To Thine Own Self Be True (Part 2)

by Ben

Do you ever find that some people insist that you be just as they want you to be?

Several years ago, I received a call from a nun who was the director of a large Catholic school informing me that she had one student who was making terrible problems for the school, students, and teachers. She informed me that his strange behavior was making the students and staff very uncomfortable. She suspected psychiatric issues, and wanted me to meet with the young man ASAP as a precursor to his meeting with our staff psychiatrist.

When the boy came in, I was very surprised to meet a well-mannered, well-groomed, articulate, and most notably exceptionally intelligent young man. I asked why he thinks the school requested he meet with me. He explained that it was a Catholic school, and he, not being of Catholic faith, refusing to say mass with the rest of the school, would politely stand at the side of the room while the service was being conducted. I thought he must be putting me on, so I asked him to leave the room so as to speak with his mother privately. She confirmed the story. Incredulous, I asked the mother and son to sit in the room while I wrote my report (something I have never done before or since). My report stated that there was nothing wrong with the young man ,but that there was something wrong with the principal of the school who made him come in for the appointment.

I signed my report and forgot about it, until about three weeks later when the nun called. I told her what the young man said. She replied, “So? Don’t you think there is something wrong with a boy who doesn’t say mass in a Catholic school?” I respectfully informed her that she should give serious consideration to finding other means to support herself, means which do not involve working near or around, and certainly not with, other people.

Sometimes the best pieces of advice are: “live and let live” and “to thine own self be true.”

So why is this so difficult for us sometimes?

Please leave comments with any grievances or salutations you have for or against this article.