The pleasure of thinking

I was intrigued by John Maxwell's comment that "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the leader adjusts the sails." Nice statement of three approaches to life. However, one of the pitfalls of having spent one’s life in higher education, and the research that is a vital component in the profession, is the compulsion to “criticize” (or “think about”) everything you hear, read, or experience. You keep asking, Why? Or, How could that be, since some perspective or relevant fact may have been omitted? They say that the basic goal for research in higher education is to learn more and more about less and less until you know everything about nothing. 
       My dad was a college chemistry professor who loved teaching so much that there was no time to write learned articles in prestigious journals. He left exploration to others who were compelled in that direction while he was at home and happy in the fun process of not simply telling stuff to students but of helping them enjoy the stuff they were learning. One of his favorite “demonstrations” was a large tin can, in which he would drill a number of holes in the bottom plus one in the lid. Then he fill the big can with gas from the bunsen burner, light it, and walk away casually making the point that gas explodes only when it has the proper mixture with air. Meantime the air kept coming in the bottom holes and then when the air/gas mixture was right, it would happen. The gas would explode with a bang and blow the lid to the ceiling, shocking the students half to death. They never would forget the point that dad wanted them to learn.
       After a long introduction, here is the point: When I read Maxwell’s quote I reacted  positively and said thanks. But then I began to wonder whether it really made its point and what, if any, were some implications for life. We understand the reactions of both pessimist and optimist, but how does the leader fit into the scenario? He adjusts the sails. Hmmmmm, Why does he do that? Well, it’s different from the other two. You can complain like the pessimist, trust the wind will change like the optimist . . . and what does the leader do? He doesn’t complain about the wind, or merely trust that it will be gone before long. “There must be a better say,” as they say on Shark Tank. And the better way is to accept conditions as they are, not simply hope they will change, and do something that will help you accomplish your goal. 
       There’s a lesson here. It could be stated as “Don’t dream, don’t deplore, just do it.” Now that we have the underlying principle we can see how it relates to a multitude of specific situations. My attempt is not quite as euphonic as the original, but it’s straight to the point and that may be hepful. And so goes the investigative mind of teacher/thinker. But don’t let his inquisitive approach to life keep you from getting up and doing it!