Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 14

Living In Abundance...

It's another Motivational Monday Moment, and I've paired up with quite a few people to bring you a moment of motivation and inspiration this year. Today's inspiration is provided by Melinda Michelle and she brings us a thought provoking topic, and issues a challenge that I'm taking up in my life. Read on...
My Favorite Scripture by Melinda Michelle
 
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ~ Ephesians 3:20
 
I was asked to write about my favorite scripture.  There are many powerful scriptures in the Word of God that I hold dear and get me through some tough times.  When I think about which one holds the prestigious place of “favorite” there’s only one that comes to mind, Ephesians 3:20.  I think the reason this one reigns above the rest for me is because, like God, it’s impossible to measure.  When you wrap your mind around this scripture, you realize, it is filled with hope, power and authority.  It says that God is able to do above what we can ASK or THINK.  So, no matter what our imaginations or desires create, God can abundantly exceed it. How awesome is that?  I also like it because it challenges me in the area of faith and expectation. If I evaluate my life and I don’t feel like I am walking in an abundance, then I know there’s more that I should be doing.  God’s promises are yes and amen.  It takes a different kind of mindset to believe God for the impossible. 

In my walk with God, one of the things that has repeatedly come to me as an area of improvement is that, I am not thinking big enough.  I have felt this in my personal time with God as well as had people come to me and say the very same thing.  I never want to get to the end of my life and realize I didn’t do all that was in me to do. This scripture is a constant reminder to think bigger, expect bigger and ultimately let God even exceed that.  After the third time this was told to me, I got frustrated. I asked God to give me a starting point of the level I should be thinking at.  A few days later, I was in the shower when I heard it.  The thought was definitely not mine because it was nothing I would even fathom.  Then when I thought about the magnitude of what He told me, I realized I was indeed thinking too small and I needed to adjust my expectations. 

So, from here on out, the level God introduced me to is where I START to think, and that experience brought Ephesians 3:20 to life for me. It is REAL.  So that one instruction has sent me down a path of obedience that I never saw coming.  It is big, and it will take hard work, but I know that I am activating God’s Word in my life therefore I will get the results it promises.  I know the Word of God is alive and active, I truly believe it is a living, breathing thing.  I honestly believe the only reason we as Christians don’t walk in more authority in the earth is because we don’t activate the Word in our lives.  I encourage every believer to find just one scripture this year and activate it in your life. Look at what comes before it and what comes after it.  Find the instructions in the Word to activate that thing and get results. Once you master that scripture, begin to activate others in your life and watch your life soar in ways you never imagined.  Remember, God is only limited in our lives because of where our PERSONAL faith holds Him hostage.  Without faith is it IMPOSSIBLE to please God. 
 
Contact Info:
Email: melindamichelle21@gmail.com
Site: www.melindamichelle21.com

Thanks for joining me for another Motivational Monday Moment! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Your Girls...

Spilling the tea. Laughing about everything and nothing. Giving you that shoulder to lean on when your heart is broke. Rolling with you to slash his tires and get revenge when your heart is broke. Hanging out for a day of shopping and reminiscing. Taking that pole class for the kicks of it, or just to show you still got "it." Celebrating those special occasions. There's nothing like having your girls there for those specific moments in your life.

For the most part, women turn to our significant other when we need someone to confide in, or to give us guidance. But there are those specific moments that we can only talk with our girlfriends about. There are some subjects that might be okay to discus with our partner, co-worker, or even our kids. But there are some topics that are better dealt with woman to woman.

Sometimes, you just need or want to hear another woman's point of view on a particular topic. Then there are those times, you just want your girls there to celebrate your wins in life. Whether you've been that friend, had that friend, or need that friend, we're bringing those friends into your life soon.

The Beautifully Inspired Blog will be coming to you every Thursday beginning in March with some hot topics, spill the tea topics, and some educational, informative, controversial and even uncomfortable topics. Yes, we want to come into your home and kick it with you. We'll be open for discussions, comments, and suggestions. Who are we? I'll bring that information to you soon, and you'll get to meet the women who're coming up close and personal to spill the tea with you.

