Common sense. The thread
The common sense of it all
and how it works nearly every time it is used.
Now you might ask, what does common sense have to do with inventions, your home, your transportation, and all of the other material and non - material things in our lives?
Let"s just say that without common sense most of what we know and everything as we know it, would be negatively altered. Situations that do not work well are many times the result of faulty thinking. Things that are not well thought out, where common sense is not used, are places of failure!
We see examples over and over again where backward or wayward philosophies lead countries and their peoples to the darkest of times. Historically, we see oppressive political regimes who go against the will of their citizens and of Natural Law, and the ultimate result is always negative.
Let us look at some examples of the absence of common sense:
•Global warming theory. The planet has been here for 10 zillion years and has, in its recent past remained quite stable. The sun comes up each day, there is light and dark, winter and summer and basically everything seems to be rocking along in a normal fashion. Now “common sense” would tell us, based on these historic facts, that everything is cool and we need not panic. Tomorrow and the tomorrows after will most likely be a copy of our immediate past.
So, don"t let the people who practice this doomsday religion, ruin your Sunday afternoon picnic. Just remember these are some of the same people, who not too many years ago were predicting an upcoming ice age.
•Airport security. You are waiting in line to fly to grandma"s house and in this line are average looking people, children, some old folks and a man who is young, seemingly suspicious, dark eyes, seems nervous, and honestly not someone you would invite home to dinner. The inspection moves along and with the exception of a grandmotherly type lady who is being padded down, everyone else including the suspicious looking man is boarding the plane. Duh! Common sense is out to lunch!
•Education. In early America, children were educated in a small building, sometimes only one room and within walking distance of where they lived with a mom and a dad. This system worked rather well and it was cheap.
Today"s massive government education factories are “common sense challenged!”
A far removed bureaucrat, most likely from the Federal Department of Education, selects the subjects taught, the teaching methods and all under the guise of political correctness.
Add to this mix, complacent and below average teaching staffs and the hammer of unions and we have a prescription for failure.
Government schools are teaching less and costing more. In Washington D.C. the total cost per student is nearly $25,000. How did we get into this predicament? How do we get out? The most saddening human dimension is the generations of mediocrity that we have produced.
•Our power sources. Oil, coal and gas have given this country a quality of life unprecedented in history. There are, however, environmental and political groups that seem hell bent on the destruction of these industries and our economy. They would prefer buying energy from our enemies. This makes no sense!
Hydroelectric dams have provided fresh water to arid sections of our country and have given us inexpensive electricity. This is a real success story, however, its present and future use is threatened by environmental “whack jobs.” Nuclear power can be safe, inexpensive and clean. This wonderful power source has been curtailed since the 1950"s.
This is fool hardy! While other countries are building nuclear power plants, we sit on our thumbs.
•The anti-American crowd. It does not make sense to talk down our country, to question our goodness, to repress, to speak unkindly, to bring hate, to rewrite history, or to go against the Natural Laws.
There are powerful people in our country right now who seem intent on the destruction of America. In another time, these people would be considered traitors to our country. Wake up America!!!!!!
Common sense and your window
The study of “common sense” on the surface is normally thought of as, “ in the everyday stuff.” Do we do this or do we do that? Do we go this way or that way?
But, looking further in depth, we find that the study and use of “common sense,” can be experienced on all levels of life. We can experience the practice and the results in our careers, our thoughts, our ideas, our work and our relationships. From the trivial to the most worthy of choices, it is the ramifications of your decision that will matter most.
There exists a period of time (a window ) that allows us to freely choose. Whether it be for good, or for bad, for fun, for exploration, for invention, or for any reason, or for no reason, it remains a choice. This period of time (the window) is rather unknown, but waiting may not always be an option.
Let"s look at some examples:
•You have something that is leading you to travel. You are mid - life and of good health, with no barriers to your trip. There is, however, a family history of cancer and most have died in their 60"s. Your “window” of opportunity, therefore, might be only 10 or 20 years at best. So if traveling is your thing, you might want to get a move on.
•You might be in high school and looking forward to higher education. You are driven to be the best chemist in the world. Money, however, is a problem so perhaps you will work a couple years and then go on to college. Remember the “window” may be now.
