Ac |CUSTOM| ed ?

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To start with,  
We have the customary  
"Hi's" and "Hello's"—  
Greet when you meet,  
Whether you want to or not,  
Flashing a smile  
That hardly reaches your eyes.  

Customary invitations,  
Customary appearances—  
Being present  
At places you'd rather not be,  
For events you'd rather not attend.  
But you have to...  


Customary nods,  
Agreements,  
Consent to do something  
You're not willing to,  
Only because you can't  
Get yourself to say "no."  

Customary commitments—  
Bonds and promises—  
When you're forced into something  
Only to return a favor  
A person from their bloodline  
Once did for someone from yours,  
Whose names have long been forgotten.  


Customary portrayals,  
Customary public image—  
Maintain it!  
Why?  
Because people are watching—  
All the time!  
Who are these people?  
No one knows.  
Why do they matter?  
No one can answer.  
Yet, we still choose to please them.  


Custom this, custom that—  
Ah! Enough of this!  
Customs are fine,  
Maybe even good,  
As long as they aren’t burdens.  

So just break the loop.  
Customize your own life instead—  
As per your choices,  
As per your free will,  
As per your conscience.  

Do it only if you truly want to.  
Say it only when you truly mean it.  
Be it only when you feel you should.  


Free yourselves  
From a customary lifestyle—  
For life was never meant  
To be merely 'accustomed' to.    

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