If you have suggestions, ideas, or comments regarding topics you want to hear discussed. Drop a comment in the comments section below or email them to me at chelleramseywrites@gmail.com.

Don't be shy! I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and connecting with you. Invite your friends and your girlfriends to follow this blog. About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter.
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.

LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle Thanks for joining me for another Relationship Thursday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Bless Me...

Christina Kirkland loves her church and her job. As she's racing to break the latest news story, little does she know she will soon be the focus of breaking news in Atlanta. Will her job hold her down through the scandal, and will she hold on to her praise through it all? Walking across the stage, Pastor Pearson wiped his face with his handkerchief and went back to the podium.

“It says those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. It didn’t tell you to run out there and do it. See sometimes when you step out to do something you miss out on your destiny because you doing it in your timing and not God’s. You got to learn to operate in the kairos, which is a right or opportune moment, or God’s time; and not the chronos, which is man’s time. We want everything in our time and we don’t want to wait until God’s time. And when we step out and do it in our time rather than waiting on God’s time we get burnt out and wonder why we aren’t getting anywhere, why we aren’t growing, why we have no energy. Because we did not wait…on the Lord. When we wait on the Lord, our strength will be renewed, we shall mount up with wings like eagles. Have you ever seen an eagle gliding and soaring through the air? That wind gets beneath their wings and lifts them up and they glide as though they are one with the air.

"Well that’s how we ought to be…when we wait on God, He is the wind beneath our wings giving us that power to do the unthinkable, to accomplish the unimaginable, and to become majestic. He is that air that we become one with. His Holy Spirit is one with us, because it lives inside of us. But it can’t happen if we don’t wait on the Lord. But now hold that thought, the word of God says wait. But while we waiting, God don’t want us twiddling our thumbs, talkin’ ‘bout ‘oh lawwd…what I’m gon’ do…how I’m gon’ pay my bills, how I’m gon’ find another job, when I’m gon’ get married and have kids of my own.

​"Well while you waiting, you better start praising. Praise Him right now for that six figure job that He’s gon’ bless you with; praise Him right now for that new home; praise Him right now for your deliverance and your healing; praise Him right now for your spiritual breakthrough; praise Him right now for your financial blessings; praise Him right now for that man or woman of God He’s gonna bless you with to be your new spouse; praise Him right now for the salvation of your lost loved ones; praise Him right now for your children’s deliverance from drugs, alcohol, disobedience or backsliding. Praise Him right now because He’s worthy, praise Him right now because He’s worthy. I saaaiiiiddd, praise Him right now because He’s worthy. If He don’t ever do nothing else for you praise Him right now because He’s wooorrrrthyyyy!” Pastor Pearson sung this last part as he slid across the stage and started doing a holy dance.

The choir pitched in singing in the background, “I’ve had my share of ups and downs” to Marvin Sapp’s “Praise Him in Advance.” Mother Young passed out on the front pew as she always did during these sermons and the nurses surrounded her, fanning her and placing a prayer cloth over her legs to cover her up.

Then like clockwork Sister Miriam came out into the middle aisle kicked off her shoes and ran around the church. And not to be outdone, Mother Yancey stepped into the middle aisle and gently passed out. But this time the glory of God must have gotten Sister Miriam because she didn’t keep her running to the outer aisles of the church as she usually did; she ran up the middle aisle and boom, tripped right over Mother Yancey. She fell flat on her face and Mother Yancey hollered out and tried to sit up.

