LIVING THE "VIVA LOCA"

Happy Birthday to Me!  Happy Birthday to Me!  Every year on my birthday I write a "Birthday Blog" to express how important my birthday is to me!  Today, my thought is living the "good" life.  Honestly, if an assessment was made of my life based on my economic or social status, it may fail in comparison to that which society describes as "good".  There are many "common" things that many take for granted, that as we speak, I lack.  I don't own my own home, I am not driving the most expensive car (remembering a song back in the day "you may not have a car at all, but remember brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall!  Just be thankful for what you got"), and I have made a choice in life that many may think that I am chasing "rainbows" - leaving a promising career to pursue a "dream" at the "golden" age of my life.  A dream that has not been very lucrative at this point, yet, the personal compensation, because I love what I do, has been worth it, to say the least.  Yet, no sacrifice is without cost; I've had to make many adjustments in the last few years.  I've had to scale down my living conditions and learn to make due with much less than I'm accustomed. I have lost houses, cars, "so-called" friends; the ONLY constant source I have had in my life is Jesus, my greatest friend.  I've had to stay focus with my ambitions and sometimes walk alone-in the midst of "low blow punches" in my gut in the form of pain and adversity.  All in which I have survived-Hallelujah!

A few years ago my goals and expectations would have sent me seeking validation from those who seem to have found the "good life" as prescribed by obtaining the things I described above-careers, houses, cars, social status, etc.!  However; now, my definition of the "good life" has taken a 360 degree turn!  Now, "good" is taking a stand, defending a cause, and seeing a woman walk free of her "debilitating circumstance".  "Good" is standing on the stage, in the midst of applause, knowing that we took the "rod and staff", that God placed in my hand, and made a masterpiece.  "Good" is getting in my car and riding to the aid of family and friends, without having to take leave, getting permission or limiting my stay!  "Good" is peacefully laying in my bed at night "free" of hurt and heartache imparted at the hands of a "unfaithful" spouse.

So, as I sit and reflect on my birthday and the moments of my life, I decided this year to write how I hope my obituary would read if this was my day to transition from this life!  This is what I hope my life would say:

•1.    WOMAN OF GREAT COMPASSION:  she truly cared about mankind; not just in word-but in deed!  A spokeswoman for the inherent rights of ALL God's people; yet her primary passion was for women to "know their worth"!.

•2.    A PROLIFIC WRITER:   She was able to express herself in a relational, captivating, simplistic, and thorough manner. Made the reader "feel" as if she/he was part of her life story!  Writing was therapeutic for her-each chapter unfolding and revealing a prescription for inspiration.

•3.    A GREAT MOTHER:  (This is what I hope my children would say)!  Our mother taught us to love each other "unconditionally"! She was always by our side through the "thick and the thin".  Her desire for us was for us to know Jesus Christ in a real and personal way.

•4.    FAITHFUL FRIEND:  She was the type of friend that would move "heaven and earth" to lend a hand to a friend.  She treasured friendship -not everyone could sit in her front row-it took a special person to be her friend.  Trust and confidentiality were two special qualities she looked for in a friend. To her, good relationships were better than having gold.

•5.    TONY AWARD WINNING PLAYWRIGHT:  Winning the Tony Award meant the world to her.  Fulfilling her assignment to take "A Change Is Gonna Come" to the nations gave her great joy!

•6.    A LOVING WIFE:  (This is what I wish would happen one day).  A loving and committed wife who brought joy to my life.  She was my best friend.  The day I met her; my life began.

My point to this whole blog is that I have a lot of living to do.  I pray that God grants me many more "birthdays" to accomplish all of this and much more.  So today, as I celebrate my birthday and prepare to spend the day doing ANYTHING my heart desires, I breathe a sigh of relief-that I'm here and God cares for me.  He has given me much more in this life that I could EVER imagine.  Because I know that He has so much more instore for me, and that my time and seasons are in His Hand, I will just "Flow With It" and live the "viva loca"...however He fashions me to do it!  And if none of these things are "said" about me on that "great day", I will accept the fact that I've lived life to the "fullest" to this point, and I am glad to be ME!  Happy Birthday to ME!  I feel like dancing (smile).

 Tulips are my favorite floras!  With its vibrant colors, aromatic fragrance, and wide assortment of species to include Rembrandt, Parrot, and Darwin Hybrid; tulips are undeniably, breathtaking!  One of the facts about tulips that interest me the most, besides its obvious beauty, is that tulips are perennial.    Webster dictionary supplied several interesting definitions of the adjective perennial:  1) “persisting for several years”; PERSISTENT; ENDURING 2) “continuing without interruption” CONSTANT; PERPETUAL; and 3) “regularly repeated or renewed” RECURRENT; which runs concurrently with my topic “Persistently Pursue”.

