We were in the coffee shop discussing a self-development book we had both read sometime over the last few years.
“It’s all about cause and effect,” she said. “Yes, not exactly rocket science, right?” I replied.
“It’s common sense really isn’t it,” she said. “Exactly, just common sense, so why does everyone make such a big fuss of the book?,” I asked. “Well, people don’t really get it do they?” She added. “So why is it called common sense,” I asked, “it doesn’t seem to be very common.” “Your right,” she said, “not common at all actually. So, how did you learn cause and effect, your common sense” she asked.
“At home”, I said, “at home during my childhood, from my mother and father”
We began talking about values and practices, raising kids and ethical work issues; all mixed up of course!
You were very lucky, she said, very fortunate that your parents taught you all that stuff.
And she’s right. My parents were always very sensible and they taught us common sense. Then they let us go and make major mistakes, again and again…just standing by to pick up the pieces.
Today is my mother’s 75th birthday, I’m so grateful that she taught me common sense.
It is such a crucial business skill. Don’t rely just on statistics and trends. Don’t trust anyone who tells you they understand your business (at least until you check them out). Use your common sense and if you don’t have any, find someone who does and ask them to teach you!
So, thanks Mum for teaching me common sense. It has helped me understand cause and effect – when I lose balance, my health and happiness suffer, when I eat unhealthy foods, I feel terribly, when I am grateful, I have all the more to be grateful for.
Thanks Mum for helping me believe that anything is possible.
Thanks for teaching me to value family and relationships above all.
Thanks Mum for telling me your stories.
Do you have common sense?
Who taught it to you?
