MUST-DO things

People do things. A lot. And I don't mean things like eating, walking or smoking. What I mean are the must-do things.

The word itself, must, implies that there is no choice. A must is a must, as it goes.

However, there are two must-do thing types:

1) you must-do certain things, because it's essential for your survival and well-being

2) you must-do things that people think (as in imagine) are must-dos

There is nothing wrong with the first group. The aforementioned sentence "A must is a must" applies to this case.

The type to provoke my interest happens to be the second one. People fill their lives with these irksome things that they themselves have labelled as must-dos. Leaving aside this fact itself, I wonder, why the exact choice of these must-do things? Couldn't they have been something more pleasant? Here are a few examples to illustrate the question:

1. Must-do thing: Wearing black to funerals.
Alternative: Sing the deceased's favourite song while you are walking to work the next day.

2. Must-do thing: Pretend everything is OK when it's not.
Alternative: Swear in Portuguese.

3. Must-do thing: Keep in touch with people you don't actually care about.
Alternative: Smile and look strangers in the eye.

4. Must-do thing: Complain about the weather, whatever it may be. In fact, complain all the time.
Alternative: Read and tell jokes. Reguarly.

Now, how would most people (you included, probably) react to the proposed alternatives:

1. If you sing loudly, smile or in fact exhibit any sign of happiness in a public place, people will think you are a lunatic or a drunk. Probably both.
My answer: Being unhappy is not a law of nature.

2. I don't speak Portuguese! Besides, swearing in Portuguese provokes no reaction, therefore robbing swearing of its original purpose.
My answer: Well....learn Portuguese, then! It's still better than running to the bathroom everytime you want to cry.

3. As for looking at strangers, so much as sniffing the air in their direction is normally considered as an amourous advance.
My answer: Stop being paranoid, people. Have more sex.

4. We don't have time for such nonsense as jokes. If someone will see us laughing, they will think we are lunatics or drunks. Probably both.
My answer: Show them the beauty of your middle finger.

I hope that from this you get my point.

NOTHING IS A MUST-DOUNLESS YOU WANT IT TO BE SO.