Sunday, May 25, 2008

My Time-Out Chair

When my boys were little, I had a time-out chair for when they were naughty! It was used for those occasions when they didn’t obey me, and the timer was set for 3-5 minutes—depending on the severity of the “crime.”

Thankfully, I didn’t have to use it that often, but it became a refuge for me (although they didn’t quite see it that way!). Being able to separate my child from the action was important to me, and those three minutes allowed me to gain some much needed perspective. The chair wasn’t as much for them as it was for me!

Now that my “boys” are all grown up, I still use the time-out chair, but for a different purpose. I go to my chair to gain spiritual perspective and renewal. I have an inside chair for the fall and winter and an outside chair for spring and summer, but I "love" my outside chair the most because I have a view of our garden.
Recently, Carol VerBryck, author of Thee Prayer Chair Club e-mailed me and asked if I had a chair for journaling and I said, “Absolutely!” Thankfully, my chairs serve two purposes: journaling and prayer. My time-out chairs continue to be an ongoing source of rest, relaxation, and spiritual renewal.

Do you have a time-out chair? If not, go out and grab one…you never know when you may need it!


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9 comments:

Susan Skitt said...

Loved this post!

Yes, and in our house it is called the "break" chair or spot. One for Joel, and one for me.

My inside break chair for me is in the living room. It's a soft, chocolate color leather recliner that I sink into to read my Bible. (You know, the one in my story I wrote for your Taking Flight book - [smile]) and my outside chair is under the covered deck in my backyard.

Susan Skitt said...

P.S. Is that your garden? It's stunning!!!

inspired said...

yes i have a rocking time out chair.. great time out tool \o/

Connie Pombo said...

Yes, I remember the chocolate brown chair, and I remember thinking..."I need one of those!"

Time-outs are crucial these days as I continue to be the main caregiver in my hubby's recovery. More on that later.

Yep, that's are backyard--my peaceful place!

Connie Pombo said...

Inspired,

Why am I not surprised that you have a "time-out" chair with two boys!

My firstborn was strong-willed and I was so thankful for those few moments of distance that allowed me to collect my thoughts. Now that he's a high school teacher he uses the light switch. When the lights are turned off, the students have to "sit and think" for those three minutes. I laughed out loud when he told me that!

Greg C said...

We have so many chairs outside that I have trouble deciding which one to use. I like sitting inside my greenhouse in the winter with all the plants around me. That is my time out place.

Connie Pombo said...

Awesome...a greenhouse "time-out" chair. It doesn't get any better than that!

It didn't surprise me that "Gardener Greg" had a greenhouse chair!

Flea said...

I have a time out corner of the couch. :)

Your garden is beautiful!

Connie Pombo said...

LOL! :)))))))))

I used to have a "sofa" seat, but now that been taken over by hubby and the cat!