“Discipline and Mercy.”

 

D/Z,

 

 

I never quite got the balance of discipline and mercy, in the early days. I was too emotive, focusing on the way I felt about how you guys acted. That will always be the wrong approach. The only reason for discipline is to show the right path. It is not punishment. When you are younger, it may have a more demonstrative effect, but it must always be more about mercy than punishment. All discipline must come from love or it will have no lasting effect. We know when a blow is just hurtful, and we know when it is just a lesson.

 

I hope I show the mercy at the root of discipline. Yet, you must understand that I am human, and I need discipline and mercy too. I will not always live up to the things I say. My words and actions will not always end in love. I am learning to be human, just like you. Yes, to be human. Part of being that is learning through failure how to live in the light.

 

So, I hope you grant me both discipline and mercy from my various flaws.