Mercy.

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Life is about showing mercy and most of the time we want to hold that power over another person without showing them mercy. The first thought that comes to our mind would be "He or she doesn't deserve it" but that's the whole concept about mercy, it's never about what was deserved but about what was given even though it wasn't merited.

The world would be in a better place if we all can learn to show mercy. A lot of people who exploit others and show greediness would stop doing that too if they can learn to show mercy but what's life without diversity? It would be boring if we all understand the concept of mercy and that's what makes mercy even more important since only a few practice it.

We need to show mercy at some point whether we like it or not and it's for the sake of our sanity as well as helping the other person. When we forgive others, it's not necessarily about the other person we showed forgiveness but more about us; for the sake of our peace and character building.

When mercy is in our capacity to give out, we should try never to hold it back. I know there are many things others have done to us that we have chosen to overlook and that's mercy. It pained us, hurt us deep to our marrow and there was that voice in our head telling us to make them pay so we can feel good and let everyone know the kind of power we wield but we don't have to. We should always try, not easy, yes, but try, to make mercy prevail over judgement.

I've had my tailor make a mess of my clothes and even my dry cleaner back when I was in Ibadan. I even told myself I would never patronize them again but still, I did. I just learned how to explain more in-depth and if the design is too technical for my tailor to handle, I would rather use another person and give him something simpler and in the same breath, my dry cleaner... My dry cleaner had delayed my clothes too many times and I promised never to give her any of my clothes again. She would come around, plead and would still pack clothes to give her. I only made sure that I would give her clothes I know won't be needed in 2 weeks - so everyone wins.

Many situations would annoy us and we would want to let that person know that we shouldn't be taken for granted, but really, to what end? Showing mercy makes things easier for both parties involved. Let's not forget that we have also been at the receiving end of someone's mercy whether we like it or not. We could have been dealt with over one slip or the other that we did and yet, they let it slide.

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We can't do without showing mercy and when we start having children then we would understand this concept of mercy even more. While growing up, I've seen some children do some despicable things and I would be fuming. I would see the parents talk to them and not spank them and I would be fuming, thinking to myself, I would never accept that. I understand better now while dealing with my baby. No one would have to teach you because children would sometimes test you to your limit as sweet as they can be. Sometimes, life forces us to do the right things and oftentimes we just have to learn it on our own. Mercy is the language we need to speak, forget about those who took it for granted because it's not necessarily about them but you.

I am always happy to share this story of a young man who served in the king's palace. The king wasn't a kind king and would always give out the punishment that was deserving to any offender. This servant stole from the king's treasury and the person who noticed this missing piece had to inform the king because he wouldn't want the king to assume it was him either, knowing how the king can be. Someone who noticed this servant that stole the item informed the king and the offender was locked up by the king in his dungeon.

The mother got wind of what her son did and sought every way to locate the king. She would sit outside the palace hoping to see when the king would come out and on this day, the king decided to take a stroll. This woman ran to the king, held his feet and pleaded for mercy. They almost restrained her but the king asked them to leave her just to know what she truly wanted since all she was saying was "Mercy".

She explained she was the mother of the locked-up servant and the king was more furious questioning how he dare to steal from him and he said "He got what he deserved." With tears soaked face, the mother said, "I am so sorry my king. He is my only child. I am not asking for what he deserved but what he doesn't deserve and that's mercy. If he didn't deserve it, I wouldn't ask for mercy." For the first time, the king was humbled and after a few hours, they let him go but never to work in the palace again.

If we are to go by what people deserved, no one can be deserving. Your friends would hurt and betray you. Those you do the most for would keep their distance from you. A lot would happen and it's never always easy, trust me, I have been there too but when we can, let's learn to show others mercy.

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This post also appeared here and it's my original work on my blog on Read.Cash. You will find this post later on my Whaleshares account with the same username; Olawalium.

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Thank you for your time.

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My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.

Still me,

My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.