It’s easy to see that there is an intelligence behind life. 
We’re powered by something larger than ourselves. We all call it different names and think of it in unique ways, but nearly everyone of any background, culture, or religion (or lack of religion) tends to agree on some beyond-human force that inexplicably grows trees, spins planets, and turns embryos into chubby babies.
It makes sense that something so powerful and mysterious—something given such lofty labels as “universal energy”, “life force”, “wisdom”, and “God”—would be unbelievably glorified. We don’t feel worthy of it, although it’s as present to us as air.
Because it is so magnificent, we expect it to always look and feel magnificent. “If intuition (inner wisdom, something bigger…) were working through me”, we say, “I’d know it.”
It seems like it would be a life-changing, lightning-bolt-from-the-sky type of experience. And very occasionally it is. But more often than not, wisdom informs us in completely simple and ordinary ways that we may not even take note of.
It often feels like something closer to common sense than a miracle (the way miracles are portrayed, anyway). So much so that I’m beginning to wonder whether common sense isn’t the primary vehicle by which that universal, inner wisdom shows up.
Think about it: common sense is simply a thought that occurs to you from out of nowhere. You don’t think about it or actively generate it in any way, it simply shows up.
Common sense is also…common. It is simple and obvious. Too simple to be profound, we tell ourselves. So obvious to us that we can’t believe everyone doesn’t see it, even though they clearly don’t.
Common sense is your own feeling. It’s not “common” in the sense that other people agree; it is “common” in the sense that it feels completely ordinary and obvious to you.
So what if your common sense was actually a personalized, tailor-made version of wisdom working through you?
Maybe “being guided by wisdom” is pretty much the same thing as following your own common sense.
When everyone you know tells you to look for a job where your training lies but a different field feels more right to you, maybe that sense you have is your personalized, up-to-the-moment wisdom?
Others don’t see it but they don’t have to. It’s your guide, not theirs.
When a dozen professionals and a hundred popular psychology books tell you to talk it out with your partner but retreating for a while seems to make more sense, maybe you’re being personally guided to retreat?
Not because retreating rather than talking is always the answer. But because it is the answer for you in that very moment.
When traditional “wisdom” says to see a doctor, take a nap, go for a run, or take vitamins but your own inner wisdom, experienced as common sense, tells you otherwise, maybe you’re being given a specialized road map?
Maybe that road map is only meant for you in that very second, so of course others won’t agree with what it says.
Could it really be that simple?
What does your common sense tell you?
