Greatings & Readings & Me!

This past Saturday, August 27th, at Greetings & Readings was excellent! I was happy to finally be able to match up voices with a face. The Greetings & Readings Staff was pleasant and accomodating.

Hurricane Irene made me wonder if anyone would be inside this great store. Fortunately, the storm didn't scare everyone away. I met plenty of people at the Beauty in Pain Book Signing.  Success! I was able to sign books and take pictures, as planned.

Thank you to the entire Greetings & Readings staff, as well as everyone else that braved the storm! We had a great time and you made the trip worth it!


*Posts you may enjoy:

My Beauty in Pain Review - Part I
Reasons To Love Beauty in Pain
Victory Is Yours!
WEAA & Me!

WEAA & Me!

My radio interview on WEAA 88.9 FM was great! I would like to personally thank "Cool Vibes" host, Sandi Mallory, as well as the station for having me. It was wonderful speaking about Beauty in Pain. Ms. Mallory led the interview with absolute grace. I was sincerely happy to be a part of it all.

We briefly spoke about each part of Beauty in Pain. Ms. Mallory also eloquently read from the back cover. The entire experience was exciting and I hope you were able to listen to it.

I'd like to do more interviews. We'll see what's next!


*Posts you may enjoy:

AliceBenton.com
Favorite Teachers
Greatness

Roads Travelled

Lately, some events have left me thinking about the roads less travelled. Typically speaking, it isn't necessarily a good path less taken, that's why it is occupied by few. Although, there is another reason fewer people walk on any given road--fear.

Remember as you pick which way to walk that everything isn't for everybody. There are truly some things you need to do alone. There are also places that are not meant for all of the people you want to take. Your path may not be smooth, but it will embrace you and make you stronger with each step.

Don't allow a particular road to distract you from where you should be simply because it's heavily populated. It may be scary to venture out on your own, however, if that's what you need to do, do it. You are not alone and life waits for no man or woman.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Distractions
Misery
Persuasion and Permission

Obstacles

Obstacles seem to be everywhere. The more you attempt to be positive, the more negative things seem to pop up. Apparently, it's true, opposites do attract. 

If you know what you are doing is right, put your blinders on and proceed. Focus extra hard on your task at hand. Charge forward knowing obstacles are simply hurdles you need jump. Look at them as challenges. Never stop praying and simply do what you've got to do, which is bring your A game!

*Posts you may enjoy:

Greatness

Positivity

Victory Is Yours!

Dream Big

Have you ever envisioned a personal goal? Have you received confirmation from God to move forward? Have you been excited about sharing that dream?

Many of us have big ideas on how to improve the quality of our lives. Once we become ready to execute a plan, we often share it, only to find out those closet to us have no faith in it. This can be devastating depending on who it is telling you to stop playing games. Yes, it is bad not to be shown support, but that doesn't mean you're not supported or loved. People in your inner circle will come around, albeit slowly.

You need to understand that it's possible that your dreams are so far out of the realm of their reality that they can't picture it. God gave you clarity in the situation because it belongs to you. All things will become more clear to your family and friends as you reach your individuals goals.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Ideas Should Materialize
Victory Is Yours!
Words

Talk To Your Children

It's very important to talk to your children. You can mix the conversation up a bit, but make sure you mention the really important things. Believe it or not they are listening.

Often, when talking to a child, it appears if they are not paying attention. That body language is not only offensive to adults, but discouraging. Don't be deterred! There are times when children seem like they are blocking out your voice, but the truth is it's getting to them whether they like it or not. Miracles do happen, and as the parent, sometime the miracle is you.

In fact, give them some time. Your varied messages will sink in and become a part of them. Eventually, your child will prove to you that they were listening. You'll quite possibly be shocked and amazed, but all will be right in your world.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Communication
Difficult Relationships
Friends & Followers
Honoring Your Children

AliceBenton.com

I am excited to announce that AliceBenton.com is now available! My website is a place created to showcase my creativity. It will keep you up to date on what's going on with me.

AliceBenton.com offers quick updates about products, photos, upcoming events and more. Please continue to check the site for updates because this is just the beginning. I'm happy about it and feel inspired and I hope you will be too. AliceBenton.com acts as an all access pass! You can see my latest tweets, as well as updates from my Facebook Fan Page. You can even get to Myspace from there.                                       

Do not hesitate to check out my website and please share it with family and friends. Also, sign the Guestbook and let me know you were there. Blessings always...

*Posts you may enjoy:

A Weekend in Maryland!
My Beauty in Pain Review Part I
The Black Love Book Discussion

What’s Your Demon?

Are you a fiend for something? What’s your demon? Is it drugs? Sex? Or even shopping? Or maybe it’s something else for you. These things or demons prey on basic human weakness. They tend to unleash a mischievous spirit among our lives and a willingness to be bad for it. Once that awful behavior is set free, it wreaks havoc that manifest in countless negative ways.

Some will lose friends, loved ones and jobs. Others will take on vast financial burdens because of the habits they must keep. And, others will suffer the fate of a slow and agonizing death, due to a compromised body and health issues. The ramifications can not only be crippling, they can stagnate all things positive. 

Your demons must be checked! They attempt to remove you from God through servitude because you can only serve one master at a time. Ask yourself who or what are you serving.

A sermon I listened to once said that the devil can only get to you in three ways. 1) Through your body’s senses 2) Temptation and 3) Pride, which means it all comes down to discipline.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Discipline

God is Love

Persuasion & Permission

Reach For Him

Confusion

Ever attempt to do too many things? I'm sure you have. Now-a-days, we're all used to multitasking at high levels. Most things are handled with no problem, yet, there is another small percentage of vital decisions that may leave you feeling confused.

When you are filled with confusion stop what you're doing. Take a moment to clear your head so that  you can proceed in a better manner. This small timeout will ensure that you do what's right for you, instead of rushing into a bad decision.

If you are unable to clarify things in a somewhat timely order, pray. Confusion does not belong to you. Ask God for clarity and wisdom, as well as help in doing what's best. Then, you can move forward successfully.


*Posts you may enjoy:
Carefully Measure Your Success
Persuasion & Permission
Regrets

Victory Is Yours!

You have all heard that saying, victory is mine for the taking and it's true. You should say it in faith, if not in reality, yet. Repeat after me, "Victory is mine!" Scream it if you have to, claim it for yourself because no one else can do it for you. Have faith and know that you are not alone.

Don't let life pass you by while waiting for obstacles to disappear. Victory can be yours if you're willing to take it. That's all that God truly wants for each of His children. You can overcome anything! Embrace that fact and you will realize how blessed life can be.

*Posts you may enjoy:

God Is In Control

I'm Blessed

Reach For Him

Words

I have spoken to you about words many times. They are more important than most admit. We know they can be both a blessing or a curse. It's essential to watch the words we use, but how can we stay clear of other peoples curse filled verbage?

Whenever you can control it, please do. Stay away from people that only speak with a negative tongue. In a job, or with family, it's more difficult.  You may not always be able to avoid hateful words spewed in your direction, but you don't have to accept them.

Reject harmful words because they don't belong to you. Rebuke them. Then replace those words with goodness and blessings.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Anger
God Is Love
Hate
Misery
Positivity

Friends & Followers

Recently, I have been blessed enough to gain many new "friends" through social media. I'll be the first to admit that I am thankful, as well as happy about that, but I'm always careful. As much as I appreciate them and want many more, I am always mindful that these new "friends" are strangers.

I am well aware that strangers can be a blessing, but many times they are not. Please remind you're children if they are on the internet, who their friends are and more important, who they are not. Please include the followers on Twitter too.

Remind the children in your life how easy it is for a stranger to become quickly familiar. Also, let them know that all strangers don't always look strange. And, on the internet, they don't always show their real face.

Have this talk even if you haven't seen your child on a social network. In todays society, they could be online at school, the library, a friend's house or fast food restaurant. You cannot always know what they're doing, but you can arm them with the information they need.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Facebook Pet Peeves
Old Fashion Networking
Twitter

Happy Birthday Joan

Alice Benton's Blog wishes Joan S. a very happy birthday! May God bless you today and everyday, in Jesus' name, amen.

Books vs. Ebooks

This is not the typical article on this topic. I'm not going to try and sell you on which one is better, although, I do have my opinion on that. This post is to let avid readers know why they should buy both formats of a book.

