Today Common Sense Has Become Uncommon

Common sense is like a flower that does not bloom in all gardens. It is a hundred times better to have common sense in the absence of education than to have education in the absence of common sense. Sometimes, it is said in a witty sense that common sense is not a gift. Rather, it is a punishment because we have to deal with people who fall short of it.

The notion of common sense is a long-established term based on human experience and people’s discernments. Common sense is when we face a situation or action that loudly says – yes – this is good or bad without bothering what other people will think as their beliefs and attitudes are gained from their unique and different sources of mental condition and upbringing.

It is a state of mind similar to hunch or intuition, wherein it feels appropriate. But, we must be aware that if we proceed only based on feelings or emotions without considering the above-mentioned factors, we might just set ourselves up for depression, frustration, or even failure.

Some people think that with growing age and experience, common sense will develop. However, it is wrong. Some people assume that those who have more education have more common sense. It is wrong. Some people believe that gaining more experience means developing more common sense. Again, it is wrong. Some people even think that the smarter one has more common sense. But, in reality, this is also wrong.

So why do few people today seem to think from a point of view of little or no common sense, whatsoever?

Let us take a look at some of the most common ones:

• Everyone has his mindset or vision regarding the events in life. Some are noble, while others are self-centered or selfish. But this outlook, positive or negative plays a significant role that gets reflected in your behavior, treatment of others, or interpretation of life in general.

• Everyone observes life uniquely through a very personal filter. Something good for one person can be treated as bad for the other person. It is not about what is right, wrong, good, or bad, but how each one of us explains the people and incidents in our life. Our filter would decide our reaction or response to life, people, or circumstances.

• Love and fear control our lives. Fear tends to be the predominant emotion in most people. When we operate anything out of fear, we will manage to critique our options or situations in a pessimistic way.

• Many people who fail to apply common sense are more concerned about how others will think or feel about them.

• The ego rules our lives. When common sense and ego come together, ego wins most of the time.

Hence, if we all had adequate common sense and used that more than what we have now, we will stress less about situations. We will have less frustration, anxiety, or any other negative emotions.

Note: Also read about ethics and values as per Hindu Sanathana Dharma – Samanya Dharma, Apad Dharma, Vishesha Dharma 

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