Who is Flippen Faith?

Well… I am a 34-year-old mother of 4, and a woman who lives by FAITH with a story to tell.

My story begins in the womb of my mother, a 16-year-old, pregnant by a man who does not desire to be a father. And being plagued by the religious fear of abortion, I was thrusted into this world. At the age of five, I had my first encounter with heartbreak in the form of rejection. It started when I called my paternal grandmother looking for my father. After answering her identifying questions, she responded saying,” Dougie doesn’t have a daughter named Denise and don’t call back to my house anymore”. This upset my mother and maternal grandmother, so much so, they called her back and began to cuss her out; however, their emotional reactions were only gratifying to their flesh and did nothing for my broken heart. This behavior allowed the seed of rejection that she planted within me to grow into bitter roots. The fruit produced caused me to constantly chase for the approval of others. This includes my mother as she married and had more children, but never coming face to face with her own insecurities, many family members who did not approve of our living conditions and consistently talked down on us, and neighborhood and school social groups where I was forced to fight consistently because I lacked a pleasurable appearance. The rejection of a childhood crush led to sexual behavior, as I longed to feel loved or ever desired. My life became a performance in effort to fit in. And eventually I was 15 and pregnant.

Due to my mother's relentless quest for approval, she succumbed to the pressures of religious conformity. Despite her disapproval of abortion, the shame brought by having a pregnant 15-year-old daughter was even greater. I stood by my decision to bring my daughter's life into this world but was met with much criticism. These religious influences further strained our already troubled relationship. I grew to resent myself, leading to a downward spiral. After four children, a nursing career I settled for, and losing loved ones, I fell into deep depression. In a moment of despair, I attempted to end my life, only to hear God's voice asking, "Are you finished?" "I am, Lord. I can't go on like this," I responded. "Good... Now I can live through you," He declared. This pivotal moment altered the course of my life forever.

I began to recognize God's voice in my life and the significance of obeying His guidance. To grow into my true identity as a reflection of Him, I had to unlearn a lot. Religion has caused immense suffering, and God is requiring representatives of His Truth, Love, Grace, and Space. These elements are essential for genuine healing and liberation for all people. It was important that I developed a personal relationship with God on my own terms to serve as His hands, Feet, Heart, and Voice for those in need of divine intervention. I am grateful that I embarked upon this journey! Today, I am deeply in love with myself, and I extend this love to others to assist them in embracing self-love.

The Challenges I've Faced Along This Self-Love Journey

The journey has been filled with many challenges. I had to let go of everything dear to me that I had worked hard to obtain. This included my nursing career, home, vehicles, a 13-year relationship with the father of my children, and for what felt like an eternity, my children. My sense of self was intertwined with everything except my own being. I was lost outside of my role as a mother, so God required me to be alone. In 2018, my children went to live with their father as I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. I realized that without understanding or having a healthy relationship with myself, I could not be the mother my children needed and deserved. This decision brought me much sorrow but was essential. My bond with my children has greatly strengthened, and my ability to support them in all aspects of their lives has also improved drastically. I have paved a way for them to walk in their purpose and passion without limitations.

People’s opinions of my journey made want me to quit countless times; however, the biggest battle wasn’t the outside voices spewing venom, it was the thoughts that I was thinking toward myself. We are our biggest enemy and the only way to truly overcome adversity is to go face-to-face with our fears and insecurities. Being honest with ourselves and taking intentional steps in the direction that we desire to go is not easy, but well worth it.

My Childhood Memories and How They Are Affecting the Way I Do Life Today!

Recalling happy memories from my childhood can be difficult, but one bright spot was the time spent at my dear Aunt Tiasha's home. She cared for me like a mother, accepting me with all my imperfections. My own lack of memorable experiences has made me determined to create meaningful moments for my own children. They play a significant role in both my personal and professional life, often accompanying me on travels and learning to pursue their own aspirations by observing me pursue mine. I make a conscious effort to understand their feelings, dreams, and interests, meeting them where they are and supporting them on their journey of self-discovery. I invest my time, skills, and resources into nurturing their passions. By letting go of the things tied to my past survival, I now have the space to create valuable memories. Instead of being consumed by material pursuits, I now focus on building a fulfilling life for myself and my children.

The FlippenFaith Services...

Today, I am known as FlippenFaith, and the services I provide are designed strategically to assist individuals in breaking free from societal labels and the burden of past experiences. With my special insight into God's Love, Grace, and Space, I can support people at any stage of life and accompany them on the path to genuine liberation.

FlippenFaith Services was introduced through a Murder Mystery Dinner event held during the pandemic. This presented a valuable opportunity to unite a diverse group of individuals and nurture a sense of community. Amid the chaos and unrest caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and George Floyd's tragedy, we sought solace and connection. The murder mystery functioned as a catalyst for deeper conversations about the ongoing challenges in our communities. The evening was filled with acting, laughter, and bonding, yet it also underscored the importance of taking a more active role in supporting our youth. The event was a success, leading to continued communication with some attendees who are now actively involved in community initiatives and their own projects.

In April 2022, I organized my inaugural retreat under the theme “My Sister’s Keeper,” inspired by a supportive friend who always pushes me to exceed my limits. This project stands out as my favorite so far. The retreat was designed for a group of 10 women, including myself. Nine incredible women joined from Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, and New York to participate in a space of releasing and uprooting long-held fears. Letting go of these fears led to a newfound courage to embrace fresh opportunities, sowing seeds of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. The profound experiences and transformations that unfolded over the weekend are indescribable. New bonds were formed, and support systems were established.

At present, FlippenFaith Services offers online programs designed to assist individuals in navigating the intricacies of self-love. Love: The Effective Weapon is a Self-Coaching Program that incorporates teachings, biblical narratives, personal accounts, and journaling prompts to support individuals in their quest for self-discovery. Upon finishing the program, we will start to perceive our lives in a new light, empowering us to love others in a more impactful manner. Through this program, we will come to understand that love is not about selfishness or seeking approval, but about setting healthy boundaries.

Our upcoming initiative involves forming partnerships. We aim to collaborate with various brands and organizations to sow seeds of love in all those we reach. Our primary focus is on individuals who have faced oppression stemming from domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and incarceration. If you are interested in spreading love successfully in your life and to those around you, let's talk about how we can incorporate the "Love: The Effective Weapon" Self-Coaching Program into your organization.