- We introduced the Rosebush of Our Life and
- Reflected on How we feel about pruning
Now that we’ve become familiar and maybe a bit more comfortable with the idea of Pruning, are you ready to explore how embracing endings as a natural part of life are vital for growth in both your personal and professional spheres?
That’s the focus of the next chapter in Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Necessary Endings.
Normalizing Necessary Endings: Welcome the Seasons of Life into Your Worldview
Think about what happens when you willingly welcome someone or something into your life. What feelings arise? Now, imagine having something forced upon you—how different does that feel?
Likewise, what’s easier: handling something familiar or confronting something unknown for the first time?
Exactly! And here’s why:
When your brain perceives a situation as unknown, dangerous, or negative, it triggers the fight-or-flight response. This often leads to avoidance—pulling away from the very opportunities and growth you need.
On the other hand, when your brain interprets a situation as familiar, normal, and good, it encourages forward movement—toward growth.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Acceptance is a big first step forward, so let’s start there.
We’ve touched on some of these things previously, but acceptance being a matter of the heart, we’ll spend a little more time on it.
- Accepting life cycles and seasons in our life
How do you feel about the notion that endings are natural?
What endings in your life do you resist? If you believed in life cycles and seasons, which would you stop resisting?
- Getting used to the idea that life produces too much life
What activities or relationships whose season has passed are you hanging onto?
- Accepting that evil and incurable illness sometimes are part of life too
What relationship or situation in your life might you consider “toxic” or harmful? With that realization, what ending might be necessary?
If you’d like support working through these tough questions, I’d be honored to walk with you. Feel free to reach out for your free coaching consultation, and we’ll take the next step together.
Additional Resources
Dr. Andrew Huberman’s podcast How to focus to change your Brain
Next we’ll dive into chapter 4 of Necessary Endings:
The Difference Between Pain with Purpose and Pain for No Good Reason
- Good vs. Bad Pain
- Internal Maps
With gratitude, Renate
Written with ❤️ in Chiang Mai 🇹🇭