You don't have to be a rocket scientist unless you work at NASA*

Often when I am reading the news or watching talk shows, I wonder if everyone (okay, nearly everyone) has completely lost their minds, or their ability to use some basic common sense.

To explain what I'm talking about, I have provided 11 examples (in no particular order) of simple things that everyone should know, or should be obvious, but too often aren't. (Feel free to add your own examples in the Comments.)

You don't have to be a scientist to read a thermometer, or observe that the weather has become more erratic and extreme.

You don't have to be an economist or an accountant to balance your checkbook. You just have to know how to add and subtract.

Being able to see Russia from your window doesn't make you an expert on foreign policy, just like being able to see the moon from your window doesn't make you an astronaut.

You don't have to be a brain surgeon, unless you want to operate on people's brains. Nor do you have to be a rocket scientist, unless you want to work for NASA or SpaceX*.

If you feel you have no time to do anything, because you've volunteered for too many activities, volunteer less.

If you eat too much, you will gain weight. If you want to lose weight, eat less. Stop with the crazy diets.

Happiness doesn't come in a pill**, or a bottle.

You can't be too rich, but you can be too thin.

If you don't want to get sick, or want to get sick less often, wash your hands before you eat -- as well as before and after meal preparation and after you've used a toilet.

If you don't want others to get sick, cough or sneeze into your elbow or bicep, not into your hand. That's how you spread germs.

Don't text while driving. Nothing, and no one, is that important.

*And even at NASA, and SpaceX, not everyone is a rocket scientist.
** Or maybe I was given the wrong prescription.