Learning or the ability to grasp may be lost with time. The dream may not wait.
•You are a good swimmer. It is not out of the question that you may make the Olympics next year, but you also have some other issues that are a priority. Your “window” is very small. Statistically, competitive swimmers are history by their mid 20"s. Gymnasts are the same. The “window” of opportunity is small.
•The thought of being in the military has always been your dream. You are graduating from high school and are entering college in the fall. Your “window” is now or certainly in 4 years. Choose to follow your dreams or not. It is your decision to make.
These “windows” of opportunity are normal periods in your life where you need to get from point “a” to point “b” with time constraints and perhaps some other problems thrown in. They might include marriage, children, sickness, a family loss or a death.
No one said life was going to be easy, but making a decision to follow a dream, builds character and strengthens resolve. What of the guy or gal who has no big plans and just wants to lead their own life? For them, also, life is also short and time is fleeting. Go after your dream no matter how small.
So the known and the unknowns give us a picture of the time that may be available for your use. Depending on the passion of your particular quest, considering reality and using common sense as your guide, make a decision and move on!
There is one last variable and that is, time itself. Did you know that one minute is different to all of us? Well, to, be precise, one minute is 60 seconds. No more and no less.
But let"s think about one minute as a child waiting for his birthday surprise versus one minute as an old man in a wheelchair. With that in mind, does this alter your “window”
of opportunity?
Whatever your dreams or aspirations, think about your “window” of time and how big the opportunity is for you. The most important step is usually the first one. You will not get there without taking that first step.
Some feel good uses of common sense
• Smile at someone for no reason. Good things will happen.
• For one who is down, say something nice to lift them up.
• Each day go out of your way to make someone happy.
• Being courteous is a feel good thing.
• Silence is golden. Galantry is not dead.
• Surround yourself with goodness.
• Avoid loud agressive persons.
• Be forever humble. Speak truth quietly and clearly, but with firmness.
• Tomorrow is a new day, a new season. React kindly and with a smile.
• Listen to others. Your own voice clouds out the learning.
• Two wrongs don"t make a right. Do the right thing and with no regrets.
• Make friends not enemies. Keep friends not enemies.
• Think about what Jesus would do?
• Go slow when others are going fast.
• Rejoice and others will rejoice with you.
• Be happy with what you have. Give of yourself what you can.
• Do things that make your mom and dad happy.
• Do not compare yourself with others,ever.
• Know your limits, but strive to be better and do more.
• Always have your dreams. Make yourself of value.
• Give moms and dads lots of space. You only get one set.
• Smiling is contagious. Spread it around so everyone gets it.
• Have a greater purpose other than yourself.
• Money can be an evil. Fall in love with something else.
• Life is uncertain. Make sure your impact is worthy.
• Do not let hate take you down it"s path.
• Look at a newborn baby and see a miracle.
• Education without common sense doesn"t make sense.
• Level the field with common sense.
• Having a positive attitude is a choice. Life is a choice.
• Make your life at the end that you don"t regret a thing.
• Know that wisdom and good judgment are learned.
• We know what evil looks like and we can avoid it.
• Believe in goodness and follow it"s path.
• Easy to evil is not so easy.
• Know that we all fall, but not everyone gets up.
Common sense in three easy steps.
Can it be learned?
The answer to the question, can common sense be learned may be both yes and no. There is no question that if common sense were taught to young children, they indeed would be capable of making good and wise decisions during their lifetimes. Teaching common sense to adults with a semblance of maturity and balance would also have some success.
However, too many adults carry the baggage of “know it all arrogance” that blocks out the learning process. Unlike the years before adulthood, we sometimes form opinions that are set in stone and may not allow any deviation. This may lead to a history of poor decision making and the ability to achieve natural understanding. Factually, there are those who could never learn common sense. You could say, they don"t have the common sense to use common sense.
If asked, people who display common sense, may tell you that life is easier for them because they are capable of making good judgments. After all, they are using history to help them make good decisions. For example, one might say that college graduates and people with special training, are generally more successful and will do well financially.
Facts substantiate this.
It may then be wise for me as a parent to encourage my children in that direction.
However, if you disagree with this example, you are free to go in another direction.
