Thread by @hartramsey

THREAD

For those of you who have decided that your “path forward” doesn’t include the circle (or certain members of the circle) you were a once a part of, I have some unsolicited advice.

1. Be as prayerful about HOW you leave as you are about WHY you’re leaving. For whatever reason, people are notoriously ignorant about the right way to EXIT.
Nothing ruins reputations & damages equity like a botched departure.

2. Be forthcoming. Especially if the circle you are leaving gave you an opportunity. You owe it to them to hear it firsthand from you that your time has come to an end. Don’t let them find out on social media, the news, or from the town gossip.

3. Don’t “scorch the earth” on the way out. Because you no longer find value in that circle doesn’t mean it’s no longer valuable. Even if your reason for leaving was a bad experience, remember, everyone didn’t have your experience. If it’s broken, let GOD fix it.

4. Remember the Good Times & the Benefits. We often tend to remember only the negatives of a past season—when in reality, there usually are more positives than negatives. Challenge yourself to remember what made your time there meaningful. How did you grow? What did you learn?

5. Be big enough not to air dirty laundry as a means of justifying your departure. Nothing makes us look smaller than when we violate confidences because we no longer need people. I never trust a person who is willing to betray a former friend. If you’d do it to them...you know.

6. Keep them in your prayers. Even if the departure left wounds & scars, praying blessings upon those you were once a part of helps bring needed closure. Pray FOR them! Not ABOUT or AGAINST them. GOD knows what’s needed. And He’s the fairest Judge of every situation.

7. (If it won’t cause harm) Reach back often to say hello, be a blessing, & show love. Relationships that can’t survive a departure were never really relational to begin with. Be BIGGER than the status quo. Set the standard for how exits should be handled. And go enjoy life!