random ramblings Archives - Tiffany Joy

Let’s Look At My Artistic Background

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 23, 2021January 7, 2021No Comments

First don’t I look all put together and professional in this picture.

Now, as we start the new year, here is a reminder of where I’ve been and the background to my creativity. If I was all put together, this would have been the first week of 2021. At least in the first month.

My Artistic Background.

I am super grateful for my mom and her support of my creativity. Growing up, she really nurtured my creative side. She enrolled me in dance when I was 5 and it seems like my creativity snowballed from there. I started musical theater when I was 10 and wrote endless narratives around that time too.

After high school, I went to college for Theater. I graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in Theater and Dance with a concentration in Acting and Directing. All throughout that time I wrote, drew, and painted. However, after college, I explored different career options. I stayed creative in my free time, while I had my survival jobs. Those jobs include job coaching for developmentally-delayed adults, 3 roles in web security, and a lead salad bar prepper. I love how random my jobs have been, but nothing seemed to fit, because nothing was creative enough.

Writing and art have always been my first passion and in 2018 I left my salary job to pursue my art business more. After a year and a few months in a kitchen job, I devoted most of my time to my art business. I became full time with my art in 2020. I do still love my part-time job as a church admin, but my art business takes up most of my time.

It is true this art business of mine has morphed and changed over the years. My energy with being creative has ebbed and flowed over the years, but I am delighted that I can spend more time creating. This past year really taught me who I was and what art means to me. I believe writing, painting, drawing, and helping others is what I am made to do.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

All My Wonderful Forms Of Creativity

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 16, 2021January 15, 2021No Comments

Having multiple creative outlets is a balancing act. If you didn’t know I write, paint, draw digitally, and do other things when I have time. Some days and weeks I feel put together with everything well balanced. Those weeks I have planned well and no outside forces have negatively affected my schedule. More often than not I am in a good habit of resting and recharging. Those weeks are great.

Other weeks are a bit of a different story. It can seem one area or another starts slipping from my grasp. It’s like my plate gets bumped and jumbled up. Things don’t seem to fit into place those weeks.

Then they are weeks where I don’t know what’s going on and just hanging on. I feel a bit crazy those weeks. It’s like I’m on a rollercoaster in the dark and just have to do what I can until I can reset my focus.

I would not trade all the crazy, stressful, or upside down weeks for anything though. Being creative is who I am. Each aspect of my creativity reflects a need of mine, and each outlet helps me differently. Writing poetry helps me explore emotions that I need to understand. Painting helps me express emotions that I need to express and feel, but may not need to put words to. Telling stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, helps me share truths and entertain at least myself. Drawing and working with clay or paper mache helps me think through things.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

To Love Was Not Written Alone

by tiffanyrandom ramblings, To Love Updates January 14, 2021January 8, 2021No Comments

The craft of writing can be a solitary endeavor. If you have a day job and a life outside of writing, like most authors, writing a book can also be a lengthy process. Personally, it took me five years to complete my book To Love and a lot of alone time.

I had people helping me

However, I did not write To Love in a void. Yes, I wrote and edited a good chunk of the book in my room or alone at the coffeehouse. There was also a good chunk of time that I wrote with a friend. He worked on his project as I worked on mine. This helped me stay focused and motivated, especially in the beginning.

I also had my sister, who is a fellow writer and my editor, as needed support and help. I could turn to her to talk about aspects of my book and get early feedback.

It was with all my friends and family members that I wrote, illustrated, and published my memoir To Love. Even though writing is a solitary hobby or career, it goes smoother if you have other people to help you achieve your goals.

I had God on my side

Another thing you will need is faith. You need to believe the book you are writing needs to be a book. Your story or knowledge needs to be out in the world for others to read.

I write about the faith it took to write To Love in the book. I talk about the journey the book itself is on. The book changed and morphed from a collection of thoughts into a memoir focused on love. With every change I had to have faith, it was what needed to happen. At points the faith I had faltered, which was okay because it always came back.

