Uncommon Common Sense: Whatever Happened to Plain Old Horse Sense?

By Velva Jean Hampton

COMMON SENSE seems to be a lost concept in today's world. It is my hope that this book Uncommon Common Sense will help everyday hardworking people realize the importance of applying this principle in their lives and know the most important aspect for all of us is to be true to ourselves. We can enjoy life and still use common sense. Without fear

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Dec 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649906168

Book preview

PREFACE

The word uncommon has several meanings or synonyms. Exceptional, extraordinary, unique, remarkable, rare, and scarce are some of these. The more unique something is, the more value is placed on it; therefore, common sense is a rare quality to possess.

Why write a book? I believe I have something beneficial to share with others. Life experience has taught me many valuable lessons that have proven true and useful. It is not what happens to us that is most important, but how we handle what happens in our lives. The feelings of isolation and despair in difficult times can be minimized and put into perspective when we assess them by learning about similar experiences from others. I don’t have all the answers; I continue to learn daily. Life is a classroom of useful information. It is our choice to assimilate this wealth of knowledge or skip class and never graduate. A diploma from the school of hard knocks and life experience will be one of the most valuable degrees one can earn.

My goal in this endeavor is for the reader to achieve a new perception and appreciation for common sense in every area of life. As my granny said, Whatever happened to plain old horse sense? We have the opportunity to allow a revival of common sense to prevail in us as individuals and hopefully spread throughout humanity. My desire is to witness common sense becoming the norm once again, not an anomaly.

Yours for Common Sense,

Velva Jean Hampton

INTRODUCTION

Whatever happened to plain old horse sense? This was a rhetorical question asked by my maternal grandmother, Sarah Virginia Patrick Hartsock, innumerable times throughout her life of eighty-five years. I was privileged to have her in my life for thirty-two years. The blessing of being able to not only hear those words from time to time but understand just what they meant is something I cherish. Through the years, I have shared this phrase with family, friends, acquaintances, and others whenever the need has arisen.

Decades of time have passed, and much has changed, but the question remains apropos. The implication of whatever happened to is that something has been lost, misplaced, or forgotten. When Granny asked that question, I knew she was probably frustrated or perturbed about something or someone.

Just what is horse sense? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as common sense. Common sense is defined as sense or practical judgment. Practical is dealing realistically and sensibly with everyday matters. This is a fairly simple, easy concept so why, in our age of advanced technology and brilliant, educated minds, does this seem so elusive and scarce?

Decisions we make are divided into two categories: good and bad. The illustration of a car battery with negative and positive posts makes sense when looking