Saturday, September 21, 2013

Common sense and mental health

Common sense may sound as if it's too common to be in vogue today; the truth is it's most often uncommon today. For proof of that all one has to do is to read the daily newspaper, visit Facebook, Twitter or just walk down the street with your eyes upon the other passersby. (I can't do that since I'm partially blind and I must watch out for the cracks in the sidewalk, which to me is common sense to me.

Last first: Those walking down the street will have some emerging communication demands that can't wait until they arrive at the office, their home, or wherever. Or is it simply the addictive nature of those delightful little smart phones that lead them hither and yon? Yet, where common sense is concerned it is far safer to text or phone while walking than driving. Therefore that age old reasoning behind common sense in itself has conditions. It says do the activity that has the least potential for danger to self or to others.

Newspapers are becoming ever more rare but in spite of their downsizing, they are a habit well worth hanging onto. They are good sources of commons sense and not so common sense, and they alert us to what is going on in our neighborhood. What's more, they fill in where the news commentator leaves off for lack of time. You can't rewind those news broadcasts and get a second look to make sure you heard right; a newspaper is there for multiple reasons. And too, when it's finished being read, it can line bird cages, wipe mirrors and windows as housewives in the past used to do. Actually it's hard to imagine a house without newsprint to hastily throw down on the floor to soak up what spilled over.

Facebook has changed the way people meet and greet. Now news of everyone you ever knew is suddenly important. I wonder what would happen if some of these just sort of dropped by in person, would they be welcomed at your home. Would you drop everything and invite them in, or would you talk to them at the door and wish them a good day and then quickly forget about them since you were too busy tweeting?

Tweeting is good but it has its purpose. But there's one question I often think to ask but don't because I don't want to pop too many bubbles. The question is: Is all this necessary? How much  of what one tweets is ever read. And too, common sense dictates that a great deal of time is wasted and the really important tweets may get lost in the shuffle. Yet, I'm sure much good is being done and its a good way to find out information in a hurry. Common sense says, however, that there should be a good purpose for tweeting.

Personally, I've never found it too useful. At first it was a novelty (When I had better eyesight) and I used to tweet for fun. I pretended I was a bird perched high on a perch and was sending little love notes to those below. Yes, I know, not exactly common sense since I could have been occupied at more useful chores. But I found it delightful. And then too, I could have told others to read my blog, or my Helium articles but that was more like work and I stopped tweeting. Rarely do I now check in but should I have something important to say, I probably would go the effort.

Common sense tells me that each of us has priorities and it also tells me not to be so inward looking, at least not all the time. Get out there and see what your neighbors are doing, visit the sick, lend a helping hand. Life is lived much better when we care for others and when we do what we believe God wants us to do. It also tells us not to be so sensitive to criticism. As an example, we may be poor at drawing, but nonetheless find sketching a delight. It's our choice. But commons sense also tells us not to expect others to think we have created a masterpiece.