Meet Tiffini:
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019
In her own words…
“I go everywhere I am invited. I take pictures and film everything – publishing them all over social media. The people love it! I produce commercials and promotional videos, while also venturing into advertisement ads for my pastor’s Facebook and Instagram church pages.
I re-enrolled in school after a 19 year break and changed my major from acting to TV directing and producing. I could only afford to go that one semester because once again I couldn’t afford the remaining balance.
Since I registered for school after I turned 40 years old in April 2017, I missed out on a lot of financial assistance from the government. However, I didn’t let that discourage me from following my calling. I continue to film for myself and my church, and I promote local businesses on my social media pages.
All of this came following a bout with depression that took so much of my attention away from the people and passions that I love.
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019
One day I was laying on my sister’s couch while taking a nap, and I heard a thumping sound at her door. BOOM! I looked up and saw a dark cloud shaped like a human head facing me. It rapidly circled around the room, and I felt it hit me in the back. I froze; paralyzed with fear! When I finally felt courageous enough to look up and around, it was no longer there. At that moment I knew a strange entity had taken residence inside of me.
Never mentioning it to anyone, I gradually went on with my life. I didn’t feel physically ill, my physical strength was the same, and I hadn’t changed much with my height or weight, so everything was ok. Right? I started thinking I may have imagined it, since I had just awakened from a nap. Maybe that dark cloud vanished in thin air, but I didn’t see where it went anyway.
All of a sudden that vibrant, God-fearing, empowering person that once made up my personality became overshadowed with sadness and gloom. I’d become hypersensitive to jokes, unable to encourage anyone and very impatient with my niece and nephew’s disobedient behavior. I found myself losing control; crying a lot and wanting to be isolated, and I no longer participated in things I couldn’t live without. Going to church, family fellowship and pursuing my dreams as an actress ceased.
At that point, I knew I’d hit rock bottom. I cried out “GOD, HELP ME,” when I realized depression had taken hold of my life. And as faith would have it, He did. All of a sudden, my drive for life had returned.
©Amy Boyle Photography 2019
You see, there was a candlelight still burning on the inside of me that gave me hope. Hope that there would be deliverance, change, and something greater living on the inside of me.
God eventually chose me to start a live streaming media ministry at my church, and I am still with it to this day. Depression didn’t take my life; depression didn’t win. Just when I thought everything was over is when my life began!”
*** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Tiffini. 52 Phenomenal Women is now in its second year! This is week 12 of 52.
Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!***
Comments