THE THREE GIFTS

If you could receive three gifts, what would they be? Riches? A perfect body unaffected by any food consumed? Children squared away and protected? Mosquitoes extinct? We have all probably dreamed of what we would ask for if Aladdin’s lamp came into our possession. How about the ability to fly? To make all politicians tell the truth? Now that would be scary. Along with flying, there are a whole myriad of superpowers that would be pretty cool. If I could have a super power, it would be the power to instill common sense. I would walk through crowds brushing against people, striking them down with common sense, and like the end of the world virus scenarios popular on TV, movies and online gaming, once infected every person they touched would become infected as well (insert diabolical laughter here). Soon the entire world would be infected and there would be nothing that could be done to stop it, common sense would rule!! (More diabolical laughter).

Diabolical laughter aside, if common sense was, well common, consider how the world would be transformed. No one would talk/text/put on makeup/ read the newspaper/ shave or any of the other thousand things people do when driving a metal missile down the road. Politicians and leaders would actually be concerned about those they serve, working for something other than their legacy, their bank account or cushy lobbyist job upon leaving office. I may be naïve, but I have to believe that common sense would resolve conflicts before swords are drawn, that terrorists, once infected would slap their foreheads and say “What was I thinking?” and then do something constructive with their lives. Admit it, wouldn’t you love to be watching TV when some self obsessed personality or politician became infected on air? Professional athletes too ashamed to show their faces because of the salaries they are paid to play games. The sports page replaced with an expanded learning page. No more billionaires, for they have dedicated their resources, talents and abilities to making the world a better place for all. No pollution or litter, for no one with a lick of common sense would poison his or her environment or throw trash on the ground. Kinda gives one pause to wonder doesn’t it.

I know, Common Sense Man does not have the same panache as Wolverine, Daredevil, Superman or Ironman but in the real world, clear thinking is of much greater value than Admantium retractable claws. My other two wishes? Common sense dictates I keep some things to myself. Excelsior!