Are you really a good person?
Today, something very empathetic happened to me that changed my view of the world. My algorithm unexpectedly suggested some interviews from the 'slums.'
It’s 1 in the middle of the night; I’m on my bed under my blanket, and I’m literally having tears in my eyes.
These people are so respectful, kind-hearted, and despite of having these many struggles in their life, they still are filled with hope and not cussing God for their circumstances.
The kids are so innocent, finding happiness in the smallest of things. Although some of them would end up becoming a thief or a criminal (which usually happens),
And then the question strikes..
Does stealing bread to feed your family makes you a bad person?
But first, what actually is a 'good person'?
And how can we define 'goodness'?
Domenico Matteillo was once a respected pediatrician for 30 years. He was loved by his patients and adored by their parents.
But in a shocking turn of events, he faced trial for being guilty of making pedophilic advances towards his female patients.
Neuroscientific research showed that he had a 4-inch tumor growing in his brain, which was causing him to feel pedophilic urges. After the tumor got removed, his pedophilic urges stopped completely.
But it was too late; he had already become what society would call a 'bad person.'
But was it his fault?
Did he choose to be that way?
"According to the government of the United Kingdom, more than half the people in prison have a brain injury."
Which means they’re not bad people; they’re just like us. Who found themselves in the prison because of the events that were totally out of their control.
In the words of Harvey dent..
“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the Villain"
And since we don't have a say whether we would become a 'good' or a 'bad person,' it is solely depends on our circumstances.
Because there’s a high probability that if you were born somewhere in the slums of Cape Town, you would’ve become a Criminal.
A wise man is someone who is mature enough to understand why the so-called “Bad people" are acting the way they do.
You must have watched the TV show 'Breaking Bad.' In that show, the main character Walter White is a criminal, a drug dealer, and a murderer. But still, you would not call him a bad person because ultimately he had done all of this for his family.
Similarly, in the movie Joker, you would not call Arthur Fleck a 'bad person' because you are familiar with his tragic past.
It happens because the story is written from their point of view and that is why we feel compassion for the characters and not consider them as a "Bad person".
A good person can be defined by a set of characteristics in one's personality, such as being honest, kind, and respectful.
And most importantly, having empathy and compassion for others. Forgiving them for their mistakes. But only in our hearts. Because ultimately, we still have to punish them; otherwise, the society would collapse.
As Dalai Lama said..
Having empathy and compassion is important because you may be against 'same-sex marriage,' but what if you were born that way? Would you still oppose that?
Just a little less intelligence in your DNA, and you're acting like a weird kid in your college, who no one wants to talk to, and no one wants to be friends with.
In truth, none of us chose to be born in this world as what and who we are. None of us set up the rules; none of us had really have a say.
But we're all here now, and compassion appears as the only through-line that radiates positive change and forgives others.
in the words of the Xun Kuang..
Have a nice day:)
