#WriterRevelations Reflection: Just Call Me The Comeback Kid (Six years after my near-death experience)

So, you all know that I usually share blog posts on Wednesdays but today I am celebrating six years of being alive.

For those new to my blog or my platform, I know you need a little backstory to get what I mean.

Six years ago, today I was released from the hospital after a long battle with thyroid issues that ended in a near-death experience:

• August 11, 2012 (One week after turning 21) I was taken to the hospital because I couldn't breathe. It actually felt like there was an elephant on my chest.
• August 12-14, 2012 The doctor who caused the thyroid storm covered up her medical negligence by having them diagnose me with bird flu and putting me on some of the harshest antibiotics out there all while still struggling to breath (I was actually on 15 liters of oxygen and still barely absorbing oxygen).
• August 15, 2012 I went under the knife for a triple lung biopsy surgery that also resulted them in them leaving a drainage tube in my side to drain the fluid that had collected in my lungs.
• August 16, 2012-August 19, 2012 I was in recovery and had to have someone rebandage the stitches in my back once a day. I was finally beginning to return to normal twenty one year old health despite the fact that my thyroid was still sick.
• August 20,2012 I received clearance from all my doctors that I could be released from the hospital but had to be on bed rest for two weeks before returning to school.

When I think back to this ordeal, I am amazed that I lived. Some really hard days have me wondering why I was saved in the hospital, or what purpose God had in all of it.

So before I get to the climatic conclusion, let me share some truths that God has revealed to me lately.

1. It's OKAY to have an off day if you realize that a BAD DAY DOESN'T EQUAL A BAD LIFE.

2. It's OKAY to give yourself more GRACE.

3. It's OKAY to NOT GET IT ALL ACHIEVED BY A CERTAIN DATE OR AGE.

4. It's OKAY to LET SOMEONE GO if you are the only one putting in all the effort.

5. It's OKAY to BE UNFILTERED.

6. It's OKAY to ask for help.

7. It's OKAY to be different, weird, outlandish, original, YOU-niquely yourself & not apologize.

8. It's OKAY to cast your cares on the one who paid the ultimate price for YOU, and who CARES WHAT HAPPENS to you.

9. It's OKAY to choose forgiveness when someone unnecessarily insults or belittles you. 

10. It's OKAY to not always understand or have it all together or even know how it will all work out but trusting the creator and author of life, believing ALL THINGS will work out for the BEST. 

Maybe this was the entire reason I am still here with a heart that beats, breath in my lungs, and a tough fighter spirit, maybe God wanted YOU to see this.

If so, I invite you to read an excerpt from my forthcoming memoir One Last Breath which is available for download here. 

Until next time, remember: 

In Christ-Like Love and Confidence,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

#WriterWednesday: On a Happier Note...I Got A Job!!!

I am absolutely honored and humbled that my beautiful friend Lux from the Philippines allowed me to write a guest post for her very successful and amazing site, About Life and Love.


Read that first by clicking the hyperlinked text. I wrote that near the end of May, and can happily report that as of June 7, 2016, I got a job as a cashier for Walmart. I love it. I'm not too fond of being on my feet for long hours but I love interacting with the customers and being the last person they see during their shopping experience.


I feel that God knew what I needed better than I did because this is public relations in its lowest form.


Thank you for always supporting me by reading and checking in with me. I love and appreciate all of you so very much.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea 

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: God Can See The Heart of the Matter

I'm sorry for my lack of updates but I've been busy working on lots of different things.

First, I got chosen to help Rachel Platten on Wildfire Tour when it stopped in Orlando. That was fun and I posted a video about it which you can view here.

Next, I was basically picked apart when I submitted my memoir into a Pitch contest and the editor wasn't helpful to me at all for both making my pitch better or for my self-esteem. I'm not someone who usually gets knocked down just because of one rejection but her feedback wasn't nice at all.

Then, out of nowhere, the day following receiving said email, I found out I was 1 of 25 picked to compete in this year's Pitchapalooza. I didn't end up winning but I'm totally okay with that.

