Inspiration of CommonSensei: 

The Blunder Years 🤦️

If I only knew then, what I know now…

Oh how I vividly remember my father shaking his head, muttering variations of those very words.  Although he’s widely accomplished, he spoke with a sincere revelation that only the school of hard knocks can reveal.  That expression echoes the walls of self-admitted adults around the world: some may be in debt, others in legal trouble, many experiencing poor health and all wishing for a make believe “do over”😔. It’s a timeworn admission of guilt, that quite frankly we didn’t “know it all” during our “blunder years” (ages 16-24 give or take).  That “woulda-coulda-shoulda” phrase resonates with individuals of all walks of life from the über successful to chronically depressed, from moms and dads to single folks.  Be it doctors or critically ill, teachers or students, construction workers or architects, police officers or criminals (you get the idea); all have fallen prey to inexperience. No matter your social status or occupation, one thing is certain, everyone fantasizes of being able to go back in time equipped with the “knowledge” they have now.

Kickin’ Flicks🎬:  No Oscar winners in this group, but here’s a fun list of famous flicks about going back in time. Choose one movie to get in the mood.  Editor’s choice:  Back to the Future is 1.21 gigawatts of fun.

Sensei Says🥋: “Watt” is a measure of power🔌.  There are 1 billion watts in 1 GW. The Watt was actually named after Scottish inventor James Watt who also coined “horsepower,” valuable info if you’re ever on Jeopardy!

Blunder Years Kickin’ Flicks

• The Terminator (1984)
• Back to the Future (1985)
• Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
• Groundhog Day (1993)
• 13 Going on 30 (2004)
• 17 Again (2009)
• Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
• Looper (2012)

Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power,” but I’d beg to differ.  I strongly believe knowledge is merely potential power🤔.  The real super power is common sense, and with enough of it you might just be the next Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerburg, Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Maya Angelou, Thomas Edison, or Steve Jobs (just off the top of my head). Each brilliant in their own way, but none of them even boast a college degree. Their genius lies in the intangibles; they are purveyors of instinct and action.  Book smarts may boost your IQ score, but without practical application in the real world, it’s rather trivial.  While ignorance may be bliss, I say street smarts are divine. Wisdom is an absolutely priceless commodity that can’t be bought; it’s built through taking risks and surviving. Mastering shrewdness and common sense are arts in and of themselves, and luckily I’m here to serve as your CommonSensei. While I didn’t score 2400 on the SAT, I’ve since graduated at the top of my class in gut instinct, adaptability, and confidence.  So let’s get inside my head and explore the method to my madness🤪. 

-Bill Viola Jr. 

CommonSensei