Last week I heard Steven Layne speak. He's a teacher and an author who has quite a story to tell. The keynote that he gave was called "Balcony People" based on the book by Joyce Landorf Heatherly.
Steve's website says this about his speech:
Can you identify the people whose contributions to your life have altered your direction, smoothed the path ahead, or guided you across treacherous ground? Those who have helped us become all that we are - our personal cheerleaders - deserve to be remembered. These are our balcony people...
And here's what Joyce's website says about the book:
There are some people in the "balconies" of our lives who cheer us on, energizing us by their warm affirmations. There are others who live down in the "basement," coldly tearing away at our souls with their unfair and critical judgments. This book is about discovering the balcony people in your life - and about being a balcony person to others.
And so with those explanations, I have to say that this week I have been thinking of all the people in my balcony who help to move me forward. And there are many of them.
I have also stopped and asked myself, "Whose balcony am I in?" We, too, need to make sure we are cheering others on...that we are encouraging...loving...kind...and supportive when we can be.
Although Steven only hinted at the concept of "basement people", Landorf Heatherly mentions these people in her summary.
I guess that we need to ask ourselves two questions:
Am I a balcony person? AND Am I doing my best to NOT be a basement person?
8 comments:
Oh very good. I like that! Great questions to ponder for the weekend. As soo as I started reading this, I knew right away who was in my balcony and who's in my basement. Great way to look at it!
Let me be the first to say that you are one of my 'balcony' people ;)
I've heard of Ms. Heatherly before. Correct me if I'm wrong, and I hope that I am, but did she pass away?
Good points to ponder!
Susan
Mmmmmm... food for a thoughtful weekend. I must say - I'm betting you are in a LOT of balconies! Mine included!
You're definitely on my balcony! And I love this concept. My BFF's husband spoke about balcony/basement people one night - he had read this book or heard this speaker one. It really impacted me.
Susan, I am very familiar with this concept of balcony people. It is such a beautiful thought. When I think of all the people in my balcony it brings tears to my eyes. I am blessed to have some marvelous cheerleaders in my balcony.
You have given me much food for thought. I certainly want to be a balcony person....not a basement person.
Thank you for this thought provoking post.
I read that book years ago and it has had a profound impact on our ministry. I'm sure you have a backstage pass to many people's balconies....welcome to mine!
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