A Woman of Purpose: Secure In Faith Through Difficult Times

By Arkay Evans

Emotions are often the driving force behind our decisions, and in difficult times emotions run high. In 'A Woman of Purpose', Evans empowers readers with poetic works that whisper to the soul. Her poetry reads like an invitation to you; an innerstanding expressed through thought, word and innovative actions that flip the script on negativity to maintain connections and hope in difficult times

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arkay Evans
• Release date: Mar 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301047086

Arkay Evans

Music is my first language. I'm a published author, spoken word poet, photographer and violinist hippie chick who loves fast cars, quick wit and real jazz. At the age of 5, I began training as a Suzuki violinist. With no command of the written language, I composed stories and poems with shapes. By age 8, I wrote the Kindergarten naptime stories for our parish and penned my first book at age 9. Writing isn't what I do, it's who I am. 'A Woman of Purpose' is a personal collection of poetic expressions addressing spiritual solution for women of faith. My book talks about how I have and how we all can by faith unlearn toxic habits and behaviors to change how we interact with and respond to the world; how we can make right choices, have healthy relationships and be victorious despite obstacles, emotions and biases. In the business world, I'm a consulting research expert, writer and editor. I also conduct ethics and goals training to improve communications, information management, personal development, and workplace relationships. In my seminars, I equip clients and participants with tools that effectively help maintain positive rapport and forward motion in difficult times. My work centers around asserting strategies that help us to have confidence for effective, proactive leadership from within. I train for corporations and non-profits and have been very active serving women's groups and underserved populations. As a consultant, I also perform association management duties, assisting or acting as executive director, guiding non-profit organizations in event planning, public relations and compliance issues. When my clients need to know and have no time to move slow, they come to me. I am organized, reliable and work very hard to meet deadlines. When I'm asked how or why on anything - the confidential in depth research begins. My services save clients time and money, and implement efficient solutions. As a creative writer, I have experiences or make an observations that need to be processed, and that's when I begin to write, believing for an effective spiritual solution to face every earthly challenge. From this practice I've learned there's always a blessing in the lesson.

Book preview

A Woman of Purpose

Secure In Faith Through Difficult Times

Arkay Evans

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

RK Evans Communications

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A Woman of Purpose:

Secure In Faith Through Difficult Times

Copyright © 2013 by Arkay Evans

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

A Woman of Purpose: Secure In Faith Through Difficult Times © 2013 by Arkay Evans. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information on how to purchase this book for educational, business or sales promotional use, please contact us at [e-mail].

This book is dedicated to:

Superman…

Who somehow figured out how to be

my biggest challenge AND my greatest inspiration.

Thank you for taking this journey with me.

I love you very much.

My Rising Sons:

I am infinitely proud of you

Thank you for living authentically, and seeking to define your purpose.

You are my greatest accomplishments, and your victories are mine.

I will love you forever.

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Acknowledgements…

A special thanks to my Aunts, Evelyn and Bertha

…for your amazing example, and for all your efforts as

Women of Purpose.

To the good folks at Southern Mission BC,

Bethel-Providence Church, & Soul Asylum Poetry,

…And to the dear friends who graciously share their gifts and unique perspectives…

Vera Johnson, Mimi Lester, Shelli Bartram, Eleanor Harvey, Vax Morpheus, Dave Johnson, Evelyn Schneeweis, Letitia Parker, Ken Cowel, Kim Brice, Shelli Hopkins, Loris Williams, Keith Horton

Thanks for your kindness, support, inappropriate humor, positive influence, divine inspiration, timely motivation and selfless example.

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A friend loves at all times.

Proverbs 17 :17

~ Great Expectations ~

…Love and Prayers for the Next Generation…

Alfredo, Marcos, Michael, Marcella Parker-Lott, Joshua, Daniella, Donato, Jacob, Brandon, Lil Marcie, Manny, Letty, Mariah, Camron, Erin and Kaitlyn

…And blessings in abundance as the beat goes on to…

The Lady Nora, Princess Egypt (Kathleen Jr.), The Mighty Elija, King Kole, Shining Aniya, Smiling Silly Millie, Mimi the Beauty, Lil’ Marcos, Lil’ Laura, Lil’ Letitia, and Lovely Laila

Thank You…

Painting: The Warrior by Mable Williams

To Grandma…The Warrior

who taught hard truths and made me strong.

To Vera…The Daisy

who taught me how to truly love myself and my children

To Mom…The Musical Artist

who gave the gift of jazz and showed the value of freedom

Other cool stuff from Arkay:

The A Woman of Purpose book series

Christians Under Construction: Excuse the Mess, God’s Work Is In Progress

The ProAgenda: Organizing the Home Based Pro

Urban Youthology: Goals & Leadership from Within (training/workbook)

For more information on these books as well as

Arkay’s ebook series, Everpresent Help,

her Saturday Morning Haikus.

