Disturbing Encounter

Well, I think this post will really be and indicator of who, if anybody, reads these things...

I went by the Goodwill store yesterday to drop off some of my kids' clothes that they had outgrown and I ran into an old friend there. He is someone I have known almost all of my life. We used to be best friends up until about 3.5 years ago. We went to grade school and college together, pledged Alpha Tau Omega together and were best man in each others weddings. Then out of the blue he had a HUGE transformation in his religious beliefs. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say that what he believes and how he now lives his life are WAY outside the norm. Think of the most radical religion you can think of, and I would bet my last dollar that his beliefs are even more radical.

In following his beliefs he has undergone a radical transformation in appearance. He used to be a big burly guy. About 6 ft tall, but built stout. Maybe 250 lbs and strong as an ox. I would venture to say that he now weighs about 140. He also has a beard that hangs down to the middle of his chest and hair that goes half way down his back.

We made some awkward small talk for a few moments and then went on our way. He followed up our encounter with an email to apologize for keeping me longer than he felt he should have. I replied by telling him that in spite of his radical change that I could see the same person I once knew under the surface.

We have two components to our "self". We have our beliefs and our personality. Our personality dictates how we act within the boundary of our beliefs. His personality hasn't changed a bit. He was always a "bull in a china shop" and he loves to tell anyone who would listen "how things really are". No change in that, just the things that he believes. The dichotomy of his beliefs(very different) vs his personality(still the same) gave me comfort and despair at the same time.

Oh well, it is what it is and I will continue to move forward.