AREA 52 Cartoons
by Mike Wilkerson:  From Behind The Electrified Pencil...

AREA 52 "Electrified Cartoon":
STARDATE: 10112.05
 

"EXIT: Stage left..."

Oh, the overly-dramatic ramblings of those leaving the ranks of STARFLEET International...

In my "Fleet-Life" I have simply lost count to the number of people that have "left their position," but I can easily say that those that have left gracefully are less than I can count on one hand.

Volunteerism is something that is one of the many and razor-sharp double-edged swords that we all live with in everyday life.  There's a job to do, there's time to do it, there's time to do your real job, there's "me" time, and time spent with family, friends, etc.

In what is becoming a majority of the time, "something's got to give" which means that one of the lines drawn by you in your life changes/stretches/alters, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with change.  In the never-ending juggling act that life is, we've all got to learn to compensate with how things "change."  It's very much like how a real-life juggler compensates when one of the objects he's hurling juts just slightly into a differing orbit. We too must take the time to compensate and "continue the juggling act".

Also remember, however, just like anything in life, you've got the choice to do something different, like choosing to bail, lose, for a  period of time, everything that we're juggling except for the few things in each hand, and then eventually recover.

What I would tell the next prospective person that puts themselves in the position to be juggling so much that they too must make a decision is that if you decide to leave, take the time to leave "gracefully."  While everyone would like to believe that they are indispensable, nothing could be further from the truth.  You may be right in saying something along the lines of "things will never be the same without me!", but the bottom line is that things change, and time marches on.  Your position will be re-filled, the organization will go on, and  your job will be taken over by someone else that will try to "make a difference" for as long as they know how to, until their juggling act becomes one that needs a break.

So the choices you have in regard to leaving (and this isn't just Fleet, stuff, it's everything) are: 

Leave and make yourself look like an ass thinking that your organization will never be able to continue without you,

or

Make a nice, calm and planned "Exit: Stage left" and move on with your life in whatever endeavours you decide to pursue. 

Hey:  It always worked for Snagglepuss:  Let it work for you and let the "drama" and "bitterness" service elsewhere.  In general it is ultimately unprofessional, and will almost certainly negate any kind of legacy (especially those of hard work) and leaves only a bitter/sour remnant of the price and service you brought to the position you held.