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Do you have a friend who is merciful? I really hope so. I am fortunate to have several merciful friends. You can recognize them by certain characteristics.

First and foremost, merciful friends are good listeners; they validate your feelings. They sympathize and help you calm down without shaming you or trying to fix your problems for you.

Here’s another question. “Are you a merciful friend to others?” Or, “Are you a ‘fixer,’ telling a friend what to do, or even doing it for them?” Being a good listener and empowering others to determine and execute their own solutions is often more helpful than being a “fixer.”