#WriterRevelations: The Landmine of Laziness

Let me just start by telling you guys something no one knows or has caught on to. I posted that last blog about confidence then I went into this whole spiral of emotions and excuses. I started skipping days for writing, even my daily Bible study was half-hearted at best.

Then, God started being hella direct about what he wanted me to realize.

I've been practicing laziness.

So anything that God shared with me is what I am going to present to you.

The book of Proverbs gives us a description of the lazy person.

See,  I've been making and practicing excuses for poor work ethic and not showing up.

Did you know that excuses can take another form?

Blaming others for your life not being all that it could be is totally an excuse that most people don't even realize they live daily.

The reality is we are called to walk in discipline and service to God. We are to work with diligence in all we do.

Stop blaming your home environment (my favorite excuse for not doing what I should be doing. Truth: I spend too much time on my phone).

Stop blaming your self-esteem (don't like the way you look? Eat healthier. Stop binge eating late at night)

Stop blaming the way someone is treating you ( Check your negative attitude at the door, bro).

Treating our work like an extension of our service to the Lord changes our attitude. Pleasing Him motivates us to do our best and inevitably results is the believer's contentment. A job may be challenging, frustrating, or boring but we can be at peace instead of wallowing in negative emotions.

Don't worry if your job isn't like walking the red carpet every day. No one's is. Faith is forever. Feelings are fickle. Faith has nothing to do with feelings. Go take a break. Close your eyes and pray your way through the rest of your shift and head back out there and do your best work as if every customer, client, or reader is Jesus in disguise because well, they truly are.

Feeling Down? Say This: I'm going to focus on the goodness of God in my life today. Whatever I may have lost is nothing compared to all I have gained in Christ.

So join me in catching yourself and all your lazy habits and telling them to hit the road.

Let's make the most of each and every day in order to give glory to God therfore HAVE FAITH and DO GOOD from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep.

It's 2017 and there is already enough self-absorbed hurting people in this world. Let's be world changers, peace makers, and examples of God's GREAT love to all that we interact with.

This includes on social media. (Blog coming next week on that).

Until next time, remember:

In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,

Chelsea

~Just Keep Swimming~

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#MondayBlog: A Poem To Break My Silence

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


In case you can't tell, I am sick and tired of being ignored, snubbed, pushed under the rug. In my 25 years, I've felt like the only way to make people understand who I really am is to write it.

So I write blogs, poetry, fiction, and I'm waiting patiently for my memoir to find it's way into the right hands to begin publication but honestly, this seems like the only place where I can be ME.

On Twitter, people unfollow me because who I voted for.
On Instagram, people don't like my posts because of who I voted for.
On Facebook, people ignore all my posts except the idiot stuff I share because of who I voted for.

Social Rejection

Muzzle me 

with your ignorance

Read my message 

but don't reply

Unfollow me 

on every platform

I don't care.

Last I checked

the only way into heaven

is due to my faith in Jesus.

So what I choose to 

keep my clothes on

instead of posting a topless

photo 

on Instagram

Maybe that's what I am fighting for.

Maybe I am fighting to be heard.

Sick and Tired of Silence.

I have a voice.

I have beliefs. 

And I'm tired of everyone just patting my head and saying,

"Aww Chelsea, you are so sweet."

My sweetness gone sour

Now is the hour

I refuse to be silent 

ANYMORE.

Sorry I won't bend 

and bow my knee

to your false 

ideologies,

societal pressures,

and idolatry 

of legalized sin.

I choose greatness

I choose to keep my top on,

my eyes on my cup at all times

my legs closed

my nose in a book

So I can learn higher thoughts

so I can aim for higher ways

to live each and every day

So I can be an example

of all that HE teaches me

It's pretty freaking low

of you 

to make me nothing more

than the box next to a name

on a mother freaking 

ballot.

Drops Mic.

Add caption

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Huge News. Kickflip My Heart is in a contest. I have the chance to win a book contract.

Click The Image above. Scroll down until you find Kickflip My Heart.

#WriterWednesday: Who holds your confidence?

I don't know how but I started off 2016 with so much faith, passion, and confidence, and along the way, it just diminished until it was equivalent to a cell phone battery blinking and desperate for a recharge.