Common sense may not be your cup of tea. Maybe you"ll get lucky!
Are we born with common sense? Is it in our genes? Do we pick up this trait at home or from a favorite uncle? We certainly don"t learn it at school. Have we ever studied this phenomenon to find the answers? Is it a case of status, wealth, heredity, education, or origin? What percentage of the population has common sense? Do some countries have a greater number of people with good judgment? Are these numbers increasing or decreasing?
If I had the power, I would will to everyone in this world a very contagious common sense bug to bite them. Because if everyone had, and used good and wise judgment, our world would be a wonderful place. For now, however, it seems that I have more questions than answers. Back to the drawing board. This is all giving me such a headache!
Common sense and our failures
Enough cannot be said of the value of common sense.
It is a natural understanding using logic and rightful thought, followed by good and wise decisions!
There are the simplest things in life that we stumble and fumble around with. The everyday stuff that we botch up. One of mine was going to work this morning, I made a stupid decision by going through a yellow light. I wasn"t in a hurry. The dreaded red lights started flashing behind me.We choose many times the quick way or the easy way or, my favorite, I"m doing it just like everyone else. The fact is, the other person probably also did it wrong.
Mankind is so amazing. You would think that with our marvelous brain power and the fact that we have advanced so far from our caveman days that we would always approach any subject and take a proven, logical and successful path. Well, not so much!
Historically, we don"t seem to operate that way. We will instead choose another path and sometimes this path will lead us to dark places. Why must this be?
Some simple everyday problems to prove the point.
“Your mom and dad tell you not to hang out with that guy or gal.” Naturally, with your great wisdom, you do what they told you not to do!
Success probability on a scale of 1 to 10, is about a 3
“You are going to marry this person who is great in bed and you can find out about all the other stuff later.” Success probability is near zero.
“In this new job, your boss is a tyrant, but the pay is pretty good.” Success probability is between 2 and 4.
“All of your friends are into drugs,” but you have strong will power.” Success probability is 1-3.
“ Everyone in your family is an alcoholic. You are young and hang with friends at the bar, but figure you can stop anytime you want.” Success probability is zero.
“ You are being raised by a single mom.” Beating the odds without scars. Success probability is 2-4.
Wrong choices! Bad endings! What the hell are we doing with our lives?
The everyday problems.
Actions, reactions and the ramifications.
• Late night date. Your young daughter and unknown suitor. You say she"s a big girl. She knows how to handle herself. Flip a coin for the answer.
• Your son wants everything. I tell him to get a job. He says under his breath, #!<#••.
• You spend more money than you make. I"ll get another credit card.????????????
• The teachers" union demands more money. Raise property taxes. This usually works.
• Local businesses are moving to Mexico. Help immigrants start new businesses here.
That might work.
• Some schools are giving better grades to students who agree with their positions. My son thinks I should butt out. That is certainly the easy way.
• Most of our fuel is imported and expensive. Accept it, or.............Drill baby drill!
• U.S. car prices are higher than imports. Give more power to unions and add more government regulations. That will solve the problem. Or not!
• Oil and coal companies have a record-breaking year. Raise their taxes. Common sense out to lunch.
• Crime is on the rise. Reinstate death sentences and get tough on crime. A new angle that might work.
• Public housing units are routinely vandalized. Congress asks for more money to build new ones. Fails every time.
• The school bully beats you up everyday outside the back door. Tomorrow I"m going out the front door.
How we handle problems will have ramifications that may be positive or negative.
Answering the example actions above with an opposite reaction may be seen as confrontational. On the other hand, answering the example actions with agreement will be seen as weak.
Common sense was used as solutions in a few examples and they will have a better chance of success. Many of the actions seem to show an upside down world. Common sense seems to be out to lunch. Read “1984” by George Orwell, where he envisioned a world upside down, void of civility and privacy and controlled by big brother.
The funny side of good sense. Or not!
• Life is like playing poker. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. If you learn the game well, continue to practice and use good judgment, winning will happen more often.
• Politically Correct ( pc ). This is a way to separate out the good guys from the bad guys.
Being on the ( pc ) side may be easier, but you must leave your brain and your soul outside the door.
