Feeling Right Over Being Right

Most people prefer the emotional comfort and security of adhering to their existing beliefs and opinions, even when those beliefs might be factually incorrect or challenged by new evidence. This tendency is rooted more in ego protection and cognitive bias than in sincere pursuit of truth. “Feeling Right Over Being Right” captures this human behavior in a single line.  

Rare are those who teach that it is okay not to know everything and equally okay to be wrong. One learns and grows through mistakes. This gyan becomes the building blocks of success defined not merely by achievement, but by character, humility, honesty, perseverance, integrity, hope, and above all, faith.

Life repeatedly presents us with moments of decisions. In any such moment, the best choice is to do the right thing; the next best is to do the wrong thing; and the worst is to do nothing. For every complex problem, there is often an answer that appears clear simple and wrong. The greatest deception people suffer is not from others, but from their own.  

Admitting one is wrong can feel like a personal weakness or failure, threatening one’s self-esteem. Holding onto an original stance protects our ego and offers a temporary sense of superiority. Where there is failure, one need not fall into superstition or blame fate. Instead, identify steps omitted and begin again - this time more intelligently.

People also defend their beliefs to secure approval within social groups. In many situations being "right" is equated with competence, while being "wrong" risks embarrassment or rejection. Yet true intelligence lies in the willingness to rethink, unlearn, and update one’s understanding – choosing the pursuit of truth over the comfort of conviction. This openness enables learning, growth, and the adaptability.

Most people create their lives thought by thought, word by word, action by action. Every ideology, religion, nation and individual carries different ideas of right and wrong. To experience one aspect of existence, its opposite must also exist. Hence, many traditions describe this world as one duality. 

Light expresses itself as truth, love, joy, compassion and forgiveness. Darkness appears as illusion, fear, hatred, sorrow, suffering, indifference and vengeance. Spiritual awakening helps one discern and act in ways that move closer to one’s essence.

What draws us closer to our essence is right; what takes us away is wrong. Actions aligned with our purpose - to experience joy, peace, compassion, forgiveness and inner harmony are right. Actions rooted in vice or illusions are wrong. What elevates us forward us towards joy is right; what lowers us into suffering is wrong.

One of the hardest decisions made in life is choosing which bridges to cross and which to burn. Often the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. When things go wrong, responsibility must replace blame and excuses.  

From an AI lens ‘Feeling Right Over Being Right’ is a predictable optimization pattern. AI systems are designed to minimize error against objective feedback. Humans, however, often minimize emotional discomfort. In AI, cached data speeds decisions but becomes dangerous when the environment changes. Humans’ beliefs work similarly. Admitting “I am wrong” feels like model collapse. Though in reality it is model retraining.

Humans defend beliefs to feel safe – wisdom begins when truth is sacrificed for alignment with the Divine. Every moment of our decision are steps closer to live the bounties of Divine… choose well the purpose of ‘Being Right’.