Too much information, too many tasks

“Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.”
Gertrude Stein

It’s true. We’re overwhelmed daily. From remembering a multitude of passwords to the errands and tasks that fill up our working and home lives, we juggle thoughts like so many plates that sometimes fall to the ground.

I have a dear friend who uses his shower time as ‘thinking time’. Another plots on her daily train ride. I read murder mysteries and marvel at the insights into human nature to help me navigate elsewhere (not all characters are murderers).

But either we’re so busy Doing - or busier Thinking - that the ability to instinctively, easily walk through a task can be lost. We talk AT each other. We distrust the simple. We don’t have time to listen to our inner voice, our common sense.

When I’m tired I just follow these guidelines:
• It doesn’t have to be complicated.
• It can wait till later unless a life/livelihood is at stake.
• Listen before responding.
• Don’t jump to a solution.
• Assure the person in front of you that you’re there with them.

And often problems resolve, people stop spinning, and the obvious, sensible solution presents itself.