Lets be truthful, ebooks are wonderfully convenient, as well as economical. They allow us to walk around load free, unlike the weightiness of a book. They also can be inserted into virtually any moment of spare time undetected. Thanks to the many advances in technology, you don't even need the extra device if you don't want it; simply use your favorite amp.

If you're anything like me, and I sincerely hope you are, you love a good book. I love the look and feel of reading. I don't exactly know why, but the actual page turning process brings me joy. If you collect books, reading the ebook can help with the preservation of the books on your shelf; keeping them in mint condition. I also like getting my books signed.

So, if you really love a book, you'll buy them both. What's your opinion?


*Posts may enjoy:

Distractions
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
My Beauty in Pain Review Part I
My Beauty in Pain Review Part II
Reasons to Love Beauty in Pain

The Philly Market Street Book Expo

Today was great! The Philly Market Street Book Expo (PMSBE) was amazing to attend. I'm glad I participated.

I saw many familiar and non-familiar faces and of course all were welcome. My novel, Beauty in Pain was well received!

I personally thank PMSBE for having me, as well as all those who came to get an autographed copy of Beauty in Pain. I look forward to many more events. For now, my next stop is in Baltimore, MD...see you there!


*Posts you may enjoy:

A Weekend In Maryland
God Is In Control
Positivity
Reasons To Love Beauty in Pain


Beauty in Pain

Step Out Of Your Box

There comes a time when you can chose to obtain something wonderful. What that fantastic thing is will vary. I believe everything will come down to playing it safe or stepping out of your own box.

Most of us play it safe for good reason. This is our lives after all. Then there are those who risk it all. The problem with that is you don't if you'll gain or lose big.

The last group is different. They really don't have much to lose, yet they limit themselves. Are you limiting yourself? Sometimes the only thing stopping us is ourself.

Take this challenge. Remove the box you've placed yourself inside. Know that things can be greater than they are if you let them. Consider stepping out on faith.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Believe
Greatness
Reach For Him

Alice Benton's Blog: A Weekend in Philadelphia, Pa!

Alice Benton's Blog: A Weekend in Philadelphia, Pa!: "I have exciting news. This upcoming weekend, I will be Philadelphia, PA for the Philly Market Street Book Expo ( PMSBE )! I will be a featur..."

Persuasion & Permission

The art of persuasion can change minds. Many of us believe that we cannot be led, but that isn't necessarily true. That assumption comes from the belief that the person that wants to guide is either on your side or less trained by observation or circumstance.

The best way to elude negative persuasion is to first be aware of your own position. There truly is strength in knowledge. Smother yourself in it because standing your ground may save your life one day. Knowing that is important because there is always someone who has experienced more than you. Some people are excellent at deception. It's sad, but some people do not use their brilliance for good.

There is nothing wrong with changing your mind, but make sure that is what's occurring. There are days when deceit is obvious; that's a blessing. There may also come a time when it is not and the only thing you have to rely on is how you feel. So pay attention to your God-given intuition. Remember, that persuasion is a mere hop, skip and a jump away from permission. Make sure you are only permitting goodness and love into your life.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Count Your Blessings
God Is Love
Hate

A Weekend in Philadelphia, Pa!

I have exciting news. This upcoming weekend, I will be Philadelphia, PA for the Philly Market Street Book Expo (PMSBE)! I will be a featured author, so please come out and see me.  My newly released novel, Beauty in Pain, will be on display! I'll be autographing books around 5pm. I'm looking forward to it.

I'll arrive on Friday, August 12th for the meet and great at Pep Bowl from 5 to 7 p.m.  The next day is the book expo located at Griffin Hall. Saturday, August 13th, the festivities start at 10 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.

For more information, please read the invitation created by host, Holly Peters, on Facebook. Once again, I'll be looking for something to do on Sunday. I sincerely hope to see you there!


*Posts you may enjoy:

A Weekend In Maryland!
Beauty in Pain Book Signing - MD
My Lord

A Love Letter

Dearest love of mine,

You are one of the true loves of my life. Even before I knew of you, I knew that Isaiah spoke to heart. I have loved you from the moment that I knew of your existence. Yes, it's true, I do love you because your lineage, but that's not all. You are so much more than that. I love you more everyday because you are simply you. I thank God for you. He has enhanced my life with yours.

God bless you my dear grandson.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Gratitude
Holding My Grandson
One Mother's Letter To Her Children

Take Your Garbage Out!