Deacon Alexander and Elder Wilson and Elder Mitchell ran to the aisles to help the two of them, but Sister Miriam got mad and slapped at Elder Wilson. Then Mother Yancey got mad at Sister Miriam and told her if she hadn’t been running through the church like a fool, it wouldn’t have happened and she had nobody to be mad at but herself. Sister Miriam got mad and told Mother Yancey she needed to pick a new spot to get slain by the Holy Spirit…and didn’t she know everyone knew she was faking anyway. Mother Young was still slain with the spirit up front. And it took everything in Christina to not burst out laughing at the three of them. Two more deacons and an elder came to the rescue, helped the ladies up and out the sanctuary to the rear.

Christina hummed softly in her car to Donald Lawrence’s “Bless Me” as she pulled out of her parking space at church, and waved goodbye to some of her fellow parishioners. Her mouth was watering for some chicken and greens at “Stella’s Eatz,” her favorite soul food eatery in downtown Atlanta on Auburn Avenue and she couldn’t wait to get there.

​Less than 10 minutes into her drive and in between songs on the CD filling the car with soothing gospel melodies, she heard her cell phone buzz. Realizing it was still on vibrate from church, she turned the ringer back on. Christina reached forward to hit the power button on the radio, looked at the ID on her phone’s screen, shook her head and let out a loud sigh. She debated for just a moment whether or not to answer the phone, because she knew lunch was now in one word…over.

“Hi Jill,” she said greeting her producer.

​“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for almost 15 minutes now,” exclaimed a frantic Jill.

“I’m just leaving church heading to get something to eat. My phone must have still been on vibrate,” she explained.

“Okay, well that’s beside the point, I need you to get your butt to Southwest Atlanta right now. There’s unconfirmed reports of a police involved shooting and a homicide. Right now the number of victims hasn’t been confirmed, but we need to get there before anyone else hears about it. Alex and Todd should be there by now or almost there,” Jill said, referring to Christina’s cameraman and van driver.

​“What’s the address, Jill?”

​“I don’t have an exact address, but it’s off the corner of Derry Wheel Way and Vincent Drive, near South Union Boulevard. It’s a couple of streets over from where that Carter story broke a couple of years back,” Jill explained, referring to a story their station had been the first to report on about a teen who had opened fire on his parents, sisters, and nephew while they were in the home sleeping.

​“I know the area, I’m heading there now,” Christina replied. She hung up the phone, breathed another deep sigh and pulled off at the nearest exit. Expertly maneuvering the sleek, sexy, charcoal 2006 Mazda MX-5 Sport back onto the highway, within seconds Christina was heading in the opposite direction.
Click The Book To Download... About Chelle Ramsey... Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter.
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.

LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle


Thanks for joining me for another Writer Wednesday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

2018 Goal Setting...

2018! Our first writer Wednesday of the year! It's time to review upcoming writing goals for the new year. As I sat down to review what I had accomplished in 2017, I was impressed. I completed seven novels. Seven! Despite my busy schedule and non-stop work schedule from January through September. Seven's my favorite number, so I am taking that as my sign of completion. I have accomplished everything that I needed to at a certain stage of my writing, and now it's time to grow to another level.

So, here are my goals that I hope to accomplish this year:

1.) Release 4 books (one per quarter)
2.) Provide more character interviews on the blog
3.) Do more giveaways
4.) Attend 2 - 3 author/reader events in person
5.) Give backstory on my characters that you cannot find in the books, and share my thought process about my story creation.
6.) More Facebook and Instagram live sessions each month
7.) Focus more on my plays, and a new genre I have been working on.
8.) Dig deeper into relationship talks every Thursday, here on The Beautifully Inspired Blog.

This will be a busier year for me, and I will have to get my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants butt in gear and organized. I also have to do more of the thing I don't like to do. MARKETING!

Readers, is there anything you would like to see me do more of, or do differently?

Authors, any organizational or marketing tips you would like to share?

Don't be shy. Drop a comment below, or inbox me on Facebook @ Chelle Ramsey, or email me at chelleramseywrites@gmail.com. I'm interested in your feedback!

Praising Him...

As we usher in 2018, we cannot help but to reflect on 2017. It brought its share of challenges, but also victories. Through it all, we will continue to praise Him.