Have you ever had a desire for something or someone so strongly that the thought of that action or person constantly and consistently inhabited your mind?  You tossed and turned and wrestled with that thought or desire—day and night!  You went to bed thinking about it or him/her, and you woke up with that same thought in mind; and it persisted throughout the day as well!   Maybe you had already been told “No!” yet, for some reason, you could not let it go!  Sometimes, It appears that ‘the odds”, in obtaining your dreams or desires, are stacked against you and there seems to be no “win” in sight!  However, that desire lingers and will not permit you to relinquish it or concede!  I truly believe that there are some things or people in this life who are worth the pursuit!  But how do you turn a “No” into a “Yes”? 

Recently, I was faced with a dilemma concerning a particular venue that I desired to utilize for a sisters’ empowerment event, in which I am one of the main speakers!  The purpose of this movement is to make a positive impact on the lives of women who are dealing with various life-altering changes in our community.  Strong and intelligent women, who have dealt with the abrupt “interruption of everything” brought on by economic or personal changes. We decided to acquire an intimate location that would set the atmosphere for an uninhibited discussion that would produce a free exchange of empowerment and positive exhortation.  I had been passing and admiring this particular event center for months and recently decided to request a tour in lieu of the upcoming event.  After touring the facility, I instinctively knew that it was the perfect  location, however; the rental fee was far beyond my budget!  In fact it was a hundred times more that we were willing to pay.  However, I was not willing to give up on this location because it met my requirement to accomplish our mission. 

Undoubtedly, one of the key personal traits that I have is passion. Those who personally know me or have worked closely with me in some capacity, will tell you that when I am passionate about something, I will pursue it like a bull charging a red cloth!   Subsequently, what I am readily learning is that not everyone has the same passions--so how do I convince the person(s) I am pursuing to buy into my passion?  Although passion is a great personal trait to have; passion alone will not “seal the deal” in most cases.  That passion has to be balanced and incorporated with some other unrelenting traits, as well.  That is why it is important to have some semblance of strategic plan instead of going out wildly, haphazardly, and unprepared when  seeking assistance.  I have learned this the hard way! 

My first course of action was to impose discipline and consecration (fasting -see Ezra 8:21) for humility and to seek clear and concise direction from the Source of all knowledge, the Master Strategist! The ultimate strategic plan of action was derived directly from the Universal Log, specific reference section:  Luke 18: 2-6, “The Parable of the Persistent Widow”.   2) ...“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.  3) And there was a widow in that town, who kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” 4) For some time he refused, But finally he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5) yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice…In other words, she “persistently pursued” him until he granted her request.  So, that was the plan of act and the answer to my dilemma.

Now, the fact that there is a need to “persistently pursue” signifies that there are some challenges or obstacles standing in the way.  My overall challenge was that I was asking a business owner to see the long-range impact and effect that this ‘unusual’ request will have on the lives of the women who will benefit from this movement, instead of looking at it in dollars and cents!  As we all know, the bottom line for any business owners is return of investment and measureable profit.  At this point, he was not sold on my passion because he did not see what he was gaining in this transaction—instead he saw loss.  Another challenge was that I was requesting a building with the seating capacity of 2,000 plus patrons, according to the owner, yet, my attendance goal was far less—probably 90 percent less! Yet, in my eyes, the interior design was PERFECT for the type of occasion planned. The second challenge was that I was asking the manager for a considerable fee reduction, which again equates to a loss.  Yet, to me, the women lives are worth more than gold and as of today—gold is worth approximately $1100, an ounce.  Once again, how do you persuade a “set in his ways” business owner to see this opportunity from a philanthropist perspective?  Well, there is no logical answer, but what price will you pay and to what lengths will you extend yourself to pursue your dreams?  What is it worth to you?  What is the measurement of your faith?  Will you surpass the “No’s”? 

Well, for three weeks straight, I constantly and consistently called the owner and the manager and hounded, bugged, endured, recurrently recalled and stated my request,  and “persistently pursued” until the victory day arrived and our petition was granted to acquire the building for only a small fee for the security officer that will be present for our safety. Victory is as sweet as the perfumed scent of a tulip to me and just as breathtaking!   I share this testimony not as a means to boast, but as a means to show you the results of what determination, dedication, commitment, endurance, and ‘persistence could gain you!  How do you turn a “No” into a “Yes”?  Persistently Pursue!  My mother used to say, there are only two answers to any question—yes or no!  I would like to add an addendum to those choices—that ‘No” could just be a temporary “setback” to your “Yes” if you are willing to “persistently pursue”!  Yet, these tools are not for the faint in heart—it is only for those who are willing to go the extra mile to persistently pursue and experience the advanced principles of kingdom building, positioning, and acquisition.  If it worked for me, it could certainly work for you too! 

 

DESPERATELY SEEKING SPONSORS

 LUKE 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again!” 


