What Would Common Sense Do? - 05/17/2011

Entry by Heather Askinosie

Several years ago I used to have monthly chats with a wise woman named Taylor Cash.  I met her through a Kahuna I was training with in Hawaii.  On any given day Taylor and I would cover a variety of topics ranging from spirituality and family to world events and how to solve them if we could.  It always amazed me how she was always grounded and calm when at times life seemed full of chaos and struggle.  So one day I asked her, “How do you stay balanced?”  She shared with me three simple truths: “Keep it simple, Life is full of Ebbs and Flows and ALWAYS use good old common sense”.  If you practice these three things, you will always be fine.  Could it really be that simple?  Over time I found these truths to be very valuable.  When I keep things simple life has a lot more flow and a lot less ebb.  I found that when I applied common sense to problems or questions I wanted answered, the solutions seemed to be simple.  I started to always ask myself, “What would common sense do?”  I felt free, liberated and in the universal flow of life.  Some days I got off track and after some time I threw common sense out the door. 

Recently on a trip to Santa Fe with my brother, Shawn and sister in law, Caron, (who by the way make the best chocolate ever!! Check it out at www.askinosiechocolate.com ) I was reminded of Taylor and her wisdom.  Caron looked at life in a similar way.  One day I asked her if she had any truths that she lived by.  She said, “Yes. Keep it simple, be aware of your limitations, limit your stupid tax (LOVE this one) and use common sense”.  She added that when she gives herself time to think things through and be patient with herself, she is able to forecast the consequences of her decisions.  Shawn said that her title at the chocolate factory is Director of Common Sense.  This way of looking at life has saved her time, money and endless hours of spinning her wheels.

Is common sense a forgotten secret?  Is it so obvious that it’s being overlooked?  I realized that two very smart women who I respect that have never met before shared similarities.  They own themselves, listen and practice the art form of common sense. I have found out recently that when I get stuck in old patterns or am at a loss on how to move forward, I ask the question, “What would common sense do?”.  With time and space, good old common sense always leads me in the right direction.