• Dividing people by their language and behavior was early used by China"s Mao, in the “
Little red book.” That worked real well!!!!!!!!
• Go along to get along. “They know what they are doing and
if it feels good, do it.” Words of the followers" parade.
• Phrases or words of the envious. “The working poor,”
“the other side is just hate,” “the working class,” Jew, Nigger, etc.
• Freedom of speech is good only when it matches your beliefs. The partisan side is the other side! Really?
• Definition of optimism. I figure the bully has a compassionate side and will have pity on me. ---- Maybe next time!
• 2nd definition of optimism. If we give them things, they will love us and leave us alone.
• If a person looks away and lies to you, it might be ok, but,
if they look into your eyes and lie to you, they are definitely a politician!
• Government can be a necessary evil at best,
or pure evil at worst.
• Being a Christian can be difficult because you have to follow a bunch of rules. Being a non-Christian is difficult because you have to follow a bunch of rules.
• Knowing right from wrong is not the problem ; it"s choosing wrong when you know it"s wrong.
The abc"s of learning common sense.
For the people who understand and practice common sense, much of this discussion is kindergarten, like preaching to the choir. On the other hand, there are millions of people who remain clueless. There are times when true believers to their ideology lack an understanding of truth and history. They practice ideals before practical considerations.
The worldly use of common sense or enlightenment seems to come in phases, periods of time in our history when the clouds move aside and the sun shines in. This happened most notably in Europe prior to the 14th century when the Dark Ages were replaced with the Renaissance or period of enlightenment. We don"t know if at that time in history, suddenly there were masses of people learning good judgment, or that there were masses of people with common sense that were suddenly noticed and listened to.
Is America"s direction leading us to a period of enlightenment or are we moving to a darker side? The use of common sense, or lack of use, will play a role!
This somehow reminds me of the old story: “ Man is on a street corner in search of a watch that he had lost. A second man approaches him and begins to help him look. After several minutes, the second man asks exactly where did he loose his watch? The first man stated that he lost it on the other side of the street. The second man then asked why he was then, looking over here on this side of the street. The first man said, the light is better over here.”
This story illustrates an absence of common sense. It is silly, but here are some others, just as silly:
• Our country is in great debt so our leaders recommend that we spend more.
• The vast majority of our country believes our national direction is wrong so our leaders hold the present course.
• History shows that a particular philosophy is a failed policy, but our leaders move in that direction.
• The voices of wise and successful men and women are scorned and ridiculed.
• A president surrounds himself with people of questionable character and explains how good will come from that.
Parables that show good judgment
• The old saying, “ Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see,” means be cautious of the world around you.
• Read, learn and listen. Take in everything, but do not take everything as fact.
• Especially listen to the wise. They are the greatest teachers.
• People with common sense always ask questions and look for truth.
• Learn to listen from the inside out. Watch a person"s gesture"s, their movements, their eyes. This may tell more than what they say from their lips.
• Keep track of the results of your decisions. Wise and well thought out decisions will increase your desired results.
• Everyone makes mistakes. People with common sense learn from their mistakes.
• In personal decisions, know the people around you. “Mr. Creepy” is trying to sell you something. Move on, quickly!
• In your work, offer up more than is asked of you. This builds character.
• Always be a little early to meetings. Never be late.
• Have an open, but filtering mind.
• Know good from bad, right from wrong.
• Learn from history. If something has always failed over the years, chances are it will fail again.
• Watch others who use common sense. Learn from them. In fact tell them you want to learn from them.
• In marriage, as well as in life, give more than you get.
• With friends, learn about them and with honesty and consistency, give them positive feedback. Give them your trust; give them respect and allow them to do the same.
• Be aware that government is always on the move to becoming larger and more powerful.
• Learn to avoid negative situations, bad people and bad environments, Listen to your inner self.
• Common sense people stand out. Look for happiness and laughter, look for assuredness.
Look at those who follow.
• Think of balance. People with balance try to avoid great ups or downs. They recognize the dangers within.
• Learning common sense is not unlike going to college. Learn, listen, practice and do.
You are building on common experience.
