Villain Energy

Every story needs a villain. You know that person that holds space for the good guy. Creates chaos and reflects all that is bad so the hero can embrace all that is good. It allows one person to be right and the other to be wrong. It can justify doing something to stop the villain because they are just so bad. Think of all the movies, tv series, literature, news stories, politics, social media, relationships, family feuds, friendships, workplace drama and more that always have a villain and a hero. We love the stories and root for the hero to beat the villain. The drama, the hero’s journey, the twist and turns of the story. But what if it isn’t that simple to identify a villain? Do some people paint others as villains to manipulate, control or gain an advantage? Who are the real villains in the story and how can we start to identify them easier?

Think about a movie where the plot twists had you hating a character the whole time. Only to find out they were a good guy trying to do the right thing. You may see flashbacks of what you thought was bad behavior with a new perspective to see how they were helping all along. But it may have been easy to see them as the bad one. Even the so-called hero might have had you convinced they were bad. So, you believed it. Went along with the story. Defended the hero and sent hateful energy to the villain. Seems justified in the moment. I am doing the right thing. Standing up for the hero. But the problem is you lack information. You lack personal experiences with the so-called villain. You may only see the situation through the “hero’s” eyes and take that as the truth.

Any story can persuade us to see through the perspective of the one telling it. How do they want you to see the characters? Are they good or bad? But it is only based on the story they tell you. There is no other information. Usually there is a lack of personal experience with the other person. But you have a heart, you have empathy, you care. First why would someone say something untrue or speak ill of someone’s character? There must be motivation. Is it personal gain, manipulation, control or anything else to get ahead? It’s hard to believe people might manipulate you to believe a person’s character is something that would be an advantage to them. But unfortunately, there are a lot of people that have been doing that for a long time. And maybe that is what true villain energy actually is.

Have you ever heard the theories on the story of Peter Pan. That he was the actual villain that stole children from their families. And Captain Hook was the true hero that was trying to save the children. Kind of mind blowing when you think about it. But the story is always told with the perspective that Peter Pan is the hero and Captain Hook is the villain. One small perspective change and a whole new truth could come out that might be painful to think is true. But we all have these stories in our lives. Trusting a friend, co-worker, family member when they say someone hurt them or is a bad person. You may not have had a bad experience with the other person, but why would you doubt someone you trust that claims it is true.

Now think about stories in the news, social media, politics and even advertising. All are told with an agenda, a perspective for you to see it in a certain way. To believe the narrative of who is the hero and who is the villain. All are motivated to gain in some way. Is it money, power, influence or to have control. All stories have a hero and villain. They are powerful in persuasion, and it is easy for us to follow the story and trust the perspective of the hero. But maybe it is time to question who is narrating the story? Do you have personal experience to believe it? Are you being swept up with an emotional response? Are you yourself taking action against the so-called villain? And are you justifying anger and even hateful energy towards the villain because they are just so bad? You want to take them down, hurt their business, tell other people to stay away or not be their friend. If you feel justified if someone is a villain to take action against them, do you feel morally superior or righteous?

Take a deeper look into the people that you are being told are villains in your life. What is the perspective and motivation of the person telling the story? Have you had your own personal experience to collaborate it? Are you having an emotional response and feeling justified to take action against the so-called villain? Whether it is world issues or personal relationships, you are accountable for the stories you believe and the actions you take from them. Take the time to do a deeper dive on the people labeled villains. You might just be surprised by the plot twist of who the real villain turns out to be.