I'd say mercy and forgiveness are related, but not exclusively tied. I can let little things slide without actually forgiving anyone. Some things don't matter enough to bother with passing judgement or forgiveness. It's also 10 times easier to avoid passing judgement than it is forgiving. I can simply forget much more easily than I can forgive. Forgiveness takes concentration and patience where forgetting takes neither.
re: flipping the bird in traffic. -- I live in Texas where its not unreasonable to expect that anyone may be packing heat, and so I only need think of basic survival issues to consider not escalating petty traffic altercations. Mercy isn't really necessary there, but perhaps in the heat of the moment it just might have some survival value if you haven't yet figured that much out.
Mercy. Pre-emptive forgiveness? Or simply tolerance? When I think of mercy I consider not thoughtlessly make things more painful just because you feel justified, and sometimes even if you may be indeed be justified. You really can't competantly engage justice if you can't understand mercy first. Justice without mercy, has no more power of meaning than personal vengence or hypocritical dogmatism.
Very inspiring (turn the other cheek kinda way) ...very hard to do when faced with every day life situations but I admire your courage to look into yourself and have the strength to work on that. Oh, and by the way, you are not preachy at all. Good job and welcome back. Congrats on the marriage and your new path in life.
will you PLEASE PLEASE fix your hair so it doesn't keep falling into your eye. It is really annoying and distracting to watch. I'm trying to be merciful here :)
Mercy is one of the toughest things to do. I wouldn't call it mercy but I tend to grit my teeth and swallow my pride when I feel I've been wronged, rather than let things escalate out of hand and become something more than it really is. I think I still have a long way to go to showing real mercy. All party of being human I suppose.
I really agree with you! I think it would be hard to be merciful say in the case of murder etc. A couple of years ago my friend was killed by a drunk driver and although I know it would be good to be merciful in that instance, I cant because what happened wasn't humane let alone mercy. But I feel your addressing more everyday aspects of life where we do need to let go instead of getting angry - like getting bird poo on your car that you have to clean off whilst running for work sort of thing :)
i love this series, it's quite inspiring and it makes you think :) its so true about the road rage thing haha. im sometimes the victim in those situations but i do admit to being the jerk who drives too fast some of the time XD and it is hard not to want to scream at them but you're right--if you just let it go you feel much better :) great video!
@Drav1212 MJ did three videos in this series already, and as she explained in her last video, she's been busy doing things like moving and getting married. She could have left it at a 3-video series, but I'm glad she's picked it back up again now that she's back on YouTube.
You have to do this all the time when working in retail. dealing with cranky customers when you've been nothing but nice, sometimes it's hard to let go. but i find if I don't then the next customer doesn't get the best customer service that they deserve and I think for me that's very important to give that to everyone that walks through the door. but sometimes it can be challenging. :)
@missbananacheeks I half-believe that it should be mandatory for people to work retail for 6 months for that very reason. I am endlessly patient with people working retail, but on the flip-side, I have really high expectations for service because I know how much I valued that at my job.
Been watching you since the election campaign year 2008. Your man won the election and you went to work for him. I'll look you up on facebook. Any Scandinavian heritage in your family?
When I go shopping, I intentionally plan on letting people who are in a hurry or even aggressive, go in front of me....and toss them a kind smile to boot. Makes me feel great....and I hope it gives them pause too.
I had not thought of this as mercy, but it could be. Or maybe it could be called "indulgence"....or if you want a really old word: "forebearing".
Great videos, great state of mind. I'm really enjoying. Thanks for all good work.
dekzan 1 year ago
Melissa! Please put your hair to how it was in the "How to Love a Woman" video you made a year ago. Then let's get married.
ayd1nmo 1 year ago
I'd say mercy and forgiveness are related, but not exclusively tied. I can let little things slide without actually forgiving anyone. Some things don't matter enough to bother with passing judgement or forgiveness. It's also 10 times easier to avoid passing judgement than it is forgiving. I can simply forget much more easily than I can forgive. Forgiveness takes concentration and patience where forgetting takes neither.
Maniac742 1 year ago
Thanks Melissa, What a beautiful smile you have.
workwillfreeyou 1 year ago
Could come off as preachy? Everything you say is preachy!
cnapcra 1 year ago
Great Video! Mercy is one of the hardest things in my life to give too others even thou It has been given to me. Thanks for thinker!
eightskies 1 year ago
re: flipping the bird in traffic. -- I live in Texas where its not unreasonable to expect that anyone may be packing heat, and so I only need think of basic survival issues to consider not escalating petty traffic altercations. Mercy isn't really necessary there, but perhaps in the heat of the moment it just might have some survival value if you haven't yet figured that much out.