Today's Motivational Monday Moment is provided by Vondetta Carter. She's kicking off our New Year with a praise. I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in theLord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together….Psalm 34:1-3

The above verses are ones I try to live by each and every day. In my 59years of life, I have found that life is not always good, but God is. God has never allowed the Earth to spin off into space or fall out of its orbit. He has never stopped giving life and allowing us to breath, eat, live, work, talk, hopefully be in our right minds. He has never stopped loving us, even we don’t love ourselves. Even when we make bad choices, He gives us options to get it right. His forgiveness is everlasting and ongoing even when we mess up something awful.

All He’s ever asked of us was to choose Him and He has promised us everlasting life. In addition to that, HE CANNOT LIE!!! I’ve been lied to and I am so grateful that He cannot. There are many things I can be grateful for. There are things I wish had never happened, but those are things that God has brought me out of and through.

So as I begin today and everyday, I will bless the Lord at ALL times, for He is the Best thing that has ever happened to me…So my friends and family..”Let us exalt His name together”
​
Love Vondetta​

Fab Friday Features, Meiah...

About Burnt Orange...
A coming-of-age story of Erin and Erika, Texas twins in an abusive home in a town segregated by white and black color lines, who are wounded by the revealing of a shocking family secret and long to escape their circumstances and erase what they have been labeled. Follow their journey in this compelling novel filled with inspiration and triumph.


I enjoy viewing maps and the globes at school as it makes me dream. I live in the largest state of Texas, along the muggy and swampy Gulf coast. The summers are really hot and humid here. Folks call this area of southeast Texas the Golden Triangle, where there’s a large Cajun Texan population. In our Lapland, we have gumbo cook-offs, Cajun festivals, crawfish boils, and zydeco radio. The part of the Golden Triangle that my family lives in is Orange, Texas.
The year is 1991, and majority of our small town is segregated. We have pecan and moss trees canopying the paved streets. But somehow, the town was named Orange, like the fruit. You’ll hear some black folks call our town the Fruit.
Occasionally, I see prints of burnt orange and yellow tints in the late-evening hazy skyline far above me. Black birds fly high above, embracing the sunset, while crickets chirped throughout the night. Traffic parades through our neighborhood street every evening, with homeboys blasting the latest rap music rumbling in their dashboards and trunks. Some of our neighbors are to blame for most of the congested traffic. Our neighbors keep a lot of company over at their house, but their folks never block our driveway. I think that’s ’cause most people around here think my momma is the police ’cause she works at the county jailhouse.
Around here, blacks and white folks work and go to school together, but they hardly play together outside of that. There’s racial tension, and the railroad tracks divide our town along class status and color lines. We live on the east side of the tracks.
I’ve heard black folks complaining about how mean the white people are here in Orange especially in nearby Vidor, which has a history of the Klan. My folks believe some whites are mean too. They talk about how whites work hard to keep black folks down. Daddy complains about not finding a good job ’cause of the white man.
To me, if it’s that bad, then we all need to move away from here! There are a million places on this earth where we can live. It’s just that simple to me. I see myself living a new life away from here. I dream of living in a big city with crowded streets packed with all walks of life, tall skyscrapers, and the everyday hustle and bustle. But it’s just a dream I see every day in my head.
“Erin and Erika, get up and do yo’ chores! Da dishes are dirty, and fold up my clothes!” Daddy yells at the top of his lungs.
“In a minute, I wanna finish watching my show.”
Daddy stumbles over me and then steps over Erika, who is sitting Indian style on the living room floor. He turns the television off during the last five minutes of our program. It’s our Saturday off, and we love to watch Teen Summit on
BET. He never wants us to enjoy ourselves at anything.
Erika jumps up and runs to the TV. As I’m standing up to my feet, Daddy pushes Erika, and she falls into my chest.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/WHtNd8jrxt8
Purchase Links
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/burn...
Amazon ebook: http://a.co/9y57n76
Amazon Paperback: http://a.co/3OcxrDz
Connect Socially
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeiahShaun
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meiahshaun/
Website: https://www.meiahshaun.com

Merry Christmas, My Gift To You...