Way too many of us are walking around with issues. More often than not, these problems become life burdens that hold us down. They also can keep new and good people away. So many suffer from this affliction that society has fittingly dubbed these carried around issues "baggage."

In the name of positivity, I beg each of you to open up your bags and examine its contents. We often  forget that our life fall-outs are hidden lessons to be learned. We tend to simply take on the weight of things too quickly. 

Don't take on that burden, hand it over to God. Look through your baggage carefully, unwrap the messy contents and deal with the issues at hand. That way, you can move forward armed with the knowledge you gained from it, but don't stop there. Mentally clean up the mess that will surely attempt to cling to you. Acknowledge that the lesson is yours. The trash on the other hand, has to go...take your garbage out!

*Posts you may enjoy:

Avoiding Bad Situations

Misery 

This I Know About Life

Gratitude

Tonight my thoughts have been filled with many things. My mind has been preoccupied. There's so much to do, yet the day remains the same small space of time. I was tempted to complain, but couldn't. I have been continuously reflective on niceness I've received. Many kind people have greeted me, as well as their gracious words.

Throughout life, I have often said, "I just want to be happy." And I can honestly say that I am. My life is full of people that love and support me. I'm truly grateful for them and many other countless things.

You can be joyous too. We all can. I offer you this advice. Think about what and/or who you're grateful for at least once a day. It doesn't matter how big or small and try to pick something different each time. Add this daily ritual to your routine because it's hard not to be happy when you're focused on gratitude.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Choices
Greatness
The Gift of People

Holy Time

This time in my life is such a blessing. Yes, I know that all time is quite holy, but these moments of late have been...more so. They are indescribably beautiful. I am blessed.

This past week, I listened to blogtalkradio.com for the first time. A woman that called in said it perfectly. Among many other things, she said, "I know God." It had an absolutely glorious sound because I thought, I know God too.

I walk the path He has designed specifically for me. This version of our relationship has been in the works for a long time.  It was always available to me, but I couldn't always hear Him. That only started when I learned to 1) trust Him completely, 2) acknowledge this is truly a holy time and 3) remain faithful.

Step into your holy time today!


*Posts you may enjoy:

Faith
Important Decisions
Revelations

A Weekend in Maryland!

The last weekend in August, I'll be headed to the great state of Maryland. I'm already feeling the love! I'm excited about this upcoming weekend.

It will begin on the radio, at 11:15 a.m. Friday morning on August 26th, I will have the privilege of being interviewed by "Cool Vibes" host Sandi Mallory on WEAA - 88.9 FM: The Voice of the Community. We'll be discussing my newly released novel, Beauty in Pain. Make sure to listen in on the conversation.

Saturday afternoon on August 27th, I'm headed to Hunt Valley, MD. Greetings & Readings in Hunt Valley will be hosting a Beauty in Pain book signing from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Please stop by for an autographed copy!  If you have already purchased your book, which we encourage, pop in to meet me and get it signed.

I'm looking forward to this beautiful Beauty in Pain weekend in Maryland. I hope to see you there! Now, I have to find something to do on Sunday!


*Posts you may enjoy:

Beauty in Pain Book Signing - MD
My Beauty in Pain Review Part I
My Beauty in Pain Review Part II
Reasons to Love Beauty in Pain

My Lord

He's the sweetest love I've ever known
Through daily life His love is shown
He tests me in different ways
But I will never go away

He loves me when I mess around
He holds me up when I am down
He loves me unconditionally
And His spirit lives in me


*Posts you may enjoy:


Gift's From God
God's Gift
A Prayer For My Readers

Take Off Your Grave Clothes 08/03 by EvangelistTheresaScott | Blog Talk Radio

Take Off Your Grave Clothes 08/03 by EvangelistTheresaScott | Blog Talk Radio

Hate

Hate is a very serious emotion. It is so intensely negative that I don't even like that I am concentrating on it for this post. So, this will be short. I try not to even use the word in my daily life. Most of us have things we say that we don't really mean, but we shouldn't. Our words carry a responsibility toward life. They should never be taken lightly.  

This is the break down, hate is not just a word, it is evil in a simple communication.  It is the opposite of love. God is love. That means, to even dabble in the detestation of something or one is to remove yourself from God.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Anger
Communication
Misery
Reach For Him