Tall poppy syndrome: Cut it down to size

I’ve been popular this last week. Being popular isn’t really on my radar mostly as I prefer a more low-key existence as far as other people go but this week I’ve had several messages from people I rarely hear from. It’s done nothing to promote my faith in humankind; In fact it’s lowered my expectations of people even further. Allow me to explain.

I drive a Ford Ranger 4x4 pick up as my weekend vehicle. I love it and it’s faithfully taken me where I needed to go without fuss and in relative comfort and safety. I off-road it pretty regularly on my shooting, camping and general “get the hell out of the city” trips. I’ve accessorized the vehicle heavily with all the goodies and it’s capable, willing and able to do anything I ask of it. It’s a trusty steed and I love it. I’m not ”in love” with it though. There’s a difference. Ok, moving on...

Recently there has been a factory recall for the Ford Ranger for a serious issue affecting some cars. Not all. You see, there is the ability for grasses to collect under the protection plate covering the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) located underneath the vehice. The DPF is an emissions-control feature that takes unburned emissions and recycles them through the DPF unit that super-heats the emissions and reduces the amount that escape into the atmosphere via the exhaust pipe. Naturally if grasses collect near the DPF a fire risk ensues due to the extremely high temperatures in the DPF. Several vehicles have smoldered and caught fire completely destroying them.

So, the recall was issued affecting some 70,000 vehicles. Recalls like this are not uncommon as vehicle designers sometimes make errors in design or components are found to be faulty. This particular recall DOES NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE. It’s for vehicles made after June 2016. Mine was manufactured in April 2016. I assume a design change was made allowing the protection plate to scoop up grasses if driven in long grass which I happen to do a lot.

This brings me to the point of this post. You see, I’ve had several messages from “acquaintances” who I haven’t heard from for some time gleefully telling me that I should have bought a Hilux or with smart-ass quips about my car being hot or some such bullshit. Now, don’t get me wrong; I like a joke as much as the next person and with my friends can be totally brutal. BRU-TAL! But it’s always with people I call friends and is good-natured. These others are acquaintances only and have merely taken this opportunity to sink the boot in, to be vindictive.

I believe it’s got a lot to do with the annoying trait many Australians have called the tall poppy syndrome. Rather than celebrate and applaud someone success they tear it down. Its rife here. Jealousy also plays a part I think.

I work hard for what I have, very hard. We don’t flaunt our success, possessions, where we go or what we do and are humble people in general. We make wise decisions, plan and strategize for the future and are happy to be patient rather than “wanting it all now” and falling into the credit trap. At the same time we make no excuses for generating success in our lives and having the ability to furnish our somewhat simple life with the things we need. Apologize for hard work and dedication to the task? No way!

And so, I took the taunts in the typical good-natured manner in which I have always done, made reply comments that could be considered “acceptable” and reset the esteem in which I hold those individuals; It was low to begin with. I refrained from biting back with my own taunts about their own rusted-out 15-year-old trucks, or lack of opportunity, and hand-to-mouth financial existence they endure due to their lack of vision, ability, work-ethic and ownership...You see a large part of ownership of ones’ life is to understand when to simply move the hell on and in this case that’s what I did. I’m not hurt or disappointed, to be so would empower those people and validate their opinions which, of course, are unfounded, uninformed and unimportant.

Own your life, be accountable for yourself, your thoughts, emotions and actions. Take responsibility; Have the courage to look yourself in the mirror and say, ”I am responsible” and find autonomy from the quagmire of emotional weight the world can put on your shoulders. Take massive action and make those actions positive. Be humble and kind and be the best you possible, as often as possible.

And as for my trusty truck? Well that beast is still rockin’ and rollin’ strong as ever.

Own it
@galenkp