How to Become Immortal

A while ago, I went to the doctors for the health checkup before being hired (the checkup included also a psychological test). The she-psychologist asked me what I would do if I were invisible for one day. Probably expecting to receive answers such as robbing banks, killing without leaving traces and other crimes, her face lighted up - exactly the way an adult would when a child tells them that it has been good and it deserves ice-cream – when I told her that I would go to libraries in order to read books and watch movies.

My answer – very sincere, actually – reminded me of the equation I want to solve until my life is over. Namely, that I want to know the trick in order to come back from the dead in order to wander through libraries and read the rest of the books that I had not had the time to read, but also those that were published after I’m gone. I must admit, I have asked around and nobody seems to know how to solve it. I will keep on asking. Hey, who can stop me from asking?!

But since I know that in order for things to happen, you have to make some things happen, I said to myself that I won’t sit around and wait, but I’ll take action. Still, it’s rather difficult to take action when it comes to an equation that seems not to have been solved yet. Or, if someone has managed to solve it, I am not in the know. Please, remain alert! And generous, especially if you should find yourselves knowing this information.

The idea about taking action stroke me while I was listening to someone telling a story about a person that acted in such a wonderful manner that it touched my interlocutor’s heart. And so I surprised myself thinking: ah, here’s a drop of immortality! It’s right here. In the interlocutor’s mind and experience. But also, in my conscience, too. And maybe even in someone else’ if I should tell it, too.

Thus, I started putting pen to paper and think about certain things that could ensure a somewhat immortality. Should you have other ideas, please share them with me! And I also encourage you to solve the aforementioned equation. My trust in you is immeasurable. And so is my hope.

Deeds that bring immortality:

1.     Do you have more than one sample for an item? Do you use only one of them, keeping the others intact or you just think it’s better to have a stock in case of need? Give away! Not everything. But a sufficient number that would make your home free of the things you do not use and thus, gaining more space for yourself. Moreover, you’ll feel good about yourself making a good deed (yes, apparently, we live in a world where Joey is right and there are no selfless good deeds). If you hate the thought of giving your things to your neighbors, there are a lot of associations that receive various types of things. In Bucharest, there are a couple of centers that receive clothes, shoes, etc., and these go directly to the persons in need.

2.     Be good to strangers. Every day we swim through life alongside people that are also passing by, trying to reach their destination. We are obstinate and focused on getting ahead, to push and elbow our way through, while stepping on toes and swearing. What if we could take a step backwards and make way for people, to say ‘thank you’, ‘please’, and ‘you’re welcome’? We know how good that made us feel when it happened to us.

3.     Smile. Exactly like yawning, the smile is contagious. Think about the gift of welfare you will be giving to people around you.

4.     Don’t give advice! Well, only give advice when asked. I’m pretty sure that already happened to you, too. When you feel the need to just talk about a situation and having someone to listen to you. That’s all, just listen. Usually, people consider giving advice because they feel that it’s the only way to show the interlocutor that they were listening.

5.     Cheer up the people around you. Sure, there is no need to buy clown costumes and red noses, but think about this – on a bad day, not focusing on the issue, and just detaching ourselves from it and think about a joke we could share with the others? So what if a joke won’t change the issue? It will definitely change the vibe. And detaching – trust me, I’ve already tried it – does miracles to finding solutions.

And here is the end to my list. I am pretty sure that there are still things to add to it. Should you have other ideas, you’ll find me standing on this bench. No need to shout! I am not totally swept away in the books I read.