Common Sense

A wise man once said, if common sense were so common, more people would have it. I have to disagree with this sentiment to some minor degree. I think that most people have basic common sense. I also think that our ability to make decisions using our basic common sense has been thwarted by an innumerable collection of factors.

Jealousy, greed, fear, and a slough of random emotions that keep us constantly second guessing ourselves as to what we should do. For instance have you ever found yourself wanting to buy a new something or other? A new car, boat, guitar, clothes and the list goes on depending upon your own wants, needs and desires.

Sometimes the initial urge to buy that new something or other is almost overpowering. You grab 10 of them off the shelf just because they are on sale. You've never used the product before, but you think you might like it.

Your common sense kicks in and says "You have six similar ones at home still unopened." and you grudgingly put them back on the shelf and walk away. About ten feet down the aisle you find something else and get all excited about that.

Sound familiar? We have all been in that position. It happens to me in music stores, I ooh and awe and touch and feel and fantasize about something until my common sense kicks in. Then I usually go home with the set of guitar strings that I came in for instead of the new guitar I got all excited about.

Common sense is often quieted by a need for instant gratification. I want it now.... I need it now... I have to have it now.... So you buy it even though you don't really know why, then you take it home put on the shelf or in a box or hide it under the sink, and forget about it for about ten years.

There is a common term used often called "buyers remorse". That means someone bought something they thought they had to have, only to get home and decide that they really shouldn't have purchased it. Then they come up with reasons that seem to justify to themselves that they were ripped off, or "Sold" something they really didn't want. When all along, their common sense was telling them that they really didn't need a new computer, or a new guitar, or a new something or other.

We all possess a certain amount of common sense, maybe if we use it once in awhile, our lives would be so much better.