MoEnzyme 1 year ago
Mercy. Pre-emptive forgiveness? Or simply tolerance? When I think of mercy I consider not thoughtlessly make things more painful just because you feel justified, and sometimes even if you may be indeed be justified. You really can't competantly engage justice if you can't understand mercy first. Justice without mercy, has no more power of meaning than personal vengence or hypocritical dogmatism.
MoEnzyme 1 year ago
Very inspiring (turn the other cheek kinda way) ...very hard to do when faced with every day life situations but I admire your courage to look into yourself and have the strength to work on that. Oh, and by the way, you are not preachy at all. Good job and welcome back. Congrats on the marriage and your new path in life.
TheBraniac79 1 year ago
will you PLEASE PLEASE fix your hair so it doesn't keep falling into your eye. It is really annoying and distracting to watch. I'm trying to be merciful here :)
kingsizecobber 1 year ago
Good to see you back.
xSloboxx 1 year ago
Mercy is one of the toughest things to do. I wouldn't call it mercy but I tend to grit my teeth and swallow my pride when I feel I've been wronged, rather than let things escalate out of hand and become something more than it really is. I think I still have a long way to go to showing real mercy. All party of being human I suppose.
kiravintio 1 year ago
Hadn't seen a video from you in so long, it's like a jarring change. You still look gorgeous, though.
xtoturnwithinx 1 year ago
I miss your glasses. :(
Loving this principle series though!
♥
JustAVlogger 1 year ago
MelissaJenna! Where are your principle series glasses? wtj!?
MaywitherDragon 1 year ago
I really agree with you! I think it would be hard to be merciful say in the case of murder etc. A couple of years ago my friend was killed by a drunk driver and although I know it would be good to be merciful in that instance, I cant because what happened wasn't humane let alone mercy. But I feel your addressing more everyday aspects of life where we do need to let go instead of getting angry - like getting bird poo on your car that you have to clean off whilst running for work sort of thing :)
FairyXBec 1 year ago
i love this series, it's quite inspiring and it makes you think :) its so true about the road rage thing haha. im sometimes the victim in those situations but i do admit to being the jerk who drives too fast some of the time XD and it is hard not to want to scream at them but you're right--if you just let it go you feel much better :) great video!
MegaMuffin4568 1 year ago
Making 1 video and then 6 months later make another video does not define a "series."
Drav1212 1 year ago
@Drav1212 MJ did three videos in this series already, and as she explained in her last video, she's been busy doing things like moving and getting married. She could have left it at a 3-video series, but I'm glad she's picked it back up again now that she's back on YouTube.
keepbabbling 1 year ago
You have to do this all the time when working in retail. dealing with cranky customers when you've been nothing but nice, sometimes it's hard to let go. but i find if I don't then the next customer doesn't get the best customer service that they deserve and I think for me that's very important to give that to everyone that walks through the door. but sometimes it can be challenging. :)
missbananacheeks 1 year ago
@missbananacheeks I half-believe that it should be mandatory for people to work retail for 6 months for that very reason. I am endlessly patient with people working retail, but on the flip-side, I have really high expectations for service because I know how much I valued that at my job.
MelissaJenna 1 year ago
Long time no see, MJ! These vlogs are touching and thought provoking. Thanks for posting.
audadvnc 1 year ago
Holy crap, your hair got long.
xtoturnwithinx 1 year ago
@xtoturnwithinx Dude you're telling me. It's like it happened over night!
MelissaJenna 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you voted for barack obama. not acceptable
Cryengine 1 year ago
@Cryengine Liberals are people too. Focus on the present.
endocondor 1 year ago
your not being preachy. good video :)
paulsanchez 1 year ago
Been watching you since the election campaign year 2008. Your man won the election and you went to work for him. I'll look you up on facebook. Any Scandinavian heritage in your family?
daveyork0 1 year ago
I will practice this principle.
Leathal752 1 year ago
welcome back MJ. You look really happy. Thanks for continuing the series.
CAlex6977 1 year ago
Hi Internet, I'm M.J. ....famous last words
TheAceManHimself 1 year ago
When I go shopping, I intentionally plan on letting people who are in a hurry or even aggressive, go in front of me....and toss them a kind smile to boot. Makes me feel great....and I hope it gives them pause too.
I had not thought of this as mercy, but it could be. Or maybe it could be called "indulgence"....or if you want a really old word: "forebearing".
tommax26 1 year ago