Necessary Endings
Below is a book summary for Dr. Henry Cloud’s book, Necessary Endings. Here is a description of the book:
Endings are not a tragedy to be first feared and later regretted but a necessary stage on the way to growth, says clinical psychologist and bestselling author of The One-Life Solution. Endings are a crucial way to get what we desire by shedding those things whose time has passed. The author addresses the benefits of concluding unsatisfying work or personal relationships, and he advises readers on diagnosing when the situation can be resuscitated or must be shut down. This "pruning" process can spark readers out of passivity or paralysis, getting them motivated and energized for change. With many examples of people moving on from untenable circumstances and through specific strategies for ending things well, Cloud advocates for powerful personal changes just in time for the New Year, and will give many readers the fresh start they crave.
Endings are not a tragedy to be first feared and later regretted but a necessary stage on the way to growth, says clinical psychologist and bestselling author of The One-Life Solution. Endings are a crucial way to get what we desire by shedding those things whose time has passed. The author addresses the benefits of concluding unsatisfying work or personal relationships, and he advises readers on diagnosing when the situation can be resuscitated or must be shut down. This "pruning" process can spark readers out of passivity or paralysis, getting them motivated and energized for change. With many examples of people moving on from untenable circumstances and through specific strategies for ending things well, Cloud advocates for powerful personal changes just in time for the New Year, and will give many readers the fresh start they crave.
| necessary_endings_-_henry_cloud.pdf |
There are also message notes from two talks he did at Willow Creek Community Church in August of 2008. Check out the notes below and listen to or watch both messages!
Sometimes in order to make meaningful change in our lives, it is necessary to put an end to an already existing routine of behavior or a relationship or a dream—whatever it is that is taking up time and space in our souls and not allowing for forward movement. God wants us to prosper. He has determined a destiny for each of us and he calls us to seek relationships with key people to whom we give our very best time and energy and from whom we can also receive. Necessary endings carry great significance in the advance of new beginnings.
| necessary_endings.pdf |
Before you determine that a difficult situation or a breaking relationship can only be remedied with a necessary ending, there are steps to consider that might make an ending unnecessary. Because the best predictor of the future is the past, that is where you've got to focus and determine what proven change processes must be taken to keep hope alive-whether within marriage, family, employment, friendship. This message gets very specific about strategies that can be incorporated to indicate a seriousness about wanting to bring about hope in order to avoid an unnecessary ending.
| unnecessary_endings.pdf |