Use your superpower in all situations: Show mercy

“Woah, ah, mercy, mercy me; Ah, things ain’t what they used to be.” Those are the timeless lyrics of Marvin Gaye. Things are rapidly changing and are indeed not what they used to be. Perhaps mercy is needed more than ever in daily life. What do you think?

Mercy means “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” What a sobering definition, isn’t it? The translation is that you could punish or retaliate against someone, yet you choose compassion or forgiveness. A sense of benevolence instead of malevolence is brought to mind. The definition of mercy is derived from the Old Etruscan translated to mean an exchange.

This is not to forgo laws or societal guidelines at all. But how can you practice mercy with individuals consistently? For many reasons, there seems to be a lack of being merciful in the world. Naturally, this must be balanced with boundaries. In some cases, very strong boundaries are called for.

The twin sister of mercy is empathy. What does it mean to empathize with another person? Empathy invites you to consider how you would feel in the same circumstance. Furthermore, it asks you to think about how you would want to be treated in the exact situation.

Our egos can get in the way, can’t they? Any of us can find ourselves on our high horse, adamantly judging others. Mercy arises from a higher place than that of judgment.

Do you remember a time when you have deliberately or unwittingly crossed a boundary, and someone gave you mercy instead of punishment? How did that feel? More than likely you felt relieved and grateful. Someone gave you a break. Perhaps you realized someone gave you a second chance.

You can apply this principle in a variety of situations, from large to small. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Mercy, when used skillfully, is a superpower.