• If you believe in God, you may ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”
• If you don"t believe in God, you may ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”
Common sense and our world
As I discussed before, common sense seems to come in phases in our world and especially after long dark periods of insanity. The most epic period in history being the Dark Ages of Europe, from 476 to 1000 a.d. During that time, all thought and innovation and invention were absent, but as history proves, there was a new dawning.
America, from day one has been a bright spot in history. The history books are full of success stories and happy successful people. Kudos to the American heroes of our past, present and future. They are the thinkers, the engineers, scientists, biologists, chemists, physicists and everyday dreamers, who continue to give the fruits of their knowledge and experience.
They change our world for the better and they have opened the doors to the light! They are fulfilling the promises made by God. It is these thinkers and innovators who will lead mankind to the fulfillment that is the future.
Good leaders are often optimistic cheerleaders. President Ronald Reagan was such a man.
He was a great leader who fully believed in America and the strength of its people. He told the leaders of the Soviet Union to remove the wall between East and West Germany.
The wall came down and the cold war was over - common sense and true grit from that leader on the scene. This, in turn, awakened millions of people to be more positive. We had a refreshed, “can do” attitude. We suddenly felt better about ourselves, our country and our world. This can and will happen again. Ain"t life great!
We can not overstate the power of great leaders using common sense and doing the right thing. Our world benefits from the results of their actions.
Things that are perfect.
No need for change thank you.
• We don"t need to reinvent air. It"s perfect as it is.
• Rain is also perfect. Don"t fool with our sun either.
• God most certainly gave us corn on the cob.
• His second best gift was sweet tea with tons of ice.
• I like my car. It is my feel good comfort zone.
• Lying on a hammock under a shade tree is nearly heaven.
• Lying in the grass or on a feather bed is also up there.
• Good sex. Bad sex is a close second.
• A ride in the country with the top down.
• Being with old friends. Don"t mess with my friends.
• Quit fooling with newspapers. The news and my coffee.
• Conception. God will get pissed if you fool with the babies.
• Books. Like em just fine.
• Free enterprise and capitalism. Don"t fix what ain"t broke.
Don"t screw with our heads, we"ll figure it out on our own.
• Radio and tv. Not the greatest inventions, but now that we have them, hands off.
• I like my remote control and other creature comforts.
• My home, my state and my country. Big government stay the hell out.
• Football and baseball are perfect as they are. Covered stadiums and lighted ball diamonds take away the romance.
• Love. Maybe the greatest thing God gave us. The old saying, love makes the world go around is surely true.
Pizza is perfect
Yes, I repeat, pizza is perfect, so don"t mess with our pizzas! Most people have a lifetime yearning for their favorite eats which would include a steak, lobster, pasta, shrimp, or even a great hot dog. Chicago dogs come to mind. How about the Philly cheese steak?
For me it"s a pizza. I invented pizza. After the football game, we had pizza. When we were working on the car, we"re stuffin a pizza. On a date, we have a pizza. Lord, when I die, I want a cheese and pepperoni.
Beer is not the same without pizza. There have been times when I had pizza every day and I still never got tired of it.
I remember driving back from the west coast and I"m actually salivating, thinking of pizza. I must also add, that the same thing happened thinking about southern barbeque and sweet tea, but, hey! that"s just me.
I remember the first pizza pie that I ever had. I remember the occasions and the friends and a large supreme. I remember bad pizzas that were heavy or hard or soggy or cold. I don"t personally like Chicago pizza, but some people would die for them. New York pizza is a turnoff. Reminds me of eating a tire. Heavy, heavy, but hey! Millions of people love em. Everybody to their own. I don"t see how anybody eats a pie with anchovies.
I was in the Navy and enjoying some shore duty in Italy and I"m saying wow! Italian pizza. This is where it is. So I go to this place and order a pizza. They bring out this cooked dough with tomato sauce on top. It was awful. So much for my dream come true.
No, America is pizza land!
My favorite pizza place, hands down is in my hometown. Every 5 years our high school class meets there to celebrate and salivate.They opened back in the 50"s and it remains consistantly the same. The dough is very thin, with corn meal rubbed on the bottom to keep it from burning. They use a very hot oven, lots of cheese, and pepperoni hand placed end to end so that it is completely covered. Man, I"m telling you, this is heaven on earth. It just doesn"t get any better than this.
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