This is a philosophy that I have lived by before I knew it was a scripture.  It began with “mud pies”; I would share my “mud pies” with my girlfriends and my dolls at the age of 4.  It was something that was second nature to me.  Yes, I was the one that would give my lunch money away and go hungry throughout the day so that that hungry boy or girl, who didn’t have lunch money, could eat lunch.  As an adult, I even allowed a “friend” who expressed that she didn’t have clothes for the Winter to go “shopping’ in my closet (allowing her to take whatever she desired without limitation).  I don’t recount these situations as bragging points; however, I submit it as testament of my passion for victims of domestic violence.  I have sacrificed mortgage and car payments, moved to foreign and faraway places, left family and friends, place my personal desires on the shelf, so that I could dedicate my life to raise awareness to domestic violence in the church via my stage play, “A Change Is Gonna Come”.  Those who have been with me on this journey since the initial debut of “A Change Is Gonna Come” in 2007, can testify to the fact that this endeavor has not been easy!  Entire cast have quit, Directors have quit, my name has been slandered, I have been lied on, so-called friends have turned their backs on me; I could go on and on the trials and tribulations I have experienced.  I have been Director, Producer, Promoter, Set Designer, Wardrobe Designer, Prop Designer, Stage Manager, Casting Director, Caterer, Marketing Director, Furniture Mover, and Truck Driver, all at the same time, Yet, I persist and endure because I believe in the vision that God has given me will “make a change! I am also grateful for the remnant, who have endured the journey with me – they encourage me to stay the course!


Today, as I reflect back on the journey, I am experiencing an emotion that I have never felt before, frustration!  I am finding it difficult to understand how people could donate thousands of dollars to save the trees during Arbor Day; yet they find it difficult to donate to a cause that will possibly save a life from being taken at the hands of an abusive husband!  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that it is important to save our natural resources, yet; isn’t it just as important, if not more, to lift our voices in support of those who are being abused?  I am finding it difficult to understand a recent incident when it was announced that some local libraries may possibly close due to budget cuts, how citizens donated approximately $20,000 in one day to save the libraries but cannot donate 10% of that to assist 20 performing arts to take a message of “healing” and “restoration” to the stage of the Kennedy Center!  Again, I re-iterate, I am not saying the cause of saving the libraries is not important, I am an author, so I share in the slogan that “Reading is Fundamental”.  However, causes like “Saving Promise” by L. Y. Marlow, who is trying to initiate legislation to give rights to grandmothers to obtain custody of their grandchildren who are living in domestically abusive situations are also important, wouldn’t you agree?  The other day, I attended a meeting where a woman confidently reported that their organization had raised four million dollars for a cause and confidently stated that their goal is ten million!  Though I totally support her cause, I cringed in my seat because in all that I have done since 2006 to promote my cause of domestic violence in the church, I have not received 1% of that in donations, and yes I have asked!  This weekend, I was at an event to support our cause, where a fishbowl was put out to solicit donations for our cause—though appreciative, there was not enough in the fishbowl for me to put gas in my car to take me on the other side of town!  So today, I ask myself—when is my “change gonna come”? 


Friends, let me say this to you, I am not promoting this cause for self-gain!  Until this date, I have put more into this vision than I received; though rumors have said differently (smile).  In access of personal funds that I receive, I put it back into the cause.  Solicitation is not one of my favorite pastimes; I don’t like to ask money from my friends and loved ones if I am experiencing a personal crisis because it puts me in a state of dependency!  However, for this cause, I have put my pride under my feet and “beat the bushes”.  I have asked people for help that I would not normally asked, gone to events that I would not normally attend—whatever it takes to “save a life” and to “deliver someone from the all to unreported incidents of domestic violence in the church—I will do it!  It is like the “kid without lunch money” passion for me! 

Now, I am asking you to help us!  I have cast members, staff members, and the likes who have “faithfully” volunteered their time to make our quest to take this message of redemption to the stage of the “Kennedy Center” in Washington, DC.  We have two casts in Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC, who are working extremely hard to ensure that this mandate come to pass.  It would be sad that due to a “lack of donations” and a “lack of interest”, this endeavor falls by the wayside!  This is a great cause and as the scripture states, it will be returned unto you “good measures, pressed down, and running over”!  If I am addressing those who also have that “give my lunch money so that others may eat” passion, I need your help!  I have connected with a nonprofit organization, Congressional District Programs so that your donation is now tax-deductible.  I have even made it convenient to donate on my website, www.pals4life.org by clicking the red DONATE NOW! Button!  You would then be directed to the “Performing Arts and Literary Society’s” (P.A.L.S.) Donation Page, on the Congressional District Programs’ website,  to process your donation.  If you do not feel comfortable making donations in this manner, we do accept checks and money orders made out to Performing Arts and Literary Society, mailed to Vickie L. Evans, 8945 Avebury Drive, Unit F, Charlotte, NC, 28213.  If you desire more information or would like to speak to me directly, feel free to contact me at (800) 903-6171.  Thank you for hearing my heart! 


Vickie L. Evans
President, (P.A.L.S.)