I'm Phil Bennett. My blog details my songwriting journey and introduces you to the amazing people I meet along my path to my ultimate dream.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Today I will....
One of the best ways to make positive changes in your life is to affirm each day what you will do. Some people make lists and post them on their fridge, I simply post them on a few of my websites.
So join me in stating what it is you want out of the last few days of the year. Today I will:
1. Be grateful for all the things in my life
2. Be happy and spread my happiness to those around me.
3. Laugh, love and appreciate.
4. Enjoy every second of this beautiful day.
5. Let any kind of worry run off me like water off a duck's back.
6. Attract happy people into my life today.
So, now it's your turn. What will you do today to make your life better?
Peace and joy,
Phil
Friday, December 26, 2008
My Christmas Angel is 25 today!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Snow angels...
One of the best things to do was find a nice, flat, untouched spot of snow and make a snow angel. The key was to fall back flat on the snow, wave your arms and legs and get back up while not disturbing the snow around the angel. I have to say, it is not as easy as it sounds. Every once in a while, you would make the perfect angel. It was a thing of beauty.
Now this was before the time of camera phones or digital cameras, but the pictures in my mind are just as vivid. It is a wonderful memory.
Do yourself a favor, don't forget to be a kid. Be silly, have fun, laugh, have a snowball fight, go sledding and for God's sake, make a snow angel. Life was meant to be fun...don't forget to have fun. You won't regret it.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!
Phil
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Just say "THANK YOU"!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Catepillar and the Butterfly...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
What's in a song...
Here's a songwriter's perspective.
I guess you could say that a song is made up of lyrics, chords, melody, vocals, harmony. Those are the basics that make up a song, but what is really in a song.
Someone's entire life can be in a song. As a songwriter, it seems like I am letting everybody read my diary. Even though my songs are not necessarily about my life, they come from feelings and emotions I have had at one time or another.Some songs are written in five minutes and some take years to complete. I think it depends on my intentions for the song and how it comes to me. A song takes on a life of its own from conception of the idea to maturation to the finished product...if there is such a thing. I have read that great songs aren't written, they are re-written. I think of them as a gift from somewhere out there in the Universe.
So, what's really in a song? Emotion, passion, love and feelings, because when you hear a great song, you feel those things.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The struggle within...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Great Rivers of Gratitude by James O'Dea
Monday, December 1, 2008
A look back...
Back in the early 1970's, my Dad was preaching at a small Methodist church in Missouri. My Mom played piano and either me or one of my two brothers collected the offering.
Once in a while, my parents, my brothers and I would sing a song during the service. We got invited to sing at a few local churches and revivals. Over the next few years, we got to travel all over the Midwest singing at revivals, family functions and other functions.
Read more about the Bennett Family and listen to the Bennett Family Gospel Album by clicking on the link on the right.
Peace, love and joy to all,
Phil
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Gratitude...
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Today I will...
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thoughts become things...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This is the Universe!!!
Today I will be recording your every thought and emotion no matter
how good or bad, no matter how generous or stingy, no matter how helpful or hurtful it may be.
And everything I record...will be played back for you...as sooon as possible, as some type of physical manifestation in Time and Space.
Thank you...that is all.
The Universe/Mike Dooley
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
"The difference between will and intention"
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Allow today to be amazing...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Our deepest fear...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Today can be anything you want!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The house of 1000 mirrors
Saturday, November 1, 2008
"I'll Remember you" 11/1/1999
Friday, October 31, 2008
Just mow around the stump...
I used to work as a Biomedical Equipment Technician in a hospital in Tennessee. Those are fancy words for...I fixed medical equipment. It's a really good career and I did enjoy it most of the time. But somehow, I manifested the most negative, cynical and manipulative person in my life. And to make matters more interesting, I manifested this person to sit at a desk less than 10 feet from me.
Now...I don't think it was all my fault actually. I had been working with a fellow technician for about 3 years, and that technician died of a heart attack one weekend. We were actually very good buddies and I don't mean to make light of the fact that he died, but that's what happened. I left one Friday and never saw him again and I still miss him to this day. Especially when I looked around and saw what kind of idiotic jackass took my buddy's position.
So, I either manifested my buddy's death or God stepped in and it wasn't about me at all. That is what I think happened. Anyway, one day I was venting about my circumstances to a friend/coworker one day and he relayed a story to me that his Father had told him.
"Picture this person as a huge, ugly, dead tree stump in a field of beautiful green grass. When you have to mow that field, don't complain about it and focus on the eyesore in the middle of it. If it is in your way, mow around it. Don't focus on the stump, focus on the beauty of the lawn and nature."
I thought that was awesome and I have used that visualization everyday since then. It really helped me too. I recently left that position to pursue more exciting endeavors...those more in line with my passions. But I will never forget how that simple visualization helped me get through some very tough days.
Thank you God for putting that person in my life and thank God for all my blessings.
I am truly grateful.
Peace to all,
Phil
We are blessed...truly blessed.
Well, those old sayings come from somewhere and are usually based in truth. I'll go one better. Don't just count your blessings, list them and read them every morning. I keep them posted on my wall so I can see them every morning.
For example, as little 150 years ago, people owned people. Just a few years ago, we got 3 channels on television. When I was a kid, my grandparents didn't have running water or indoor plumbing. My Dad was born at home. College was not an option except for those who were wealthy. 70 years ago, we were in a depression and people were not only broke, they were starving...standing in line for bread. 75 years ago, the convenience of running to the store for a gallon of milk was not an option for anyone. I could go on and on.
Life is good, life is great. We are so blessed! It is imperitive that we take a few minutes out of every day to thank God for all the wonderful things in our life. You will be surprised how your perspective changes.
Peace and love,
Phil
Thursday, October 30, 2008
"The Prayer of Jabez"
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Do it anyway...
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
How Wayne Dyer changed my life...
Here's a quick Wayne Dyer story and a perfect example of the law of attraction.It was 2000 and I was in a horrible relationship, considering selling my guitars (I had already sold one) and never playing music again or writing or anything. I was at the lowest point that I can remember. I was sitting in my living room pondering everything and wondering what the hell I did to deserve all this...pity party. Deep down I still wanted to move to Nashville, write music, perform and live the dream, but it seemed so far away, I was ready to quit.
I was flipping the channels and paused on PBS just long enough to hear Wayne Dyer say, "Don't let your music die with you." Now that made me immediately break down. It was like God himself had spoken in an audible voice straight to me.
So, that week I wrote a song, "Don't let your fire go out.". It was the first of many songs that jump started me. A year later, the bad relationship was history, I was living in Nashville and starting a wonderful journey that has led me right here and now.
It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it. I just wanted to share that with you all.
Keep the faith!!
Peace and love,
Phil
My favorite Songwriter Joel Shewmake
Quote of the year...
Author Brilliant but Unknown