#257 amen

We have all worked around colleagues who take on the role of martyr.  They claim to work too long or too hard; in general doing tasks that cause them duress.  It is hard for many of these people to say "no", so they take on Herculean workloads by default.  

I hope these people take a lesson or two from someone who actually knows about real martyrs, Pope Benedict XVI.  For the first time in 600 years, the man in his position resigned.  He recognized that the health and energy level of his 85-year old body was not sufficient to "adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."  In short, the Pope said "no more".

I am sure that it was not a decision made lightly.  His appointment to the job was as close to an Act of God as it gets in the employment world, and the expectations of the 1.18 billion Catholics were that he would remain in the position until death.  But if Pope Benedict could see that the Church would be better served without him in the role, surely your organization can survive if you say no or step back to a more humane pace.

The Vatican and the Pope have not been without controversy in recent times, but acknowledging personal limitations and admitting deteriorating strength are examples from His Holiness that people of all faiths can follow.

-- beth triplett
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