Sacred Vessel Restoration

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:00:00 Some of the conversations I have with my best friends are often, hey, I understand where you're coming from and you're wrong. Adjust. I'm sorry. Did it get hot in here? just. Hey, beautiful sunshine. I hope you are having a wonderful day today. We're gonna start with a prayer this morning. Usually the prayers are done off camera, but I can't be the only person struggling. Okay, so, Father God, we come to you with all of our plans, our goals and our visions, submitting them to your will, knowing that what you have for us is best for us. We thank you that there is nothing that we can delay, that is in your will for our lives, and that you are truly in our corner. Even on days, it doesn't always feel like it. So thank you for the lessons, the blessings and the challenges of our lives as we continue to grow closer to you and move in purpose. Amen. All right. My beautiful people, we're talking about our goals today, and we're committing to them this time.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:01:22 I know it sucks because you you thought you committed last time. Guess what we have said. I have set many different goals, and they don't always come together. And half the reason they don't come together is because I didn't plan it out with some people I trust. Right. So people that I trust and that will hold me accountable. That is one of the biggest portions of staying committed to your goals. So find a mentor. that could be someone that you trust and, you know, in your personal circle, which is the best form of mentor, because those people can give you feedback on what you're doing and the steps that you're taking, right? However, all of your mentors are not going to be local mentors. There are so many mentorship programs and individuals who may be in your industry that aren't in your area. every once in a while, we find a niche or a topic that the the best person or the best influence you found is somebody that lives in California. Now, mind you, I live in North Carolina.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:02:36 Okay. That's a little bit of a distance. You're probably not going to have a personal relationship with that person unless they are actually physically willing to, or willing to take the time out of their schedules to do phone calls and do meetups. Right. And I'm not saying that's not possible. There are many people who have mentorship programs who do those things, but if they're not local and you can't touch the hem of the garment. Right. Try finding people with present with social media presentation or that present in a way you would like to present. Understanding that they are human, and because you don't have a personal relationship with them, you don't know what they do outside of the business they show to the public. Right? So be mindful of who you're attaching yourself to. Pray on it. Okay. but if you are being led by Christ, if you're finding people who are truly in the business of serving others, you're likely to find some really great information. Also, when I say find a mentor, sometimes there is the desire to find more than one.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:03:56 I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I'm saying that different people are in different areas of their lives, and they may give you information that contradicts if you have more than one. Be mindful of who you let into your space and who you allow to help you build this vision out. Okay, now that I said that everyone that you have a authentic relationship with is not going to be a mentor. Okay. Some of my most meaningful and authentic relationships. First, let me say a mentor is typically someone who is where you want to be. Okay. there's somebody that has already done it, and you want to be where they are, or you want to be in a place that they have been before. Now, some of those meaningful relationships aren't going to be mentorship programs. Some of them are going to be people who are working in the areas, or they're working at the same level that you're at. Whether it's the same business or the same idea or not. But they are amazing sounding boards.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:05:05 These are the people that you call and say, yo, I'm stressed. Let me tell you what's going on. And they're likely going to have some really good feedback for you because these are your friends. These are your trusted individuals in life. These are your teachers, your apostles and church, those that you're close with. maybe even your parents. Like, I really hope that some of you have amazing parents. I realize we didn't all get that that particular blessing, right? Some of us feel like we're parenting our parents and not in the best way. But if your parents are sound individuals, baby, check in with them, folks. Ask them some questions about life, the experiences they have had. Oh, I've had some conversations this year that make me go. I'm sorry. You. What? You lived what life before I got here. Oh, okay. Ask your mom and daddy some questions. All right. Build meaningful and authentic relationships. And that looks like not just talking about your favorite food or your favorite color with the people in your life.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:06:13 I know surface conversation was comfortable for some of us, but it doesn't help us grow. It might feel good, but the goal here is to grow toward the thing we want, right? So that looks like people who are going to tell you when you messed up. I know. Accountability. Yup. and then you have to take the time to reflect on the information and the feedback you're getting. Does that mean everything that someone says is going to apply to your life. No it doesn't. It does mean you need to take the time to think about what they've said. Do some introspection. How does this apply to your life? How does this apply to your experiences? Are there places where you can grow here? I promise you, the answer is yes to at least something they said. Even if the something they said led your brain on a tangent to somewhere else, there's somewhere for you to grow. Okay. When you're building these relationships, be mindful to be yourself, okay. Because putting up a presentation that is not who you are makes it harder for people to get to know you, and it makes it harder for people to help you like the real you, the person that's struggling, right? because guess what? We are all very much so human and we have our own battles.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:07:51 It seems really easy to not tell people about those battles sometimes. And I get it. I've been there. I'm not saying that you won't have days where you choose to hide in the shadows, but when you're in the light, it's such a beautiful thing. Okay, so be yourself. My mama says this thing. Those who mind don't matter. And those who matter won't mind. The people that are meant to be in your tribe are going to flock to you because of who you are, because of the gifting and the calling on your life. Be authentic. You're going to bless somebody by showing up in this space the way that you are, not by trying to make yourself something else because you saw it. This really cool person from.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:08:36 California do it. Okay.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:08:39 The best part of finding our tribes is that then we have communities, even if this isn't goal oriented. We have communities who love us for who we are. That is one of the most important parts of this experience in life.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:08:56 We all have our quirks. We're all a little weird, maybe a little crazy. We've all had different life experiences. Finding people who understand where you're coming from and have patience and grace and mercy for you while also correcting you. That's a really good place to start focusing on your goals, because they aren't going to let you slip just because you have a legitimate reason for the thing, right? some of the conversations I have with my best friends are often a I understand where you're coming from and you're wrong. Adjust. I'm sorry. Did it get hot in here? just I'm wrong baby. What? No. Not me, not me. Honey. Yeah. It's you, it's me. It's us. We are the problem sometimes. so now that you have some amazing relationships, you've got your mentor. You've built some meaningful and authentic relationships. You found your tribe. Oh, okay. What do we do now? now, this one is a little interesting, right? Because, yes, it's a part of committing to your goals.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:10:10 But when do you learn to do it? You learn to do it throughout the process. Okay. Learn to say no. Be mindful of your time. So just because you were invited and you love this person dearly does not mean you have to go. If you're exhausted, rest is still a priority. I'm gonna talk about rest for the rest of my life. Okay. Rest is still a priority. So if you've been running for three weeks and you don't have it, don't give it, okay? Unless the Lord says Otherwise. Or you feel the unction of the Holy Spirit. Hey, do what you gotta do, baby. that looks like when people ask you if you can do something and it's going to put you in a time crunch for your schedule. Yeah, I know you have two hours before you need to be at work, but, you know, this person in particular has no time management skills. So if you go with them, you may be out for four hours, or you may be out for an hour and 40 minutes, which puts you in a rush and causes you stress.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:11:15 Baby, no, I don't have time today, but let's look at the schedule for next week. Let's look at the schedule for tomorrow. Because yes, I want to help. But no, right now it's not a good time. Okay, I know, I know, it hurts. I'm sorry. Don't worry. It hurt. Me too. We're living and learning this thing together, okay? Sometimes you want to show up and you literally do not have the capacity. Now be mindful that saying no. Does not mean you stop enjoying life. Actually, sometimes you enjoy life a little bit more when you say no more often. Why? Because you're less stressed. You're doing things that bring a little more joy to your life. Okay, so don't waste time on things that aren't important. If it's important to you, fit it in your schedule. I o schedule. You say yes, I say schedule. Calendar baby is your best friend. I am learning. I. I am at this moment learning how to use my calendar effectively.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:12:27 My friends will tell you if it's not in her calendar, she probably not going to remember it. Okay. And it relieves so much mental load to put it in a calendar. So when someone says, hey, can you do such and such on Friday? I can do it after four, or we're going to have to find another day to do it. And back to learning to say no. Lack of preparation on someone else's side does not make for an emergency on your side. My love. Okay. I know it's easier to try to help them figure out the thing. They knew two months ago that they had something that they needed done by due date. If they waited until two days before the due date. I know that's your best friend. That's your mama, that's your daddy. That's your cousin. And you want to help, I understand. But if helping them literally breaks your back or figuratively breaks your back, you have to learn to say no. Now, the unhealthy way. This is not healthy.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:13:39 The unhealthy way that I've learned to say no sometimes before I got to where I am now. My friends will tell you. I'll say no quickly if I can't do it. Okay? Before I got to where I am now, the unhealthy way I said no was just not responding. No, that's not that's not good. It's not. I can admit that, but I didn't stress myself out either. Now learn better skills. Right. So we're learning to communicate because communication is the thing that keeps us functioning at our best. Less stressed. Better friendships. Better relationships. Better business. Okay, I know everyone's goal or vision isn't to create a business. Maybe your vision is for your family health and well-being, right? Maybe that's to spend more time outside, and now you have to figure out how to get to that goal. Write it out. Make it plain. There's actually scripture for that. So most of us have heard write it out and make it plain at some point in our lives.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:14:40 some of us have heard it more in church than in other places. Right. So now. Now, now, saints and aunts, I'm taking from Jackie. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Saints and aunts. We're going to the Bible, and I need you to understand that I might butcher the name of this, this book, but here we are. Alright. It's Habakkuk. Okay. Chapter two, verse two. And it says, mind you, I am reading from the NLT version. It says, then the Lord said to me, write it your answers plainly on the tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end and it will be fulfilled if it seems slow in coming. Wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Now I know the shortly take place feels a little. When is the take place part? Because you said it would be a win. Because it feels like it's been a month, a year, a decade with Lord Wynn.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:15:55 Okay, here's the problem. Our time and God's time. It's not the same time. I know at this point most of us have felt that, heard that and understand it to be true. And it can be really uncomfortable, but understanding that it will come, even if it seems like it's moving very slowly in your direction, brings so much peace. Like you don't have to stress out about it. the thing that I know about the God that I serve, Jehovah Jireh. Oh, is that if he said it. I'm gonna have it. If it's intended for me, it's going to get to me, baby. The angels are fighting on my behalf to get me the blessing, the miracle, the gift that God has, has on my on my behalf. Alright. I don't have to do too much. I have to stay faithful. I have to continue to trust. But it's mine. And that's all. That's all that was said when you were two and your mama said you was getting ice cream after school.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:17:01 Did you doubt it? Oh, okay. But you had to wait till after school. That's the uncomfortable part, because now every second on the clock is taking 20s instead of one, right? But you're going to get to the end of the day. You're going to get to after school, you're going to get to pick up, and then you're going to get the ice cream. But you got to wait a little while. All right. Stress. Stress and all. Discomfort and all. I'm talking to myself.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:17:27 On this one. and that's okay.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:17:31 We're also going.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:17:32 To look at Proverbs 21.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:17:35 Verse five. this is good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Wealth created by a lying tongue is vanishing mist and a deadly trap. In the time that you are, you are working toward goals. And you're being committed to your goals. And you're writing down the vision and you're talking to people about it. Be mindful of what you say. We don't want our our lying tongues to create vanishing mess.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:18:18 We don't want our lying tongues to create vanishing mist of the wealth that we are attempting to build, right? We're being mindful of the promises we make. We're being very mindful of the things we say to people because your tongue has the power of life and death. Alright, I love you, I know. Now, while we are making these relationships and we are working toward them because faith without work is dead. Which is what you may also see. If you were to look somewhere in the Bible. Okay, there's Bible for it all, I promise. If you aren't doing the work, then what happens? Absolutely nothing. So take the steps. Okay. Take the steps now. Be mindful. This is a process. And even when you get to the end of the process, there's probably more process after that. I know it sounds awful. Every time I think I've achieved a goal or I'm satisfied with life. Something else. Something else almost every time. And there's nothing wrong with that, because life is a process of growth and challenge and joy and discomfort.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:19:40 There seasons for everything, right? Make sure that you are finding joy in the process that may look like spending more time outside. If you know me, you know that the outside is one of my favorite places to be. Let it be a cool, breezy day. I'm gonna be outside. Let it be a cold day. I'm gonna be outside. If it's a little too hot, I might crack the door and stay inside. But I want some outside air. You know what I'm saying? I don't like to sweat too much. I prefer to do that when I'm at the gym. Otherwise I'm good. Okay. Find something that brings you joy and I. What I need you to understand is that everything that brings you joy, every outing you take does not have to cost you money. Do you know how many events are happening in your community that are free a lot? So check out your city's community website or your, your public pages for your city. Right. Most of the time there are events out there that are just community events like come out, celebrate, come to the park for music.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:20:50 You think I'm exaggerating? There are events at the park with music at least once a year. Like the people love their music outside. Okay. Find something that brings you joy. Go do it. Is that laying on your floor and just stretching out because you've been busy? All right. Do that. All right, friends. My loves, we have taken our steps toward our goals. I need you to understand a lesson I have learned. Time and time again. You know how they say failure isn't an option? Yeah. They're right. It's inevitable. It's going to happen. All right. either you're going to mess up or someone you know is going to mess up, or someone you don't know is going to mess up. You're going to get to see what happens when that thing happens, right? When you say what you shouldn't have said or they say what they shouldn't have said, you're going to see what happens when people make mistakes. Get comfortable with learning from the mistakes of those around you and the mistakes that you make.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:21:53 Acting like the things don't go wrong. Acting like mistakes don't happen and failure doesn't exist. Sets you up to not learn from mistakes. Most people are going to tell you that learning from your mistakes is one of the best things you could do. If you don't learn from your mistakes, then you are likely going to continue doing the same thing expecting different results. What is that? That's the definition of insanity. My darling. So learn from mistakes. Find the patterns in life that are not healthy and break them. I don't know what that looks like for you. That's why you have your mentor. That is why you have your friends. Okay, people who are going to tell you the truth and help you get out of the place you're stuck in. If you're willing to escape because we can't drag you. Now that we have taken the time to reflect on the failures of others, our failures, our experiences where we could have done better, where we did great, what I need you to also know is reflection isn't just for the places where you messed up.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:23:10 It's for the places you did really well and you're proud of yourself. This thing called life is not easy, my friend. It's not easy. It's not simple. It can be uncomfortable. You did good. Somewhere in there. Even if you're good, was the first thing in the morning because you had a rough day ever since, like you did. Good. Congratulations. This is the most sincere. Very quiet. Round of applause, right. Take the time to acknowledge where you do. Well. You deserve it. It gives you the energy to tackle the places you need to grow. Once you acknowledge the things you've done well. Because I can assure you that some of the things you did well this year are things you failed at last year. Yeah, I know now. Last thing I want to make sure. I tell you, my love, my darling, my sunshine. Okay. Saving and investing is vital for achieving your goals. Why? Because, yes, there are many things that are free or don't cost much, but most of us want to live a comfortable life.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:24:28 And at some point, you're going to need money to do that. Okay. So save. Invest. Find a financial advisor. I know that service isn't always inexpensive, but there are always people around who are willing to help if you ask questions. Some of them may be on YouTube, but YouTube University exists for a reason. Go get the information you need. Ask the questions. I know AI has some downfalls. The the ChatGPT. I think I said that right has some downfalls, but there is some amazing information in these tools that you can use for your benefit. So baby, go check it out. Find something helpful. Find a place where you can call your own. Whether you decide to save in a bank. Or you decide to save under your mattress. If it's under your mattress, don't tell nobody unless you trust them. Okay? Alright. but do something to prepare yourself for the future that you are working toward now. Because you deserve the best. Because you're God's child. Alright, I hope this has been a helpful episode.

Ann-Jerrica Artis 00:25:48 I love you to the moon and back and I hope you have a spectacular day. Bye.