Joy From Fear

Book excerpt: “A tremendously empowering book of reflection and discovery . . . invites the reader to engage in practices that nurture the joy and fulfillment of living.” —Michael White, PhD If you find yourself running away from fear, you’re running in the wrong direction. Fear demands that we move toward it, face it, and hear its messages. When we fail to do this, the price is high—chronic anxiety, sleeplessness, damaged relationships, skyrocketing pharmaceutical use, and more. In her enlightening book Joy from Fear, clinical psychologist Dr. Carla Marie Manly explains that fear is not the enemy we thought it was; fear, when faced with awareness, is the powerful ally and best friend we all need. Dr. Manly’s work is firmly based in science but goes far beyond presenting the dry facts. Joy from Fear offers page after page of real-life examples, insights, easy-to-use tools, and life-changing exercises. Coining the term transformational fear, Dr. Manly illuminates the importance of embracing fear’s messages for a transformed life filled with freedom and lasting happiness. “She shows a way, clearly and with certainty, to shift from fear that can tear a life apart to reimagining the role of fear in life.” —Thomas Moore, New York Times–bestselling author of Care of the Soul “An incomparable guidebook for those who wish to achieve lasting mental and emotional transformation.” —Dr. Orchid D. Johnson, PhD, LMFT, LPCC, and Board Certified PTSD Clinician “The concept of ‘transformational fear’ offers a depth of understanding that has been missing . . . Thank you, Dr. Manly, for bringing fear out of the darkness, to its place in the light where it belongs.” —Denise L. Wagner, PsyD, LCSW