One reason I regained my faith in writing the book was because I had faith in God. I was confident He called me to write this weird book. Being a writing is who He called me to be, and this book had to be my first proper book. It was just how it needed to be.

With To Love I learned a lot, grew as an author, and God taught me a few things. It was tough, but I am grateful that I had God and my loved ones on my side.

Want More?

To Love is sold on Amazon and if you would like to read more excerpts you can go the To Love Updates section of this site. I also created some fun promotional videos on Youtube.

I want to love all

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 9, 2021January 6, 2021No Comments

It doesn’t matter who you are or who you love; I want to love all. What that means is that even if I don’t agree with one aspect of your life, I will treat you how I want you to treat me and come alongside you to support you. It doesn’t matter if you follow different rules in your life or act differently than me. You are human and deserve my respect and love. We each have a different path to walk and we each need love and support on that walk.

Yes, I believe in the God of the Bible and try to imitate Jesus as much as I can. That is partly why I want to let you know that I will love you no matter who you are. Jesus loved those that society said he shouldn’t and showed kindness and respect to those forgotten or rejected by most.

Loving God helps me love others, and the second greatest commandment is “love your neighbor.” To me, everyone on this planet is my neighbor, so I’ll love everyone on this planet if they let me. It is as simple as showing others the respect and kindness that you want them to show to you, even if they are not acting the same way. Sometimes love is understanding that someone’s trauma or brokenness is preventing them from loving. That doesn’t mean you should stop loving.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

3 Fun Facts About Me

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 2, 2021December 17, 2020No Comments

You may have noticed that about once a week I post somewhat random posts to this account. I call them my wildcard posts. I mean them to be fun insights to who I am. This week is no different. I want to pull back the curtain, so to speak, and show you a little more of me. However, this is going to be more direct.

I am simply going to share 3 facts about myself that you may not know.

I have been in 25 musicals and 4 straight plays.
About 11 years ago I became a Christian.
I have 7 siblings

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Reflection on a weird year

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings December 31, 2020December 21, 2020No Comments

As the year ends, I like to reflect on what I’ve learned this year. We can all agree that 2020 has been a unique and challenging year.

If I knew a fraction of what was to come in this year, I may have thought differently about starting my art business in January. Of course, I am happy that I have worked more towards my ideal life in big ways.

I keep forgetting how much I’ve done this year and the good that this year brought me. I have been focusing on the craziness that has been happening and pulling me done.

This year I’ve published my first book (To Love) and really started promoting my poetry along with my visual art. I’ve experimented with different styles in digital art and different things to post on social media. Also, I’ve fine-tuned the focus on my art business and creative projects. This year has really been a year of growth for me in a lot of areas in my life. I am farther ahead in my art business. I am in a better mental health state since I’ve had so much time to journal and I have spent a lot more regular time with God too. Even with all the struggles, worries, and challenges this year, it has been a good year.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

A Quick Merry Christmas Post

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings December 25, 2020December 21, 2020No Comments

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am so thankful for the reason for this holiday and the traditions I have been able to maintain. There are so much love and gratitude in my heart and in my life. I can really see it and connect with it around Christmas time, which makes me so happy.

I hope that you can find things to cherish and remember God’s love for you this Christmas. Have a merry and bright holiday.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I have been keeping my Instagram account pretty updated with Christmas cheer lately. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Giving Art

by tiffanyother updates, random ramblings September 9, 2015One Comment

I really want you to know my art is my soul. If I give you a painting I’m giving you a piece of solid love. A story created for you is my heart forming words solely for you. A sculpture, a gift, a puppet, or jewelry are 3D versions of pieces of my soul given to the ones I love.

So if you give me your art I see your heart, or love, or soul intertwined in it. I see your love in art, and I am truly grateful that you trust me with it.

Art means a lot to me. I believe just like love, art should be spread around and given out. We should cherish it not only for its physical beauty, but what is behind it.

My Ring

by tiffanyother updates, random ramblings September 1, 2015One Comment

I started to wear a band on my ring finger of my right hand. It is a spinning ring with the following inscribed on the outside, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ” Inside it says, “Philippians 4:13” and “forgiven.”

I almost didn’t get it. I don’t wear jewelry on a regular basis and it’s pretty plan. It’s just a shiny silver band with a slightly less shiny spinning piece on top. That is it. There are no flowers, hearts, crosses, or faces. There is no quirkiness to this ring.

Still I got it as a reminder that God is with me and he is my strength. I also got it as a symbol that I will live my life fully for him.

I ordered it from Amazon in a size I thought would fit and was really happy when it had arrived. I’m sure you realize by that wording, it did not fit. It was too small. I learned that day that you should not try to it a spinning ring on a finger if the ring is too small. It does not matter how excited and happy you are to have the ring. Do not force it to go on. I did not have fun trying to twist off the ring with it spinning instead.

I returned it and got a size bigger. This was a good thing, so even though it’s a bit big, even though it’s a bit plan, and even though I do not normally wear jewelry there has not been a day that I haven’t put this ring on.

I wear it as a reminder each day that God is with me and that I can lean on him.It’s also great as a fidget tool, so that I can focus on the ring instead of nerves or loosing my train of thought.

It is true that I don’t normally wear jewelry, but this ring goes on when my glasses do and stays on all day. It is becoming as needed as my glasses, too. It calms me and reminds me of my strength.

Thank you for reading and that is all about my ring.

Elevation

by tiffanyother updates, random ramblings August 27, 2015One Comment

After my layover chat with the Mormons I realized I never write in detail about my church. I love it yet I’ve never wrote about it. It is so unique, authentic and loving that I believe our story should be told.

The story of Elevation has to start with the pastor, Chuckk (yes, spell check it has 2 k’s). I believe his openness to share his past, personality, and love is the reason everyone involved with the church feels safe to share and be themselves. It is a beautiful thing when a group of people can be authentically themselves as they journey towards a personal relationship with God the creator.

When there are no wall or barriers to break through you can then start to learn and grow with people on the same journey as you.

Chuckk’s wife, Andrea, of course needs to be spoken about. She is there every week setting up environment and loving people. She is encouraging and a strong Christian woman. She has become my mentor and one of the ladies who I look up to. She leads by example and makes sure everyone feels welcomed into our church.

I could go on about ever single person that is important to the church but that would fill a book and I am not up for that right now. I would most likely forget to mention the middle school leader or the grumpy guitarist. I’ll just leave talking about each awesome person for another post. Or maybe it would be another series.

I really want to focus on what makes Elevation, Elevation. The people are what is important and what gives Elevation the unique feeling but that is not the only thing. People where I start when I think about Elevation.

We believe that Church is not about the building or even the weekly service. The Church is the people who make up the community of believers we hang out with. And most do hang out either after service, during the week, or at random events. It seems like lately there are a bunch of events that people are going to and inviting other members. Elevation also organizes events, because we know that there is only so much that can be learned from Chuckk and it takes community to really grow and help others grow.

We do have service each week which is important. This is where we can worship and learn about God from a smart dude who very obviously knows God and has a deep relationship with him.

We also get to express our love for God through music which, Jeremy leads. He is also a pretty great dude. I mean he was willing to leave his home in Colorado to move to an un-churched area for the worship leader position that can only pay him as a part-time position. If that isn’t trusting God I’m not positive what is. HE also has a wonderful talent for finding great musicians.

The skill of musical people and other creative people are part of the culture of Elevation. This is also one reason I fit into this church. We are weird creative people who love God.

The mission statement of Elevation is, “Elevation exists to worship God, reach the unconvinced and together grow to be more like Jesus.” The 7 guiding values are, “Scripture-centric Teaching, Cultural Relevance, Missional Living, Engaging Worship, Authentic Community, Transformed Lives, and Focused Simplicity”

Oh yeah and we must be cool because we meet at a night club/ bar. You see we believe the actual locations doesn’t matter. We just need a space to meet in regularly. Plus, more people may feel alright going to a night club and not a cathedral or other church building.

For more information about my amazing Church you can go to Elevation’s website.

Let me know if you have any questions about Elevation or church in general; and all feedback is welcomed.