I think the first thing that diminished my confidence was when I attempted to lose weight through the lifestyle program affiliated with Shakeology, 21 Day Fix.

I really was stoked to spend about $75.00 on myself, or so my coach promised me. Yet, then my house air conditioner broke and my coach stopped sending me motivational texts and I said, why should I even bother with this? 

The unseen truth here was that instead of blaming my loss of weight on my coach's lack of encouragement, and my house's air conditioner crapping out, and just finished it like the boss chick that I claim to be. Yet, there was a power source issue here that instead of addressing, I let slip and just gave into my flesh when it came to over-indulging in sweets, alcohol, and fatty foods.

Following me quitting me Shakeology followed to me subconsciously overthinking the way I was being treated at work. I may have been really been targeted as far as abuse was concerned but either way, I overthought the whole situation and as a result, I called out one too many times and was immediately terminated.

Right after I was fired, I got a query response from an agent who ripped me apart for a previous blog post I shared on here where I responded to how an agent criticized my memoir in order to show other artists out there that you shouldn't change your art to bend to the trends of the marketplace but you should write, play music, draw or paint whatever your heart is screaming at you to share with the world. Art based on authentic passion always speaks volumes to the struggles of the world around us than the fickle trends of the marketplace when you query.

This query response would cause me to stop submitting to agencies for the time being. 

Plus, it made me stop writing creatively. I lost hope that my words even mattered at all. It turns out that the problem is my query letter itself and not my memoir. The query letter fails to sell the heart and soul struggle of my fight and how my story will breathe truth and change into people's minds if published.

A month after being terminated, I got hired with an undisclosed parcel company for seasonal employment. I applied to be a package handler but got hired as a golf cart delivery person in a residential neighborhood catered to the use of golf carts. They didn't call me to start until the end of the month and I grew impatient and easily frustrated. I went the first day and if I had thought they were unorganized before, after one day of work I certainly DID NOT want to work for them. Some issues that led me to feel this way: 

• My trainer was an hour late to meet me when my supervisor told me to be there at 1:30.
• I was fine when doing the job on my own but the trainer made me feel inadequate and judged, not to mention unwanted.
• We were responsible for too many packages for only two people assigned to the pod so we ended up working until 7:30 that night with a broken headlight and no light to help us find the addresses we had to deliver to as well as trouble reading the package labels. Plus, we were given no night reflectors to deliver in.

So the next day when they called me in for my second day of work I quit. I only took the golf cart position because I thought it would help build my driving skills and confidence so I could grab the horse by the reigns and drive a motor vehicle with the license I got in September. Yet, I stopped wanting to even drive for the sad reason of feeling like the only thing that would motivate me to drive would be having a car of my own. I mean my father was well-intentioned when he gave me his car but being that he still drives it the majority of the time, I don't really feel like it was given to me. It was just dangled in front of me much the same way you may dangle a half-eaten chicken wing in front of a dog if you were mean-spirited. 

Heading into 2017, I realized all these errors and decided I was going to clear my mind of all negative and wrong thoughts as the year closed out, and renew my mind to new thoughts for the new year. 

So far, 2017 is off to a fabulous start! I've started writing 30 minutes a day. I have weekly freelance writing work, and have now partnered with Amazon via The Smart Cookie Philes. My Christmas was even blessed despite having little income for extravagant gifts, since I placed my confidence in Christ, I ended up getting everything I wanted for Christmas:

A tablet (so I can read The Smart Cookie review queue quicker and more conveniently, plus not have to print a billion pages worth of books so I save trees).

Some new clothes from H&M. (OMG, did you guys know they have shaping denim so me and my big booty can still look cute in a pair of skinny jeans without having to metaphorically cut off my air circulation. Plus, I actually got pajamas to wear for when I do writing of all types).

Beats Headphones (My desk and bedroom are in the middle of my living room. I love my family for being the stone cold pack of weirdos they are but being from up north hereditarily, we are a loud group inside our habitat) They are perfect for writing.

So I ask you in 2017: 

Until next time remember, 

Before I go, please make sure to check out Kickflip My Heart to your right since I added a new chapter for the new year!

May your 2017 be full of love, joy, and unshakable confidence in a God who's grace abounds and much more abounds for those who diligently seek him.

In Christ-Like Love and Confidence, 

Chelsea 

~Just Keep Swimming~

DONATE TO LITERATURE AND THE MUSIC IN YOUR HEAD and ALL THINGS EXPRESSION. Donate to The Smart Cookie Philes Now.

#WriterWednesday: KickFlip My Heart (New Chapter)

So I know you all think it's way lame that I haven't updated you on anything but let's just say that as of now, I still have nothing new to report or words to express things I want to share.

Yet, I knew I had to keep you guys happy so for the month of November (This year flew by) I will be adding a new chapter to my novel, Kickflip My Heart, every Wednesday.

Unless I have news then I will share that here instead.

I didn't want you guys to think that I don't care about you or forgot about you.

You, my blog readers, have given me some of the most encouraging words during some of the darkest times in my life, and I just wanted to find a way to thank you!

Without further ado, enjoy chapter six.

Clink the hyperlinked text in this blog post to read or click the following picture to your  upper right.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

Don't just give gifts this holiday season. Give Smart. 

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#WriterWednesday: A Piece I Wrote Has Made The Top 10!

Think these are cute? Order One.

Popularity has never been my strong suit or something that has come easily to me. I've been rejected left and right for most of my twenty-five years on earth. And it seems that today in the year 2016, that's all anyone cares about.

How many followers you have equals whether or not your qualified enough to not only write a book but sell it

Nothing else matters. If it isn't quantifiable, it's justified as worthless in today's world.

I am SO very sick of it!

For example, today I went to the post office just to find out how much it would cost me to send three signed giveaway copies of an author's book overseas and I nearly left the post office in tears. 

A small hardcover book shipped from Florida to the Philippines cost $22.95.

That means to ship all three it would cost me almost $70 alone and that's just for ONE giveaway!

I started this site in order to feel as though I was putting my skills to work every day: the skills I have a college degree in as well as the talents I've had since I was a young child: my love of reading, writing, and my love of music.

So if you have ANY form of heart at all and you don't believe everything in this world should be about followers, likes, retweets, etc then please donate and know that:

60% of funds raised from the purchase of these cute and stylish designs goes to the running of The Smart Cookie Philes.

40% of funds raised from the purchase of these cute and stylish designs goes to Metropolitan Ministries Holiday fundraiser.

Thank you for giving this site a chance and reading my words.

I hope you make the smart choice and purchase one of these items since the Smart Cookie Philes is and was founded on the principle of being true to oneself and expressing who that person is, no matter what.

Feel free to "espresso yourself this Holiday season."

 I added purple to my hair. I had to feel free to be ME.

Before I go, I have AMAZING NEWS!

My piece that I wrote for my dad for Father's day was one of the Top 10 most read posts on the whole site and I just want to say thank you to all of you who read it and shared it. It's great to know that a simple piece I wrote for my dad not only encouraged him but made a difference. My writing has power and that is AMAZING! Glory to God!

TOP 10 most read posts @EncouragingDads "An Extraordinary Moment" by @ChelseaDeVries. Please share! https://t.co/1Rmb1JfQdm

— John Finch (@EncouragingDads) October 19, 2016

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~ 

#WriterWednesday: How I Found Myself While Doing A Weight Loss Program

I'd hate to start out a blog post like this but the truth is for most of my life, I've felt like I can't really be myself. I've always felt proud of the person I am and the fact that I recognized who I was from an early age. I 've always been someone that cannot just be labeled or prematurely defined.

So recently near the end of August, I was contacted by a Beachbody coach on a Facebook picture I posted making a joke of how my unlimited meal plan really changed the way I look. In a bad way? No. In a noticeable way? Yes.

Plus, being that I've still not yet found the man who will love for me, I started to believe that I must lose weight and become this shredded version of myself in order for my dream guy (wherever he may be or whoever he may be) to love me Delusional thought #1

I also believed that by losing weight and becoming this different version of myself on the outside, I would be able to fit into the SoCal lifestyle when I do move there. Delusional thought #2

This coach gained what little trust I had by confirming my two current beliefs. So I spent $150 on a Team Beachbody Challenge and was beyond stoked to get started. The program I enrolled in was the 21 Day Fix Extreme. You find out your target calories and are supposed to abstain from the use of alcohol, sweets, and fatty fast food meals.