Merry Christmas, and may your day be filled with joy and peace. My gift to you is a free download of A Woman's Design: Afflictions. It's available on #amazon for free today only. It's also the gift that keeps on giving. You can share this link with family and friends.

Thank you for your faithful readership all year long. May you be blessed, as we celebrate the birth of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRQMHXM

Fab Friday Features, Chelle...

The women of The House of BeJeweled have faced their share of challenges. From barrenness to infidelity, from domestic abuse to loneliness, they each find their faith, strength, and womanhood tested.
Olivia the doyenne of The House has her hands full managing her salon, her team’s drama, and her own love life. Yet, through faith and prayer she’s determined to make the House stand strong. Angel’s faithful heart has led her from heartache to heartbreak. When she dares to love again, she finds an old love isn’t through with her yet. Nikki’s determination to keep her family together leads her to spin a web of lies and deceit that affect more than just her. Kianna unleashes a web of pain, torment, and revenge on anyone in her path. Her treachery has now become deadly.

When the last lie is told and the final page has turned will The House stand strong?

The House of BeJeweled series!

Excerpt...BeJeweled: Standing Strong
“So, what does this mean now? Aren’t you tired of getting your heart broken?” Camille asked.

Angel and her sister, Camille, were having lunch at Destiny’s Café in Buckhead. Angel needed a break from the salon. The ladies were supportive of what had happened with Kianna’s visit the day before, but Angel was hurting.

“Yeah, I am. I guess I wanted to believe in him for us…you know, me and TJ. But, Black won’t change, Cami. I know he asked me to trust him, but it’s hard. I still love him,” Angel admitted.

“I know you do,” Camille consoled, reaching across the table to pat her sister’s hand. “But, you have to do what’s best for you and my nephew. And I don’t believe Black is it. I know he was your first and only love, Angel. But, big sis, it’s time to move on. It didn’t work out the way you planned.”

Angel placed her elbow on the table and rested her face in her hand. Releasing a sigh, she acknowledged her sister’s comment.

“I know. It’s just so hard to let go. I thought the divorce would help me to break ties, but it didn’t. I thought getting involved with Alex would help me, and it didn’t either. Not as much as I’d hoped anyway. I really do enjoy spending time with Alex. He’s funny and caring; he excites me in a new and refreshing way. I care about him so much.”

“But?” Camille pressed.

“But, I haven’t gotten over Black.”

“I guess I don’t understand your reservations about Alex. He’s a good man, and he really cares about you and TJ. So, what’s the problem?”

“I don’t have reservations about him,” Angel sighed. She stared off into space, thinking about Alex. “It’s just I feel as if I don’t deserve him.”

“Why?” Camille asked, appalled. “I can’t imagine why you think you don’t deserve such a great guy. You’ve paid your dues, Angel.”

“I just have so much drama and baggage attached with Black in my life. I can’t turn my feelings off the way I want to, and he’ll always be a part of my life because of our son. It’s so hard to push away from him and deny what’s obviously a strong attraction we still share. All of that is unfair to Alex.”

“Honey, a strong attraction does not a good relationship make. You need so much more. Don’t you know that by now? You and TJ deserve the best. Black has made his choices, and he has to deal with the consequences of those choices now. You don’t have to pay the penalty for them. His choice in cheating on you and lying to you for seven years has cost him his wife and her heart. Now you have to make up in your mind if you’re gonna keep being his doormat. Because this thing with Kianna obviously goes deeper than any of us could’ve imagined. She only told you tiny pieces of the game they’ve been playing. I don’t want to know how deep they really go. You can’t beat that, Ang. And I don’t believe she’ll ever be out of his life. And with the games he plays, someone’s gonna end up getting hurt.”