*****

Check out MP3 versions of her performance poetry & spoken word readings

On https://soundcloud.com/arkay-evans, or at:

www.arkayevans.com

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God may not give us what we want,

but what we need

to keep it moving;

and keep on growing.

And be not conformed to this world; But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Other Stuff

Introduction

The Separation of Church and Fate

Who or What Defines You?

Who, What, Where

What is a Woman of Purpose?

Are The Mountains Getting You Down?

Mountain

Patience…

By Grace I’m Blessed Just Being Me

Sisters…Honor Thy Calling

Midwest Sister

Got Static? Getting Rid of Negative Noise

Negative Noise

Coyote

Love: God’s Ordinary Greatness

Rock Wall

What Is Relationship?

Heir To The Kingdom

Give & Take

The River Runs Deep

The American Black Woman

BULLYING: Blessed Are The Peacemakers

BULLY

Water Wall

Praise: An Attitude of Gratitude

Imagine

Sunshine In A Shoe

My Favorite Dudette

Apostle 13

Saying and Doing

The Cinderella Strategy

A Faithful Woman – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

My Little Way

Love and Loss

See You In Heaven

Grandma’s Heart

Tuesday Mourning

Late Bloomer

The Misogynistic Feminist

The Pain of Change

Acceptance

The Truth of Wooden Nickels

A Brand New Devil

Street Cred

They

Life Is A Ministry

A Resolve

Another Return

Jazz For The Holidays

Saturday Morning Haikus & Sunday Senryus

Faith

Element

God Is Good

A True Friendship

A Lesson In Dung

For Keeps

The Lady, The Loser, The Lover & The Leper

What Is Sin?

Like Chocolate Do

Child’s Play

Baby

Redemption, and Moving On

Man of God

While Mama Got Dressed

Bulls Of The Boulevard

Truth and Minions

A Sentimental Journey

Begin, Again

God Among Us

Son Rise

Ya Heard?

A Memo of Gratitude

Polar Eyes

Connected

A Child of God

Testimony (A Senryu Series)

Verbal Strut

Lover’s Preach

So High Is The Moon

Accompaniment

Soul Xensual Zen

no caps

A Difference

As If

One-Sided Mirror

Woman of Purpose

Photography: Arkay Evans

For more information on her books, goals workshops,

The how-to ebook series, Everpresent Help

or her Saturday Morning Haikus, Check Arkay out at:

www.arkayevans.com

Introduction

You may think this book aims to tell you about how to become a woman of purpose, but it doesn’t. That would be ridiculous. Only you know the real deal of your journey, what you hope to achieve in this life, and what you’ve worked to overcome. What this book does intend, is to meet you right where you are; to empower you, illuminate the possibilities; to support your life and the infinite wisdom within you.

The world is changing rapidly, and many of us have lost the depth of our connections. Both in my work and in my personal experience, I continue to see incidence of once close friends and family no longer communicating for some reason or another, and no longer interested in finding one another in the common ground they share. Sometimes relationships do end, but that need not include an endless cycle of negativity between people. The fact is, we have far more in common than we do different – and usually it’s the differences that make us interesting. Learning to see the best in a person from whom you know you must guard your heart is quite a juggling act. As a woman of purpose, I work very hard on this focus and have to write it.

As a writer, I’m obsessed with the practical application of spirituality in today’s changing world; describing how it actually feels to choose this focus – and ironically, in my small way to illuminate that action speaks louder than words. By that same token, I’m always compelled to pen my way to a spiritual solution using the faith tools I’ve chosen. As a woman trying to live her life with purpose, I’m guided to lean on the Lord, my Source for the patience I’m getting better at showing each day. As many poets, I’m a fighter - driven to scribe demonstrative statements, affirmations and expressions that support truth with no agenda, illustrate the beauties all around us, and explore the wisdoms of philosophy. When I look at my young life through my poetry - everything from the miracles I’ve celebrated, to the misfortunes I’ve survived are reflected there. I’ve always been my own best cheerleader, so my writing frequently works to find a spiritual solution to implement on an earthly problem. Faith tools have always been of great importance, helping me even in the throes of war to seek the sunshine.

As a wife, mother and professional I’m still learning to navigate this journey, ever growing in awareness of the God in me. Much of my writing reflects the inner warrior, and my battle against the ever-present Negative Noise that swells all around us. There is so much foul talk on the roles woman play. Controversies and control issues with gender roles rage on silently in the church, the workplace and in leadership roles across the board and in every sector. It astounds me that even in this