I think it’s time we all give the Wicked Witch of the West a break. Honestly, it’s plausible she started out with decent intentions and simply had a few things go sideways. There’s a difference — a big one — between unintentional harm and purposeful, premeditated damage. Between being wicked and being evil. And maybe the Witch understood that better than anyone.
Being wicked isn’t the same as being evil. Evil is deliberate cruelty. Wickedness is human. It’s the part of us that reacts when we’re tired, stressed, hungry, overwhelmed, insecure, or influenced by the wrong crowd. It’s the part that says something we shouldn’t, thinks something unkind, or meddles when we know full well we shouldn’t.
Think about a time you said something horrid — unfounded, uncalled for, maybe even untrue. Were you trying to cause pain? Or were you swept up in a moment, a conversation, a feeling? Maybe you didn’t say it out loud. Maybe you just thought it. Maybe you exaggerated something about someone without knowing the full story. Mean? Yes. Evil? No.
It’s called gossip. It’s called being human. And while it’s not flattering, it’s not unforgivable either. Because again — there is a difference between intentionally creating pain and inadvertently causing harm.
And maybe that’s the Wicked Witch’s good point: Most of us aren’t evil. We’re just imperfect. And sometimes our imperfections get loud.
Now, for fear of heading off on a tangent and not properly recalling everything I once learned about John Locke’s Theory of Mind and the “thinking self,” and because I want to keep the friendship I currently have with the Wicked Witch of the West (I know, some of you still think she melted—she didn’t … she’s alive and well just like John Snow—I swear) I’ll leave you with the following mantra:
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
Mā kaścit duḥkha bhāgbhavet
“May all be happy. May all be healthy.
May we all experience what is good, and let no one suffer —”
Now the next time you feel a tinge of wickedness rise in your blood just repeat that 🙂
Today’s post inspired by the WordPress daily prompt: What villain actually had a good point? Cover image, it’s just me and my cauldron ; )
If this spoke to you, be sure to “like” and share it over social with someone who’d appreciate the flavor …
DISCLAIMER: These are my personal experiences and opinions. Nothing here is medical, nutritional, or therapeutic advice. Also, I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
Leave a Reply