“Someone already has.” Download The House Of BeJeweled Series...

About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Fab Friday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Working Your Relationship...

Image from Urban Belle Mag https://urbanbellemag.wordpress.com/2... Relationships abound in every aspect of our lives; work, home, school, church, the community, etc. We engage in relationships to fulfill some specific need in our lives. But what are you bringing to the table?

I often hear people talking about cutting someone off, because they aren't adding to their lives, or they're bringing drama and negativity. Now I'm not suggesting that you maintain toxic relationships, allowing people to poison your mind, or hold you back from greatness.

What I am asking, is what are you bringing to the relationahip? Don't always be trying to keep up with "Janet, Ms. Jackson if you're nasty," focusing on what have you done for me lately? That gets old and people are not always trying to be bothered with someone with their hand out.

This holds true for every relationship in your life, including in the workplace. We spend a great deal of time with those we work with. If we count up an average work week we spend 40-60 hours on average with our co-workers, nearly the same amount spent with our family, who we only spend perhaps 40 hours per week with when we're not sleeping or traveling.

Those relationships are essential for productivity, success, balance, and peace and happiness in the workplace. If you cannot get along with your co-workers, it makes for difficult days to get through at work. It causes the workplace to be stressful, tense, and even intolerable at times. When you find yourself in this place, do a slight attitude check.

Assess your attitide in the relationship towards the other party.How does he/she benefit from the relationship between you?What are the common goals or shared/mutual interests?Are you encouraging that person towards growth, and challenging them in positive ways?Are you reliable in that relationship?Do you allow your strengths to enhance their weaknesses, or take advantage of them?
How do you feel about your answers to the above questions?

Last week I received a personal message from a former co-worker. Both of our job situations changed over the last couple of months, and while we did not have the opportunity to work together long, my work ethic, skills, and attitude obviously had an impact on her. She wanted to hire me into a position that she had available.

She shared with me all the reasons she thought I would be perfect in the position. I didn't have to persuade her, at all. My work had done all of the talking within the few months, we knew each other. She already knew what I was bringing to the table.

Now, I don't say any of this to be boastful. I simply want to share the importance of always giving your best at all times, even when you think no one is paying attention. Some of the same talents my husband sees in me, that I don't see in myself, this young lady was able to see.

To be contacted at night about a job, because of my past behaviors is nothing but the favor of God. She was not the only one to express interest in working with me again; however, I also received information that another former employer would be interested in seeing me in a particular position. I believe this was the Lord's way of encouraging me to keep giving my best even in the work situation I'm in now.

When things are great and when they're stressful, I have a responsibility to let His light shine through me. I have a responsibility to give my best to others, at all times, no excuses. Yes, I want to build work relationships that are beneficial to me, but I also want to be a blessing to others. I want them to feel the impact of my presence whether I am there or not.

Do you have relationships in your life that are out of balance? If so, have you done a self-check?

I have formed some beautiful relationships with some of the people I have met in my workplaces. I don't think this could have been done if I did not have an open, friendly attitude that allowed me to think of how I can help others, as well.

Thanks for joining me for another Relationship Thursday. Toss me your comments below...
About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.

Just Love Me...

Angel's heart is on the line and Alex is working over time to win it. After the loving is over, and after the sexing is done, she's questioning her choices. It's another #writerwednesday. This is a sensational sample from BeJeweled: Standing Strong, book 4 in The House of BeJeweled series.
Alex was the first to break the kiss and left Angel wanting more. He picked up a remote and pressed a series of buttons before the room filled with Bootsy Collins’ I’d Rather Be With You.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked, his heavy-lidded, sexually-intense green eyes filled with desire.

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured.

Taking her in his arms, he swayed back and forth with her to the music and rubbed a large, warm hand up and down her almost bare back. Angel bunched her hair in her hands as Alex found the clasp at the back of her halter and unfastened it from around her neck.

