• Discussion Forum

  Dr. Crabb talks about our tendency to keep relationships shallow using the image of “not turning our chairs toward one another.” Why is it so difficult for us to “turn our chairs”? In other words, why are we reluctant to let anyone really know us? As you think about your answer, consider these possible reasons: Don’t have time. Don’t want to get involved. Don’t care. Feel inadequate and awkward. Don’t know how to form deeper relationships. Not culturally acceptable. Explain several possible reasons (using your own or from the list above) and then give an example from your experience that demonstrates which reason most often keeps you from turning your chair towards others.

  Loris Mccorvey replied 2 days, 15 hours ago 197 Members · 204 Replies

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  Gregory Lazare

  Member

  09/18/2024 at 20:02

  Today it is more difficult for us to turn our chairs toward one another because we are too busy with other things we think need more of our time. Social media is one of things that take control of people’s time today. If we need to make a major impact of other’s lives we really need to start turning those chairs. People are really going through tough times and seeking for help. As for me, my inner motive to shelter has pushed to not turn my chair, after this course I hope to get better reason to leave my shell and start turning the chair.

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  Cynthia Porter

  Member

  09/04/2024 at 19:28

  Most people say they don’t have time,, our world has become over whelmed by electronics like cell phone, etc. That has created a distance that is difficult to overcome and easy to hide behind, making it difficult if not impossible to form deeper relationships. It seems that more and more folks are abeciming

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  Ashley Gentry (Bowen is maiden name)

  Member

  09/03/2024 at 07:00

  -Love of comfort

  -Sense of inadequacy

  -Self-centeredness

  -Our culture tends to value independence which has led to a more isolated culture overall

  -Too much social media has led to a breakdown of face-to-face communication through surface-level relationships ruling most of one’s life

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  Jennifer Reed

  Member

  08/23/2024 at 14:30

  Our world is fast paced and filled with distractions. We are often focused more on production and results and fail to pause and consider our own thoughts, let alone the thoughts of others. We live almost as parallel cars on a freeway, never slowing down on our journey from here to there. In my life, I have often tried to be accessible to everybody. I wanted to be available to my husband, my kids, our Safe Families kids and their parents, our family members, our friends, our neighbors, etc. etc. Though I am a very transparent person and often slow down to listen carefully to people when they ask for my time, I would overextend and try to live in a space of rushing from chair to chair depending on who needed me. I think we must be willing to slow down our pace, live with margins, take care of ourselves, and create time for the Spirit to move when turning our chairs. Only then can we really engage in this essential practice of living and coming alongside others in community.

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  Tracy Ward

  Member

  08/20/2024 at 11:13

  Some people might not turn their chair toward others because they are afraid they won’t know what to say or how to help,and fear they might make the person feel worse instead of better. Some people might feel they have too much going on to take on in their own lives to take on other people’s burdens. Other may feel like other people’s lives are none of their business.

  A friend of mine came to me once with some serious problems in her life and I was worried about saying something that might cause her to not feel safe confiding in me anymore. That’s usually my fear.

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