PPP…no, not the Paycheck Protection Plan. I’m talking about people who exert control where it’s not needed, just because they can, to the misery of others…
You know, Petty People with Power.
I remember visiting my grandparents at their condo in Florida when I was a teenager. Sitting at the gate of an empty pool was an elderly man uninterested in the fact that we were kids; the rules of the pool would be followed. He made it clear that we would be summarily tossed out if there were ANY infractions. Which in his mind meant we weren’t allowed to laugh, talk above a whisper, or jump into the water. It was punishment meted out for no reason.
I recall a clerk at the municipal building who steadfastly refused to provide me with a copy of my survey, even though he could do so with ease. Regardless of my pleading, he refused to help. He acknowledged that he had access to it, but that I couldn’t get a copy. When pressed, he threatened to have me removed by the police for creating a disturbance.
I remember dealing with a partner of one of the CPA firms at which I worked. He demanded that we never use the phone to talk to clients, but all work must be done at the client’s location. The crap I took after I called the client to clarify one piece of information I needed was unbelievable. I was ranted at for a solid 15 minutes. Even though I explained that driving to the client, asking the question, and driving back would take nearly three hours, while my phone call lasted 30 seconds. He was unrelenting.
Three examples of Petty People with Power. These three people had one thing in common, other than their pettiness and obvious joy at pedaling misery:
They were all “up in years.”
If I was able to delve deeper into each one, I bet I’d find other similarities. Such as a general sense of unhappiness with their lives, insecurity, and need to control others.
There are lessons to learn here. Sometimes we learn best from watching what others do and acquire their strong traits. And other times, by doing the opposite. As you age, avoid becoming a PPP. Instead, build your strength through your generosity of wisdom, spirit, and ability to add to making the world better. Pettiness and Power can only destroy. Be a Builder!