She gasped at the coolness of his hands as her breasts poured into his palms while the shiny material pooled around her mid-section. Alex greedily drank in the sight before him.

Angel tossed her head back, allowing him to have his fill of her as he bowed his head and took one pert, chocolate nipple into his mouth. The silkiness of her hair extensions caressing her bare back heightened her sensual awareness.

She moaned as Alex continued to flick her nipple back and forth with his tongue and then lightly bit down with his teeth. His head moved to take the other one in his mouth, and Angel caressed his jet black hair in soft, and then hard strokes, encouraging him to love her more.

She saw the smile slide over his face as he took in the complete loss of control on Angel’s face. He moved one hand from her waist and unbuttoned her skin-tight denim jeans.

She enjoyed the feel of his hands on her behind for a moment before he slowly pulled the jeans down her legs. The cool crisp air of his apartment slightly soothed the flames of desire licking up her body. Her baby blue lace thong panties were the only thing keeping her covered from him.

Angel kicked off her shoes and then slowly bent over to remove her jeans and her panties. Alex turned her around to watch her and stroked her bottom. When she stood back up, Angel faced him and then reached out and pulled his black cotton shirt from the waistband of his black jeans.

Long black eyelashes decorated his beautiful green eyes, heavy with desire. Angel ran her hands over his chest, running her nails through the smattering of hair around his belly and waistband. He removed her hands from his chest and quickly unbuckled his belt.

Angel’s hands got in the way once more in her impatience as she unbuttoned his pants and then unzipped them. She took a deep breath in, wondering what she would find underneath. Pushing his pants and underwear down at the same time, she bit down on her bottom lip when she saw the generous treasure he had been blessed with.

Alex allowed a small smile to flit across his face as her eyes widened at the sight. Angel held her head back up after she had regained composure and grabbed his face in both her hands.

They shared another small kiss before he spoke. “Are you sure?”

“Uh-huh,” she whispered.

“Hold on a sec.” Alex walked back to his room and returned with a gold package with black lettering in his hands. “Let me see that.” Angel reached out and snatched the package from his hands. Tearing it open with her teeth, she never took her eyes from his. She sheathed him and then began stroking his scrotum with her left hand.

Alex released a groan and hoisted Angel up in his arms when she finished. She tightly wrapped mocha-colored legs around his golden-colored waist. Her desire anxiously matched his when he bent his head forward and claimed her mouth once more as they made their way to his bedroom.

Filled with desire, Angel barely caught a glimpse of her surroundings, but she was aware of charcoal walls and mustard colors before she felt the cool wall pressed against her back. Alex lifted her up higher and then shifted her weight before easing her down onto his shaft.

“Mmm,” Alex moaned as he filled her.

He used the powerful muscles of his arms to hold her weight.

“I want you wide open for me,” he whispered against her mouth just before Angel felt herself thrown on the bed.

Alex crawled on the bed with her and kissed her once again. Wasting no more time, he gently sealed the connection between the two of them.

She rose up from the bed to meet him and worked her hips in time with his rhythm as he stroked and caressed her walls.

“Alexxx!” she cried out.

“Shhh.” He pressed his lips against hers, never losing his stroking rhythm.

Insides quivering, Angel felt all the yearning bubbling up inside of her. For this moment in time, she wanted to be free to love and give of herself, and she would have no qualms in the morning. For the first time in a long time, she felt ready to move forward with her life.

After her sweet release, he growled and released a string of unintelligible words in an explosive culmination.

Alex pulled her into his arms, “My sweet Angel.” He kissed her on the left shoulder and held her tight.

“What are we doing, Alex?” Angel asked, scooting down to listen to his heart beating in his chest.
Download BeJeweled: Standing Strong
If you haven't read The House of BeJeweled series, books 1-3, click here to download...
About Chelle Ramsey...
Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle
Thanks for joining me for another Writer Wednesday! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
To join this blog simply click "Follow This Blog," "Subscribe," or "Email" links in the upper right corner.