Epic Tantrum Failure of the Bully

Once upon a time I knew a man who threw tantrums and bullied his way thru life. Very few limits, if any, were placed on him. He avoided personal responsibility at all costs. He expected, demanded, and received the care of others for his well-being, because according to him, to take responsibility for himself would result in a "loss of his money and freedom.”  

He was perfectly content to allow others to meet all his needs—and most of his wants. Perfectly content to abuse the system. Perfectly content to pitch fits until other people  picked up his slack. Until other people took care of his needs.

His lifestyle of entitlement, personal irresponsibility, bullying, and tantrum throwing served him most of his life. But in the end, a failed bully-session and a temper tantrum gone awry cost him everything he sought to keep—his money, his freedom, and soon his very life.

Who is at fault?

Him—because he was doing what had worked for him his entire life?

Society—because we allowed and enabled the behaviors to continue?

As much as we hate discipline, and as much as we balk against rules and limits—and answers other than "yes" (like "wait" and "no"), these unpopular answers, rules, and limits  are important.

There are reasons, we should work for our food and housing. There are reasons we should pay our taxes, wear our seat belts and helmets, and keep our insurance up to date. There are reasons we should not pass in low visibility roadways, or speed in certain conditions.  These limits keep us safer from harmful situations. These expectations help us to live productive lives and avoid the most destitute of situations.

Does following the rules and regulations, or living up to societal expectations ensure we will be prosperous, or have easy lives? No. But they enhance the probability. Are all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures right and good?  No. But we change them by going through the proper channels. We demonstrate peacefully. We vote out poor excuses for leaders. And when we are forced to fight as a last resort, we do so. However, we don’t start with the fighting, or the entitlement mentality—or at least we shouldn’t.

Don't be deceived—there are consequences for every action and choice we make (even those times we make passive "non-choices").  We sometimes forget about consequences because we don’t always see them. But there will be an ultimate day of reckoning each and every one of us.  

I hope my own disregard for rules does not end in tragedy like it did for this man. I want a Happily Ever After.