Has it ever dawned on you that those subtle, negative words you whisper to yourself in moments of uncertainty, or when fear arises may just be built on a lie you bought into at some point in your life?
Whether it’s childhood trauma or something you’ve experienced in the workplace, from family or just living in modern America, we each have a story we tell ourselves. These stories have the power to shape the way we move about the world and can impact how we connect with ourselves, others and our Creator. Oftentimes, if these lies aren’t exposed and replaced with healthy thoughts, it can lead us into detrimental cycles that have the potential to affect our everyday lives, our communities and can permeate future generations. “At the core of it lives a damaged sense of self,” says actor, playwright and author of “The Inner Fitness Revolution,” Tina Lifford.
Lifford’s revolutionary Inner Fitness Movement, which she says is decades in the making, pushes its followers to reject those lies, accept a reimagined truth and get back to who we were created to be, while moving into our true purpose on this earth. She defines, “a lie as any person, experience, or thing that left us feeling less than, not good enough, afraid of ourselves, running from ourselves, and disconnected from self.”
I was first introduced to Tina as Otis’ mama on the miniseries and cult-classic, The Temptations. More recently, she played Aunt Vi on the OWN Network series, “Queen Sugar.” But it’s not her notable film credits, being an author, playwright or even her captivating smile that reels you in – it’s her wisdom and authenticity that drew me.
Lifford knew she wanted to be an actor from age two, and in the fifth grade, experienced an on-stage trauma that left her without a voice on stage. She remembers taking a “gulp of fear” after realizing she was first on the call sheet for the school’s talent show. When she began to sing her song, she froze, and no words came out of her mouth. She moved on with her life, still carrying a deep passion for acting, but due to this childhood trauma, she was still anxious about auditioning. In her twenties, while working as a publicist’s assistant, she remembers hearing an audible clear voice that changed the course of her life forever.
“If you don’t try this acting thing, you’ll be 40 and unhappy.”
Not wanting to leave her dream on the table, she started auditioning, booked a few gigs and was able to earn six figures and the rest is history. For some, this would be the ultimate goal and where we all stand up and cheer knowing that she made it but for Tina, this was just the beginning. She knows that her true purpose is to help others evolve and to understand that none of us are our titles, or even the person our loved ones come to depend on, we are truly purposed to be the “highways of the Infinite.” The vessels in which God uses to reach others and help along the way.
If you were to visit her Instagram page, you’ll see what I mean. Consider @TinaLifford a much needed timeline cleanse to break up the negativity, gossip and phony content that so often gets pushed by the latest algorithm of the day. Through her authentic storytelling, nuggets of wisdom and intentionality, she gives you permission to break free from the lie of perfection we’ve often been sold.
Tina represents what can happen when we move past the deception we’ve partnered with and create the life we want for ourselves with self-awareness, doing the heart work and actionable steps laid out in her latest book, The Inner Fitness Revolution. Her advice to us is to “start with discovering yourself because inside of you is your purpose. Your purpose and power will help you navigate the road that belongs to you and in that navigation you will become stronger.”
Lifford will bring her message of healing and wholeness to Denver on October 23 at An Evening with Tina Lifford, presented by the Center for African American Health. In honor of Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month, she’ll share practical tools from her Inner Fitness Project to help our community confront lies, embrace truth, and move toward living with purpose.
For tickets and more information, visit www.caahealth.org
