"Use Your Common Sense" Day

The faculty of our Christian school was sitting in the library around the big table about half an hour before school was to start, having morning worship. The windows of the library looked across the play field toward the junior high wing. As we were listening to the teacher presenting the worship thought, we saw 8th grade Josh run down the sidewalk beside the junior high. As he ran, a firecracker exploded, blowing Josh's orange from his lunch sack to smithereens.

There were, of course, consequences. After all, explosives were not allowed on campus. What was Josh thinking, lighting off his firecracker-in-an-orange in full sight of the faculty?

Today is "Use Your Common Sense Day."  I don't know who declared it thus, but I think it was a good idea to highlight the characteristic.

I wonder why some people just don't seem to possess a modicum of common sense. It's like they live in a different world. Don't they consider the eventualities of reaching for an item on a high shelf by standing on a rolling chair with a seat that rotates? Can't they visualize what will happen as the effect of spending more than they make? Does it not bother them to hike a rocky trail in high heels (as I have seen some do in other countries which shall remain nameless)?

Common sense tells a person that "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." It's sort of an inner version of your mother saying, when you allowed peer pressure to get the best of you, "If someone told you to jump off a cliff, would you?"

Common sense tells you to evaluate your surroundings before you act. Tunnel vision allows a person to do far more silly things than if they will take a moment to stand back and employ a panoramic view. Common sense requires a person to let go for a moment of their determination to act, and listen to other sounds and voices.

While curbing one's impulses long enough to think may be simply a deterrent to being ridiculous, it can in some cases mean the difference between disaster and safety. But some people just don't seem to have it. As Will Rogers commented, "Common sense ain't all that common." That's probably because you can draft a list of guidelines to encourage common sense, but when all is said and done I don't think common sense can be taught. It seems to be learned the hard way, if at all.

That's why manuals for machines and gadgets tend to carry asinine warnings in them. "Don't put this metal thing into a power outlet." "Don't try to blow-dry your hair when you're sitting in the bath tub." "Do not put this plastic bag over your head."

The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch holds a contest each year called the Wacky Warning Label Contest. According to this article, some of the prime contestants have included the following:

"Do not use the Ultradisc2000 as a projectile in a catapult. "

"Caution -- Risk of Fire." (written on fireplace logs)

"Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking"

"Remove child before folding." (on a stroller)

"Never iron clothes while they are being worn." (on a household iron) 

Yep. I'm thinking there's a need for "Use Your Common Sense Day." Have a happy one.