Thank you to the 84 amazing people who voted for me. Congrats to the winners.😆 Fixing my pitch and will keep submit. pic.twitter.com/8ain6wM2Gf

— Chelsea DeVries (@ChelseaDeVries) April 1, 2016

 One thing I realized is how much I hate social media based contests even though I know that if I ever want to make it as an author, my social media platform is hella important. I'm not exactly popular in the eyes of social media standards although people have literally started arguments and debates over my tweets since I started my Twitter in 2009. For me, social media has always been  I started out the contest messaging people via Twitter and Facebook. The response on Twitter was pretty warm as people there are just basically welcoming and encouraging. Yet, I realized that my Facebook friends for the most part are cold-hearted snakes. They just ignored my message sent over Messenger or Facebook IM and one even deleted the post I placed on their Facebook timeline.

Then, I was advised by my fellow writer friend to message people via Goodreads, and I added LinkenIn to that list. For the most part, people here were the most responsive other than Twitter. My last minute effort was messaging a few accounts on Instagram and I only got one person to vote for me there. Another account who may have been a fake account messaged back: No please stop spamming us.

I just felt so defeated and THEN I realized that this wasn't my battle, this battle is the Lord's.

Beside the Rachel Platten dream come true- somebody please pinch me-did that really happen opportunity, I also got PAID to write my first blog post which was so amazing, and The Smart Cookie Philes is really taking off (I now am an official reviewer for REUTS Publications). Plus, I finally have an interview for a job I'd really enjoy having while I await my debut as a publicist.

   To sum up what I'm saying, I could have let that editors words, those people ignoring me, that blatant NO take me down and defeat me, forcing me like invisible chains to stay seated in a puddle of defeat and rejection.

Or I realized that God can see the heart of the matter. God can see my passion, my talent, my dedication, my heart for people, encouraging and inspiring them, whoever they may be, and he wants to honor that and my faith in Him.

Plus, I realized that Facebook is no longer productive for me as a human (post-grad realizations) so I've since deactivated my personal page and now ONLY have an Author Page. Since I deactivated, I noticed more people acknowledged my posts there and I know I've made the right choice.

Now, I am currently participating in CampNaNoWriMo, it's a virtual writer's retreat sponspored by National Novel Write Month. I have 30 days (less now: 24 days remaining) to write the word count which I set: I chose 30,599 because I want to finish my WIP: Kickflip My Heart. Yet, I've only written 599 so far in two days. Plus, I'm writing a stanza a day for #NationalPoetryMonth.

So, if like me, you are up for a vote of being Fan favorite please let me know because I will vote for you regardless of your religion, political views, race/ethnicity, or even if you happen to think Cats are better than dogs. I want to support people with love and encouragement regardless of what makes them who they are and just accept them for who they are period: A PERSON.

Whatever support I can lend, I would be happy to. Comment below if you would like my help or vote.

Until next time, remember

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: Amazing News To Share; I Got a Job

To read my article, please Click here!

I'm honored that my first ever freelance article was a review of Tori Kelly's debut album. She's one of my faves right now. I love everything she writes about and stands for. She's an inspiration of mine.

All the glory be to God in this moment. I am so thankful I get to do what I love to do for a living now. I'm still working on getting a public relations job or internship in the meantime. Lord, thank you for loving me!

If you need a job, say this out loud right now:

Lord, according to your Word, those who trust you lack no good. A job is good. So I am not going to worry about it, I know that you have the perfect job for me. I believe I receive my perfect job right now in the Name of Jesus. 

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

Writer Wednesday: My HSN Commercial Experience

     I found out about two weeks ago that the commercial I had shot in January was finally finalized and it would be debuted at the last acting workshop at the Safety Harbor studio that I had attended two workshops for my internship in December and January. Ever since there was a nervous excitement being built in my belly, almost like a fetus taking shape within my womb but a little less real.
     After months of waiting, I finally saw the commercial yesterday. All the hype I built for it was put out much like a match lit on a windy beach:

I watched it and as I did, my palms became sweaty and my knees felt weak. I was hoping to see myself through the entire 30 minute commercial, which was set up much like the infomercials you find if you are still watching television in the middle of the night. It was a good commercial but I wasn't in the entire thing: 

You can find the final commercial https://www.facebook.com/Writer.Chelsea.DeVries/posts/871489056244191

   Overall, I just appreciate the opportunity I was given and see it as God helping me overcome my public speaking fear by showing me that I am good enough just the way I am, every insecurity I've faced most of my life can run for the hills because there is no more vacancy within the confines of my mind. Although my acting career was short-lived, I realized I still would rather be behind the scenes in a way because that industry is still too shallow for my tastes. Hey, at least, I got a free ottoman and a paycheck out of it. 

God is good through the good and the not so good.

Until next time, remember: 

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~