current beliefs lie, we can progress forward at a comfortable pace and achieve permanent results.



To read the full article, visit: http://bit.ly/oPqxN

"Don't quit before you start!"

I had an insignificant event happen to me yesterday that made me realize this lesson of "don't quit before you start."

I had to replace my cell phone.  The new phone arrived and because I was unsure of how to replace my memory stick and SIM card, I went to the Verizon corporate store to let the "professionals" handle it.  The strange thing is the "professional" didn't seem to sure of what he was doing but I didn't question it too much because after he reactivated the phone, everything seemed okay.  However, when I took the phone home, it kept stating that the SIM card was missing.  I watched the professional put a card in the back of my phone and I was assuming it was what was needed.  Although this kept happening with the phone, I would take the card out of the phone and put it back in but that didn't solve the problem.  Well, it was getting close to the time when I had to return the old phone so I decided to do that and then I went to the Verizon store to see what was the problem.  I was thinking, "do I have to get a new phone to replace the replacement phone?" That's crazy! I went back to the Verizon corporate store to have my phone looked at.  I told the salesperson that I watched the "professional" put the card in my new phone.  She said he put the international card in but not the memory stick." I said, "Oh no! It has all my pictures and personal information" She then asked, Where's your old phone?" "I sent it back tonight," I said sheepishly. She said, "Do you think you can get it back?"  "I'll try!" I said.  I wasn't sure if I was going to get the phone back or not because it was Fed Ex that I took it to and I know they are fast.  But, I was determined to try.  For a split second I had the mind to just forget about it.  It was probably too late, I rationed. But then, I said to myself.  You have to at least try it.  What's the worst that can happen?  I'd have to call Verizon and try to track the phone on Tuesday when it arrived.  That was the longest subway ride back to 59th  Street from 34th Street.  It took an hour because of train construction.  I was praying really hard that the phone was still at the store.  The great news is the phone was still there after an hour I turned it in and the staff was able to get my memory stick from the old phone and placed it in my new phone.  I was so excited to get all my information back!

The take-away lessons I learned from this was don't give up before you try.  If had assumed that the phone was gone, I would have missed out on getting all my personal information back and I would have risked the chance of never retrieving it.  But, because I followed through, I was able to get the information I needed.

This is true in life also.  In whatever you do, you have to try.  If it doesn't work out the way you want it, it's okay because you tried and you'll definitely learn something for the next time.  Or, it just might work out (as in my case).

Good luck and don't give up before you try!

-- Benita Charles Music
benitacharles.com

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

Happy Mother's Day!!  Wishing you an enjoyable day for all you do for the children of the world.

Happy Easter!

Dear Friends:

I would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Easter!

Much Love,

Benita Charles Music

Spreading love through music for your entertainment & inspiration!

benitacharles.com

Lessons of Love on Valentine’s Day

At my "Moments In Love" show, I asked long-term couples to give us their advice on longevity. Here's their answers that I thought we could all learn from: trust, forgiveness, sense of humor, gratitude, you and me against the world motto, and music (a favorite song you share together).

I wish you & yours a very Happy Valentine’s Day and much love!

Remembering Whitney Houston

I am so shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Whitney Houston. She is definitely one of my all time favorite singers and had one of the greatest voices of all time. She inspired me to be a singer. Her voice will go down in history as one of the greatest.

I send my heartfelt prayers to her family.

It's such a tragic loss that words can't express how I feel. I really thought she would pull through. I really didn't think her life would end this way.

We have so many beautiful memories to remember her by. I will focus on those memories and recordings of her gift.

No more suffering, Whitney. You can rest in peace now.

Breaking News - 2/11/12:
Singing superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46355482

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Today, we honor a man who dreamed of a better life for all. He taught us that one person can make a difference! Happy Martin Luther King Day!

http://www.thekingcenter.org/

Happy New Year - 2012!

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year - 2012!!! I wish you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May all your dreams come true!

Thank you so much for your continued support of my creative endeavors. There will be more exciting events and new music this year! I'll keep you posted.

Much love,

Benita Charles Music
"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

benitacharles.com


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AS I CLOSE THE DOOR

Dear Lord, as I close the door on the old year,
I ponder the things I've done...
the things I've said and the joys I've had
I wonder, have I lost or won?

I've thought of new friends I have made,
and the old ones, staunch and true...
the paths of the old year made easier, Lord,
because I have walked them with You

I think of all the many times,
when my burdens were so heavy to bear,
and how my faith slipped away from me
but somehow You were always there

Now, as I open the door to this New Year,
and carefully peep inside,
I wonder what it holds for me...
but I'll throw the door open wide.

Whatever it brings to me and mine,
I'll meet it with a heart so true...
I know that, Lord, whatever it may be,
You'll be there to carry me through!

--Merrei Thompson