This morning, the minister at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville related an insight I had not heard before, concerning the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat: a thermometer reflects the environment; a thermostat assesses the environment and responds. He went on to challenge his congregation to be like thermostats; don’t just reflect what is going on around you and in the world. Assess what is going on but respond in a way that improves the climate.
I would add only this point to his wisdom: the only way the thermostat is capable of doing more than just reflecting the environment is because the thermostat is hooked up to a power source. One’s ability to respond, and not just reflect, depends on one’s clear connection to a power source. The quality of one’s response depends on the quality of the power behind it.
Last night, after Clemson defeated Wake Forest, Dabo Swinney commended the team members on their response to the previous week’s defeat. He praised “these young men” for HOW they responded. Dabo is right: It is not important what happens to us in this life; what is important is How we respond to what happens. Those “young men” responded with quality character traits: courage, poise, optimism, strength…because they were clearly connected to a quality power source.
Good power source…good response. Flawed power source…flawed response.
I commend Dabo Swinney, most beloved inspirational speaker, for demonstrating, and guiding those young athletes to their own discovery of, the best source of power there is.
Today's Teachable Moment 