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Balcony People
Some people are in the "balcony" of your life, cheering you on, energizing you with their affirmation. Others are in your "basement" doing exactly the opposite. This book is about being a "balcony person."
72 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 25, 2011
I have read this book twice and found that it helped me decide what kind of person I wanted to be to myself and to others. Although the book has a decidedly Christian slant, anyone can learn from the principles in the book.
October 1, 2010
A very short book, and I mean less than 70 pages, but filled with lots of meaning. Based on the concept that people need affirmation in their lives to value themselves. And we get affirmation from others, and it is also our job to affirm others in return. Says there are two kinds of people, those people who 'build you up' (balcony people) and those who 'tear you down' (basement people). If you are like me, I could readily name those who are basement people in my life, and had a much harder time naming those who are balcony people.
The author quoted Keith Miller's 'The Taste of New Wine' in telling of his concept about how our minds are 2/3 UNCONSCIOUS filled dark, murky waters maintained by our basement people, and 1/3 CONSCIOUS filled with people who are hanging over the balcony cheering us on.
I agree.
This book really made me think about the people I'm around now, and those who have influenced my life either negatively or positively in my life.
In the end, it left me feeling lonely...saddened.
There are also a few wonderful poems included in this book.
Favorite Quotes:
"This book is about the lethal poison of rejection and the healing antidote of affirmation." p 9
"Before we understand how to be affirmers, we have to face the reality of rejection and its lethal force in our own lives. We need to deal with our own brokenness in order to move out into the world as affirmers." p 12
" I am sure, if there were a way to view a movie and see instant replays of all the strategic change points in our lives, that we'd instantly spot the people who either broke our sprits by their critical or juegmental evaluations, or who healed us by their loving, perceptive affirmations." p 14
"The basement people of our minds pull us down iwth comments life, "You're not gonna make it." They tell us we can't do such and such. They drop subtle or not so subtle hints about our inferior qualities, and thoroughly damage our personhood." p 33
"It seems to me that few, too few, of us honor one another. We are too interested in our own welfare, our own successes, our own achievements. We are intimidated by someone else's gifts or talents. We become so busy climbing the ladder of our own triumphs that we resent taking the time to pay homage to someone else." p 47
The author quoted Keith Miller's 'The Taste of New Wine' in telling of his concept about how our minds are 2/3 UNCONSCIOUS filled dark, murky waters maintained by our basement people, and 1/3 CONSCIOUS filled with people who are hanging over the balcony cheering us on.
I agree.
This book really made me think about the people I'm around now, and those who have influenced my life either negatively or positively in my life.
In the end, it left me feeling lonely...saddened.
There are also a few wonderful poems included in this book.
Favorite Quotes:
"This book is about the lethal poison of rejection and the healing antidote of affirmation." p 9
"Before we understand how to be affirmers, we have to face the reality of rejection and its lethal force in our own lives. We need to deal with our own brokenness in order to move out into the world as affirmers." p 12
" I am sure, if there were a way to view a movie and see instant replays of all the strategic change points in our lives, that we'd instantly spot the people who either broke our sprits by their critical or juegmental evaluations, or who healed us by their loving, perceptive affirmations." p 14
"The basement people of our minds pull us down iwth comments life, "You're not gonna make it." They tell us we can't do such and such. They drop subtle or not so subtle hints about our inferior qualities, and thoroughly damage our personhood." p 33
"It seems to me that few, too few, of us honor one another. We are too interested in our own welfare, our own successes, our own achievements. We are intimidated by someone else's gifts or talents. We become so busy climbing the ladder of our own triumphs that we resent taking the time to pay homage to someone else." p 47
May 28, 2007
If you've been around me very long you've heard me refer to this book... I read it in high school and it left a lasting mark on my life. Our days are filled with people who are quick to point out the bad in our lives... but learning to be a person who finds the good; who leans over the balcony of life and cheers us on.. now that's a balcony person! I'm always trying to be one of those!!
September 1, 2025
So! this book is HELLA dated!!
Joyce was definitely before her time. She would have loved Love Does by Bob Goff, and the like. published in 1980s, she was ahead of the Loving People no matter what!
there was a lot of parts that still felt Evangelical, to the point of me rolling my eyes but it was still pretty good ! particularly a poem on masking !
Joyce was definitely before her time. She would have loved Love Does by Bob Goff, and the like. published in 1980s, she was ahead of the Loving People no matter what!
there was a lot of parts that still felt Evangelical, to the point of me rolling my eyes but it was still pretty good ! particularly a poem on masking !
March 21, 2015
Joyce Landorf talks about good Christian actions without preaching. She has a nice casual writing style. She says, "..although I believe that affirming is one of the most effective (yet subtle) ways of spreading the good news, it also enables us to work best with other people." To Landorf, affirming is like being a cheerleader for the other person. I want to reread this book soon.
December 28, 2014
If you're interested in making a difference in the lives of those around you, this is the book for you! Great read; makes you appreciate the balcony people in your own life too :)
September 19, 2015
I first read this back in 2009 and felt pulled to read it again last night and finished it up this morning.
It's a good little uplifting read.
Basically there are two types of people in this world: the affirmers (balcony people) and the evaluators (basement people). The books provides a lot of practical advice about how to move past those toxic basement people whose negativity and passive aggressiveness has the power to pull you down into the mire (one harsh comment even) and focus on the balcony people in your life which is what I needed to be reminded of. It also of course has tons of wisdom on how to be a balcony person to the people in your life.
I like the simplistic and uplifting style of the book-- also it's short and sweet.
It's a good little uplifting read.
Basically there are two types of people in this world: the affirmers (balcony people) and the evaluators (basement people). The books provides a lot of practical advice about how to move past those toxic basement people whose negativity and passive aggressiveness has the power to pull you down into the mire (one harsh comment even) and focus on the balcony people in your life which is what I needed to be reminded of. It also of course has tons of wisdom on how to be a balcony person to the people in your life.
I like the simplistic and uplifting style of the book-- also it's short and sweet.
Read
July 19, 2011This book was just what I needed to hear. The premise of book is that there are two types of people in this world. Balcony people and basement people. A balcony person is someone who is hanging over the rail of a balcony cheering you on, encouraging you, and letting you know that they beleive in you. Basement people try to drown you in their basement. They are critical and evaluating you. It reminded me of the type of person I want to be!!!
September 21, 2012
This little book was given to me by my sister in law; think I'd heard of it online somewhere. An easy read and good book about encouraging/affirming others, thus being a balcony person. It's probably something that I should re-read at some point to remind me of some of the lessons!
September 18, 2012
Easy read, basic concept, but I remember this book even years after reading it (and that is HIGHLY unusual for me). It defines Balcony People as those people in your life that are there cheering you on. Great lessons and insight on family and friendship! Read it and pass it along!
June 6, 2008
This book is fabulous. It really explains different people and personalities and why you want to surround yourself with and be a Balony person.
September 17, 2012
Wonderful book - short, but full of encouragement as you identify those amazing balcony people in your own life...those people that cheer you on through the good, the bad and the wonderful.
November 18, 2014
This book presented a fantastic concept in religious wrapping. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm a non religious person and I got the message from it and found it inspirational.
February 18, 2015
Very inspiring...I need to be a better balcony person
Read
February 3, 2017wonderful book.
September 20, 2014
Outstanding! True words from God to my heart at the perfect time! Great truth. Thank you!!!
February 9, 2019
I've had this book over 30 years and have read it a couple of times. The edition I have has a soft, velvety gray and maroon cover, and a little mold from when the basement conditions ruined many of my books. I couldn't bring myself to toss this gem, though.
Rereading it this week, I realized how often I think of the statements in this book, not even remembering the thoughts were taken from this book.
Joyce's main idea is to teach us to be encouraging, not life-sucking, people. The thought is that people like this are "balcony people", the people who are in the balcony of our lives and cheer us on. I thought of my mom a lot while reading this, and even though she's with Jesus, she still remains in the balcony of my mind. "But unlike the others who were cheering me on, she...just leaned over the railing, smiled, and shouted, "I told you so!"
I'm putting this back in my reading-now stack of books to read again.
Rereading it this week, I realized how often I think of the statements in this book, not even remembering the thoughts were taken from this book.
Joyce's main idea is to teach us to be encouraging, not life-sucking, people. The thought is that people like this are "balcony people", the people who are in the balcony of our lives and cheer us on. I thought of my mom a lot while reading this, and even though she's with Jesus, she still remains in the balcony of my mind. "But unlike the others who were cheering me on, she...just leaned over the railing, smiled, and shouted, "I told you so!"
I'm putting this back in my reading-now stack of books to read again.
April 25, 2021
Balcony People = Affirmation
Balcony People is a treatise on the value and importance of affirmation. The contrast between balcony people and basement people helps to clarify the difference between affirming people and non-affirming people.
She describes it well with the following illustration. When the doctor takes a new born and lays them on their mother’s breast, the mother affirms them not for a character quality or for anything they have done, because they haven’t done anything. She affirms them because they are, they exist. We all need that kind of deep affirmation, and on a regular basis.
We all need balcony people in our lives. We all need to be balcony people for other people. The challenge is to decide today for whom we will be lifelong balcony people.
Balcony People is a treatise on the value and importance of affirmation. The contrast between balcony people and basement people helps to clarify the difference between affirming people and non-affirming people.
She describes it well with the following illustration. When the doctor takes a new born and lays them on their mother’s breast, the mother affirms them not for a character quality or for anything they have done, because they haven’t done anything. She affirms them because they are, they exist. We all need that kind of deep affirmation, and on a regular basis.
We all need balcony people in our lives. We all need to be balcony people for other people. The challenge is to decide today for whom we will be lifelong balcony people.
August 14, 2020
Heatherley puts rejection into a different perspective when she introduces the concept of balcony and basement people. While it is listed as a "Christian' book, I could see it as supplemental reading for several psychology classes.
Her story about the woman who approached her after a presentation and told her about sparrows was so touching. It made me long for more of those people in my early years.
After reading BALCONY PEOPLE, my goal is to make more of a concerted effort to be more of a balcony person for people in my life.
Her story about the woman who approached her after a presentation and told her about sparrows was so touching. It made me long for more of those people in my early years.
After reading BALCONY PEOPLE, my goal is to make more of a concerted effort to be more of a balcony person for people in my life.
January 10, 2018
Just as good 30+ years as the first time I read it!
This book has helped me get through my entire adult life! It has made family member’s deaths easier to bear. Picturing my grandparents leaning over the balcony cheering me on always brings a smile to my lips. Being considered for someone’s list of balcony people would be the highest honor I could imagine.
This book has helped me get through my entire adult life! It has made family member’s deaths easier to bear. Picturing my grandparents leaning over the balcony cheering me on always brings a smile to my lips. Being considered for someone’s list of balcony people would be the highest honor I could imagine.
September 6, 2018
Simple Yet Immensely Profound
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has ever heard the condemning voice: the voice that speaks the language of untruth—even if that voice is coming from their own lips. It’s a beautiful encouraging work, that inspires us to not only see our ‘balcony people,’ but to become one ourselves.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has ever heard the condemning voice: the voice that speaks the language of untruth—even if that voice is coming from their own lips. It’s a beautiful encouraging work, that inspires us to not only see our ‘balcony people,’ but to become one ourselves.
December 5, 2020
Affirmer or Evaluator.
Absolutely eye opening concept regarding relationships and the consequences of our actions. Becoming an Affirmer requires a conscious effort to see the humanity in others without judgment. I have read this book several times in the last 30 years and I find a new growth and truth to consider each time.
Absolutely eye opening concept regarding relationships and the consequences of our actions. Becoming an Affirmer requires a conscious effort to see the humanity in others without judgment. I have read this book several times in the last 30 years and I find a new growth and truth to consider each time.
August 28, 2023
Not only does this book make me grateful for the balcony people in my life, it reminds me to be that person hanging over the rail and cheering others on. It doesn’t take much to be an affirmer and encourager. But it can be a nudge or word that others need to not give up. From a Christian point of view, it’s love and giving grace. One of the best witnesses one can offer.
July 2, 2025
This is the second time I have read this book and I think it made more of an impression on me this time. It is basically about being an affirmer and an encourager to others rather than being a judgmental, fault-finding, critic. It is a short read, but has a powerful message: what if more people were balcony people cheering each other on instead being basement people pulling each other down?
March 12, 2018
Must Read & Mid Course Correction
This book is convicting and liberating. There is an incredible opportunity to either uplift or hold down, and the choice is ours. The author lays out a wonderful alternative worth adhering to. I look forward to implementation & impact.
This book is convicting and liberating. There is an incredible opportunity to either uplift or hold down, and the choice is ours. The author lays out a wonderful alternative worth adhering to. I look forward to implementation & impact.
February 3, 2019
This slim volume provides a clear path to understanding the affirmers or evaluators in your life who she refers to as balcony or basement people. More importantly it reminds me to work harder to be a balcony person for others.
January 24, 2020
This book did a good job reminding me of the importance of encouraging, listening, and loving others well. Not sure about the foundation to her theories, referencing Freud, but I tried not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It was short and somewhat sweet.
April 5, 2022
Not a bad book, I do love the expression and plan to use it moving forward about being someone’s “Balcony Person”. Was a quick read which is why I chose it in the first place. The book does lack the structure of chapters which is my main criticism.
September 9, 2018
A good read. I think the description of who are balcony people and those that are the basement people is excellent. I could not put it down until the end.
October 13, 2018
Amazing
This is such a great book on affirming others and the importance of having balcony people in our lives. People who give us strength, courage and confidence.
This is such a great book on affirming others and the importance of having balcony people in our lives. People who give us strength, courage and confidence.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews