Conversational in nature, the writer talks and then invites the reader to talk back (respond, react, agree or disagree) in the spaces designated "Your Turn."

An additional chapter includes an article "Dancing in the Dark: Revisiting the Depression of a Spouse" published at the invitation of the Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

The small group study guide written by Morlee Maynard provides an extra bonus, a tool for discussion and interaction.

The book team is composed of Carole Hallum, editorial assistant; Sybil Waldrop, author; Morlee Maynard, small group study guide author; Tony Gerber, book cover and layout designer, who has done free lance illustrations for LifeWay. A practical and inspirational guide, the book encourages the reader to reach toward his God-given potential. A down-to-earth resource for individuals, church staff, and others in helping professions, this book is available from:

Monarch Press, P.O. Box 3321, Brentwood, TN 37027
Price, $12.95 plus TN tax; P & H, $3.
Bulk prices available. (TN residents add $1.20, state tax)

Thank you, Sybil, for the revision of a favorite book: Getting Good at Being You. As a State Children's Specialist, I have used your book in so many ways. Without fail, I get a call or mail thanking me for giving the book. Each year our state has a Professional Preschool / Children's GetAway. Your book was given to each one who attended - so many have told me how much it has meant to them. I have also shared the book with new Children's Church Workers. The content is such a good basic. My thanks. Keep the writing coming!

Liz Lee
Liz Lee, Children's Ministry Specialist
Christian Growth Development Group
Tennessee Baptist Convention

A review of Getting Good at Being You by Jim Walter, retired professor of Adult Education and Aging at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, published in the BACE Journal, Vol. 18, Number 4, Dec. 2002, "Christian Education Bookshelf." Used by permission.

After reviewing one other book, Walter writes, "Another useful book is Getting Good at Being You, Revised Edition, by C. Sybil Waldrop. (Brentwood, TN: Monarch Press, 2001. The original edition was published by Broadman Press 1989.)

Summing up the thesis of the book, Sybil writes, 'getting good is a lifetime process of becoming all that God made you able to become. You are always striving toward becoming perfect--whole, complete, a more mature you.'

Most Christian life books have a predictable sequence: begin with the problem and work toward God. This book reverses that sequence by beginning with God, His character and love for persons. 'You can become fully alive by discovering who you are, who you were meant to be, and the gifts God has given you. If God can change a tadpole into a frog, just think what he can do with you, the highest of His creation.'

A chapter is devoted to learning to love ourselves and the value of a healthy self-esteem. One unique feature in the book is a 'self-esteem house' that readers can use to analyze their own degree of self esteem. Waldrop rightly asserts that when we accept God's love for us, we can truly love ourselves.

Other chapter titles are: 'Enjoy and Appreciate Others,' 'Be Yourself,' 'Radiate Joy,' ' Be Genuine,' 'Love Life: Savor the Moment,' 'Stop Nonproductive Behaviors' and 'Developing a Positive Attitude.'

This book is all the more remarkable for its description of how the author faced her husband's depression. Laced through the pages is Sybil's use of her own writing to give her hope and serenity as a caregiver.

Sybil wants to engage readers. So every chapter has several interactive features whereby she has a virtual conversation with them. In summary, this book helps one to jump start one's life with a fresh challenge to maturity. It will be welcomed by those who are occasionally down in the dumps, as most of us are.

Dr. Waldrop has written an engaging, encouraging guide to maturity. It costs just a few dollars more than a couple of Hallmark cards and is much more valuable. You can purchase it directly from the publisher by writing Sybil at 1624 Vineland Drive, Brentwood TN 37027 or by calling her at 615-377-9345.

By the way, Morlee Maynard, soon to assume the editorship of the BACE Journal, has written a small group study guide which makes Waldrop's book easily adaptable to use in classes and study groups."

Sybil Waldrop states: "All people have problems. We experience them at different times and with different intensities. Attitude makes the difference."

The two chapters on "Stop Nonproductive Behavior" and "Develop a Positive Attitude" contain words I wish I could have read and reread years ago. They contain practical suggestions for joyful and abundant living.

Recently, I reread the entire book in two days, enjoying the many stories and savoring the wisdom of each chapter.

I happen to know that Sybil Waldrop has not only written a delightful and informative book, but that she has literally made the choice to live by its teachings.

This is a book I will reread many times as I continue on my journey of trying to "get good at wholeheartedly being me." I recommend the book to everyone!

--Mary Todd Young, Franklin, TN
(Mary Todd is a wife, mother, grandmother, Sunday School teacher, writer, music teacher, hostess/cook extraordinaire, and friend. CSW)

In Getting Good at Being You, Dr. Sybil Waldrop combines excellent research and an enormous amount of common sense and experience to help the reader examine one's self-worth and apply biblical principles which are foundational to loving God, self, and others. This book is a comprehensive source for looking at yourself

as God sees you and looking at how you see yourself and others.

In style and content the book speaks to the general reader and involves the reader to participate through a tool appropriately termed "Your Turn." The writer does not speak to mystify the multitudes, but speaks in clear, concise, understandable language to help the reader move toward a healthy self-worth. I recommend this book as a "by your side" book, one to be reached for again and again.

--Muriel F. Blackwell

Muriel Blackwell who lives in Brentwood, TN did her undergraduate and graduate work in the field of education with majors in English, journalism, and curriculum design. She has taught in public schools, college, and seminaries, with her longest tenure being at The Cnadian Southern Baptist Seminary where she taught in the field of education. She was director of preschool and children's curriculum publishing for a denominational publishing house for fifteen years before retiring. She is an author of books, musical dramas for children, and curriculum for children and teachers.

LIFE-CHANGING!

Your book, Getting Good at Being You, continues to challenge me even though I have read it on several occasions. One of the great opportunities that we as ministers have is for us to grow in our love relationship with God, so that we may be transformed more and more into Christlikeness. This is not only a personal challenge, but is also a responsiblity that we have to all those to whom, and with whom, we seek to minister.

Getting Good at Being You has been one of the most useful tools in my own spiritual pilgrimage. It is a great resource as I strive to lead others to reach the potential God has given them ". . .so that we may present everyone perfect (mature/complete) in Christ" (Col.1:28).

--James Long, Minister of Education and Outreach
First Baptist Church, Trussville, AL

Your book is not only a book that I find joy in but that I feel myself growing as I read and meditate on the message. I'm grateful to you for your guidance for me through the words of your wonderful book.

--Florrie Anne Lawton, retired national consultant of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources). For thirty years she has taught babies at church and nurtured their parents and teachers.

The revised edition has a chapter "Face Problems, Expect Opportunities" with a subtitle "Dancing in the Dark" which relates the author's experience of caring for her husband who had clinical depression for several years. This chapter can be a help to those who are spouses or caregivers of those with depression. The article was written at the request of The Journal of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill and was printed in a special issue for spouses of the mentally ill.

I discovered that the revised edition is just as exciting and uplifting as it was the first time I read it. I loaned my original copy to a client whom I was counseling and it was not returned. Until the original version went out of print, I gave the book to people, identified as Christian, who came to me for counseling with a mental, emotional or spiritual problem. I am thankful that the book is available again so that I can once again make it a part of the healing process for people who are hurting or just want to make a positive turn in their lives.

I am proud to share with you that C. Sybil Waldrop is my sister and only sibling. She finished high school when I completed the fourth grade. We saw each other and communicated by phone or letter on rare occasions over many years. In 1973 Sybil came to Washington, D.C. to present a workshop and stayed at our house a few nights. We had a wonderful time and became closer than we ever had been. I told her how I resented her bossing me around when I was small and she told me how she resented having to take care of me.
When I read her book, I discovered that many of her ideas and opinions were very close to mine and her favorite authors were among my favorites. This happened without our discussing them or recommending them to each other. Now we communicate several times a week thanks to our mutual love and respect for each other and the miracle of e-mail.

If used properly, Getting Good at Being You (New Revised Edition) can truly be a blessing and help in coping with the trials and joys of life. I highly recommend that you purchase this book, read it, digest it, and let it minister to you.

--Chaplain Paul G. Durbin, Ph.D., retired United Methodist Minister, Director of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Pendleton Memorial Hospital, New Orleans, LA

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And the second important commandment was to love others as much as you love yourself.

Often we do not hear the last part of the second commandment--to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Too often, the Christian community has taught us how to depreciate ourselves. And it has been costly.

Loving ourselves is foundational in loving others and God.

C. Sybil Waldrop gives many wonderful suggestions of how we can learn to love ourselves and get better at being who we are at the same time. Her twelve areas of growth, if followed, will certainly help those who follow them to reach the potential God has for them.

The study helps provides an extra bonus--a tool for group discussion and interaction.

--Leon W. Castle, Free-lance writer, editor and consultant
Recipient of the 2001 Excellence in Christian Education Award from Smyth-Helwys Publishing Company
Nancy B. Castle, Free-lance writer and consultant

Getting Good at Being You is a book that can be read and thoroughly appreciated alone; however, reading and sharing the book can make its messages broader and deeper. Each person can bring his or her own understanding and interpretation to the thought-provoking questions and challenges. Through this book the author brings hope, comfort, and insight through the Scriptures and her own experiences in faith."

--Jewell Wells Nelson. (Author, consultant, teacher, she has spent a career in ministries to children, parents, and teachers throughout her state and nationally.)

Dear Sybil,
I'm a worrier. I have always been a worrier. I grew up in a household of worriers. When I retired eight years ago, I determined to stop unnecessary worryings. First, I sought Scriptures which provide comfort. Next, I sought available resources (including friends who seemed to have the worrywart syndrone licked). Although these resources helped, none seemed to fully free me from unnecessary worrying. When I read your book, I discovered what I knew all along but refused to face up to, that most worries never amount to anything. Those that do can be met head-on in determined, Christ-like, loving ways. If I am to "savor each moment" and experience God's joys in full measure, I must practice (live out) what God has in store for me each moment of each day. In so doing, worrying and other areas that keep one from fully walking with God must be placed in proper perspective but not consume one's life. In your book, page 94, "Accept the Realities of Life," last paragraph, I was and am reminded to be consciously aware of God's great work in our lives. I have underlined this paragraph to reread and heed often. You are a gifted servant and loyal friend. I shall long treasure your book and covenant with God to keep getting better at being me!

---Cosette Baker. (Author, national consultant, and teacher, her life has been devoted to ministering to children, parents, and teachers.)