Sanity: Says Who?

Sanity. Such a subjective, yet fleeting term. How is it truly defined? Appreciated or determined? The summer solstice, according to ancient pagan thought, should be honored, as it reminds us just how precious each day and season is, because the truth of its passing away is also acknowledged. To remember to appreciate gifts, not take them for granted. Somehow, on the evening of that time of solstice, it seems appropriate to look more closely at that which is supposedly important ... like sanity. Sanity is technically defined as: common sense, reasonableness & predictability; the condition of being mentally healthy and able to make rational decisions. The question then becomes, who gets to determine what is mentally healthy, rational &/or reasonable? You? Me? The government? Society in general? Can anyone really define that which is sane thought? Other than the basic adherence to general life laws like not killing or stealing or harming others, how can it truly be said what is sane thought or actions for others? To a staid corporate-type person, the urge to dance and sing at will, to create poetry through movement when inspired by a sight or situation may seem not sane. To an extrovert, the thought of being happy sitting alone reading a book while others frolic just beyond the doorway may seem not sane. To those who are deeply religious, the thought process of those whom are simply spiritual but don't really follow a particular God (or Goddess) may not seem sane at all. Really, though, isn't all of this simply a case of free-choice? Of freedom of spirit? Personally, I find the concept of sanity quite subjective. Seriously, in a world, a cosmos, so great & far-reaching that portions are yet to be discovered or understood, who are any of us to judge what thoughts or general actions may seem "sane" or "reasonable" or "rational" to others? In that same vein, to judge ourselves sane or not, can be rather subjective as well. I feel a little overwhelmed nuts if there's too much chaos surrounding me all at once, and taking an evening or so of downtime alone or doing something that harnesses my creative side like painting or dancing or writing tends to make me feel calmer, happier. Is that the difference between my being not sane and then sane again? Do life circumstances affect our views of sanity? There are infinite ways the question can be phrased or even viewed. Some things, I suppose, are not only not for us to judge, but also not for us to ever truly know ... even in ourselves. ~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress