Everyone is a hero in their own story
“Everyone is a hero in his or her own story" forms a powerful lens to view the layers of human nature. Put at its simplest, it means that each individual, whether following good or bad intentions or not, thinks of him or herself as the hero of his or her story. This creates an interesting question: do bad people know they are bad? Or perhaps they justify their behaviors, allowing them to stay on the right track?
Do Bad People Know They Are Bad?
It is an age-old question: how do those who lie, cheat, or even injure others go through life free from guilt? Do they feel the immorality of their actions, or are they unaware? The answer often lies in how we, as humans, navigate our inner world.
Many who harm other people do not consider themselves villains. Instead, they make excuses, stories that permit them to go on with their choices. For them, all things are a result of either circumstance or a necessity-even a grander cause they believe they are working for. They may perceive that nobody understands them or they are victims of an unfair system. In fact, history has shown us that some of the most destructive people are those who, in the end, believe they are right.
Psychology of Rationalization
Indeed, the ability of humans to rationalize most things they do, no matter how painful that may be for others, is quite remarkable. Through this, one is able to preserve his self-worth. It's a psychological device that seeks to protect the ego from discomfort or dissonance. This is why one may cause pain for others but still feel justified or even virtuous.
For example, the employee who cheats on his mate might rationalize that he had no option but to do so, that he was only defending himself. The cheater in the marriage affair might rationalize that they were only playing the game that everyone else was playing. In their minds they are still the hero—they are just reactions to the situation they are in.
Satisfaction in One's Own Thoughts
More interesting, however is how even the most critical minds of society-often called "bad"-have some level of satisfaction within their thoughts and actions. This is because their inner logic, defective though it may be, satisfies the need for meaning and purpose, as long as they can at least persuade themselves that the rationalizations presented are strong enough to let them continue to carry on their existence without being crushed by guilt or shame.
And, of course, it is certainly true that not all people are self-reflected. There do exist individuals who indeed struggle with feelings of guilt and remorse. Yet many take on the narrative into which they place themselves and stay within it for comfort. They are not "bad" in their own sight; they are instead survivors, protectors, or revolutionaries fighting against even more oppressive forces than themselves.
Conclusion: Hero's Vision
And finally, each of us, well, is indeed the hero in his or her story. Not necessarily in our own knowledge, we all create personal narratives that allow us to live with our good and bad decisions. Some live their stories as journeys of self-discovery, growth, and contribution to others. Others turn it into an excuse for doing things that might harm or exploit.
So, the task is to work through our own stories. Do we really live according to our values, or do we only rationalize unhealthy behaviors that enable us not to be uncomfortable? That could be the first turn towards true, authentic self-awareness and change.
