When it comes to how you live within the world are you a thermostat or simply a thermometer? I was asked this question a few years ago and it stuck with me.
A thermometer only reflects the temperature in its own, local
environment, adjusting to the situation. It cannot influence or initiative change, it can only tell you what is happening around it. A thermostat however, initiates action to change the temperature in its environment.
You can choose to sit and just talk about what is happening and what you don’t like in the world, or you can do something about it. You have the ability to make significant change in your environment, whether it be small little changes or big ones. Any change that brings improvement is a good one.
You can also bring change to the world. They say one person can’t make a difference but there are many out there who have. They did it just by starting. Eventually that one person, became two and then three, a dozen, a hundred but there had to be one to start.
Don’t sit on the sidelines of life complaining, take positive healthy action to make a difference. You can volunteer, use your voice to bring awareness, write, whatever you are called to do.
The same goes with your own life. If you are not happy, you have the owner to change your circumstances or perhaps your attitude. Choose to be happy or don’t, the choice is always yours. Life may not be perfect but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to make yourself happy. Happiness is a choice, a state of mind.
Be warned though that you can also make a change for the worse. I’ve seen peaceful protesting for a just cause turned to violent looting and unnecessary violence. I’ve seen all police put down because the actions of a few, all heroic and wonderful actions forgotten in a moment. The message becomes lost when it is brought with violence. A call to end violence can not be one of violence as it says this is what I want but I can be violent if I choose to and that is not okay. Sorry if it sounds preachy but it is true.
Any change brought about that is based in love, compassion and for the greater good of all people is an effort well worth putting in. only you can decide. What can you put on your sign that will make a difference?
You have a clean slate and can decide what change or changes you can initiate. The choice of how you want to live is always yours. My wish for you is simple, when it comes to life don’t be a thermometer, be a thermostat.