The first seven days I messed up big time because I was using the Shakeology in addition to three meals a day instead of as a meal replacement. So once I admitted my mistake to my coach, she offered to check in twice a day.

I started to really do good. I ended up losing two pounds in one week and for me, somebody with hypothyroidism and multiple food allergies, that was HUGE!

Then, I got to September 21, I woke up and weighed myself and somewhere along the line, I gained back the two pounds. Did I eat unhealthy food and consume alcohol? Yes.

Do I feel that that was the sole reason I gained the weight back? Heck no.

See the week after that first blissful week, I started to get sick to my stomach. I'm talking in the worst way you can imagine, and then some. Plus, I had to go to work while being sick and do long shifts on an empty stomach and while dizzy and lightheaded.

All in all, I loved the workout aspect of Team Beachbody.

Yet, I prefer lifestyle changes that include each meal already suggested or planned out for me.

Do I think Shakeology and 21 Day really work? Sure, if you have the money to do multiple rounds.

I do not since I just got this job at Wal-mart three months ago.

Plus, I don't think it's necessary to spend that kind of money on a lifestyle change/health plan.

Basically, the truth is I am 25 years old and I want to indulge in the sweets, the booze, and the fast food without feeling guilty about it.

Do I think I could lose a little weight? Yes, but couldn't we all really.

My point here is that at the end of the day, this world if FULL to the brim especially nowadays with pressures from every side of this all important go with the flow or get the hell out of our way mentality and I find it to be utter bullshit.

For example, you can see it in the U.S. election. God forbid you actually admit you agree with Donald Trump. You might as well be admitting to all your past and future sexual partners that you have every STD or STI known to man.

As you can see, I am an individual. I think for myself. Have my own beliefs and pride myself on the fact that I tend to go against the grain in every aspect a person possibly could.

That's just the thing that bugs me about the whole Beachbody thing. I realized that I need a lifestyle change that makes me feel comfortable being me not scolds me for being honest about my mistakes and tells me to keep pushing when I was rounding the verge on my second near-death experience.

All in all, as an individual in a free country I would hope to be greeted with a little more respect and admiration, especially more love. And a lot less of rolling eyes and scoffing at me for being NOTHING less than me.

Until next time, remember: Individuality is what makes us human and separates us from the wild animals. We don't all have to follow the pack to survive.

For anyone who's ever felt this way, BE YOU! Do You! And RESPECT That I AM ME!

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: Someone is ALWAYS watching

Lately, I've been dreading going to work. And not because I don't like it or really don't need the money. I definitely do but because I feel like no matter what I do at work, I get yelled at.
I've come to realize that wherever I am while at work and no matter what I am doing, I am being watched.

Managers have my schedule and log my breaks and meal times on their palm pilot. (They know when you take a break longer than 15 minutes). They know if I clock in early, clock in before putting my stuff away, or clock out early.

They know if I'm late, if I've called out. All thanks to the great and powerful concept of technology.

Plus, they know everything I do while at the register or walking around the store (there are cameras everywhere).

Just this past week, I felt like I was literally being fitted for a customized ball and chain. I felt less enthused to go to work and more as if I was just someone in a cage asked to play a role, and they promise to feed me.

Yet, I have to perform the role just right or else. And it made me start to feel like I wanted to give up but I knew that was the last thing God wanted me to do.

Plus, the truth of the matter is this:

In the long run, all these mistakes that are embarrassingly being called out in front of customers and other associates will make me a stronger person.

A strong person who got through their job because not only did they know that the all seeing eye was watching and listening.

So no matter how hard I am tested with this job and the people I must respect in order to keep it, I REFUSE to give up.

God sees you and me and he hasn't forgotten about the dream he's placed in each of our hearts.

One day when I'm a huge PR executive for a A-List PR firm, I will look back and laugh at how far I've come.

One day when people are writing reviews about my novels, I won't break or change who I am and how I write to please them because I know WHOSE I AM.

Until next time, remember: