Dr. Charles W. Ferguson

I was thinking today about how much I love two specific drinks. My body needs and wants water. I drink so much water that my wife would swear that I am a fish. But, I also enjoy the cool, refreshing taste of Mountain Dew. It has enough caffeine for my day. It has enough taste for my enjoyment.

Each of these drinks serve a purpose in the course of my day. As I stated before water brings life to my entire system. It flushes out toxins, softens the skin, and hydrates all my vital organs. Water is a necessary component for living.

In contrast, mountain dew is only good for one specific thing. And it gives an instant, temporary energy boost. This pop has given me more quick bursts in my academic journey, preaching preparation, and moments of anticipation than any other drink I can think of.

So why am I talking about these two drinks? I speak of them as object lessons for our lives. Sometimes in life people, situations, circumstances, or any other aspect of life provides certain aspects to our living that are good and necessary.

Some elements are water for our souls. We find refreshing when we listen to certain people. We find encouragement that washes away the toxins of doubt and fear. We discover moments that invigorate our purpose in our destiny all in one shot. Everyone needs water daily.

Sometimes, life presents us with caffeinated moments. They give us an energy boost to fulfill our purpose and our destiny. They give us a jolt so that we can demonstrate to the world that we don’t sit idly by while life passes. We have opportunities that generate a fire and an determination that seems to come out of nowhere if only for a moment.

Here is the kicker. Too much of a good thing can cause harm at unexpected moments.

As much as I love Mountain Dew, I would never drink it at the same capacity of drinking water daily. My body would begin to crave the caffeine so much that any level of withdrawal could do damage to my mind, my nerves, or any other aspect of my body.

Even water can potential he have damaging affects. If I drink too much at one time, my body can lock up. Too much water may be a sign that I’m thirsting for something else. It may be a sign that my body craves not the water, but other food, sugar, or anything else that the body may desire.

So be careful too many compliments. Be aware of too many moments that become pressing and not actual opportunities. Be careful of creating more energy for insignificant things and running out of that same energy to give to the most important elements of your life.

Stay balanced in your thirst, my friends.

Today, I had the opportunity to talk to my brother-in-law about a whole lot of things. He shared with me many challenges and issues that of been going on in his life, that I definitely will not make mention of in this post. We talked for several hours, which for me at times can be very challenging. Why? I am a part of a group of people that have unusual challenges when it comes to the crowds, group settings, and other social events. I am an extroverted introvert.

There are many articles about people like me. Nevertheless, the main idea about my level of condition is I function best in intimate settings. My main objective in life is not necessarily to obtain great wealth, possessions, or even notoriety. (My publisher will probably kill me for that last line. LOL) My main objective is to create relationships with people.

For me, relationships that possess great value bring a serious level of life and energy to my existence. Over the past several days, I have been reflecting on the thought of why relationships are so important to me. My conversation with my brother-in-law unveiled why relationships are so important.

Having relationships provide the opportunity for individuals to give and to gain from being in one another’s presence. We don’t always seek out people for the purposes of meeting our desires. However, whenever you engage with an individual or allow that person into your intimate space, you are suggesting that this individual is important enough to engage in dialogue and conversation about the deepest places of the heart.

After reading this, you may say this is nothing more than the ramblings of an individual who can’t go to sleep. Part of that maybe true. Nevertheless, I challenge you to consider for a moment the following concepts.

1. Who is worthy of your time?
2. Do those people enhance your existence?
3. Is it possible that you might need a different circle?
4. Relationships must always build up and create life for all involved!

When I consider everything that I’ve done in life, and the people who have been a part of the journey, I must be honest in saying the only people that yet remain are those that have decided to engage in a real relationship building. I have discovered about myself that I can no longer engage people or allow people to invade my space with negativity and lack of progression.

So what are you saying?

I’m saying that in order for me to have the best and most important relationships of my life to date, I must engage with those that are willing and desire the same objective. I submit to you, consider the people you’re around. Consider their motives. Consider their direction. Everybody will not make it to the finish line with you. That is by design you know. Why? Because everybody has to want the deep things of the heart and mind. Do not waste energy on those that only want to remain in the same space when they know there is greater.

Beloved, engage as I have and do a heart check. If your heart doesn’t beat in the presence of your circle, ask God to resurrect your life today. Get your heartbeat back!

In preparing for my first published book, I’ve had to sit down with my publisher on many occasions to talk about the project. Yesterday, I ran into a moment where I began to default to old habits. I was asked pointblankly, are you OK? All I could do was sit there and say, I’m OK. Deep in my heart, I knew I wasn’t OK.

Before my meeting, I was dealing with so many emotions about life, the project, work, and internal strife. It felt like I couldn’t shake the idea that for the first time in my life I was close – I am close – to completing a major project that is not academic. Needless to say, your boy was dealing with serious fear. While wrestling fear, I did not have the heart to just say help.

Why does this happen to anybody?

In my case, I was always taught to find a way back to get it done. For me it was a coping and defensive mechanism to make sure that people didn’t hurt me, that I old no man or woman a debt, and in a sick twisted way I learned self-reliance.

Now is a grown man I realize the serious error of my ways. There’s no such thing as weakness when we need to ask for help. It is in the asking for help we learn about our own strengths and weaknesses. We find out if our personal circles have strengths or serious deficiencies. We discover our own limitations and our willingness to go beyond our competencies to find greater resources that enhance our ability to be great.

Help is not a stumbling block. Help is not a cry to expose our weaknesses. Help is necessary to build us up and take us places we have never been. So if you are a leader, a servant, a visionary, or a dreamer remember that asking for help is necessary to launch you to higher heights and deeper depths.

Have you ever heard of the word team? A team relies on several parts for success. In the early 90s, Michael Jordan finally found success when he went all in with his team. Yes, he is an all-time great, but without the other parts he would’ve never won six championships.

If we are going to find true success, we must be willing to let others not only support us, but help us also. More than you realize, the best parts of your life are always in position to aid you to your destiny.