Facing Your Fears is the Path to the Adventure Up Ahead
Fear isn't just an emotion, it's a sophisticated survival mechanism that has kept humans alive for millennia. When our ancestors encountered predators, their brains triggered immediate physiological responses that prepared them to fight or flee from danger.
Today, we rarely face life-threatening situations, yet our brains still respond to perceived threats with the same intensity. That nervousness before a presentation or hesitation at the edge of a high platform?
A few years ago, we had reached the end of watching small pieces of the roof scatter in the lawn, from way above our heads where we couldn’t see the roof damage from ground. Years of scant responses and non descript replies had finally pushed our buttons to a place where we had to make a decision. We needed to see the damage on the roof, but neither one of us had ever ventured up in the sixteen years we’d owned our home.
I told my husband, “I think it’s come down to us going up there!”, which in my husband’s ears was “Honey, YOU have to go up to the roof, haul up shingles, carry the nailer and nails and FIND the damage.” I knew he was uncomfortable with heights; I, though not uncomfortable with them, knew I lacked the strength, the knowledge, the understanding necessary, to repair anything, save for a few hammers or small supplies up the ladder to our second story roof. I told him I’d help him if he’d go up to see what the damage was. I saw real gratitude in his blue eyes and I knew my man and I were going to finally conquer this thing!
After some very strong prayers went up the night before we ventured up the ladder, I climbed up, wide-eyed to see what was above our heads all of these years. My husband was ahead of me and had secured the space prior to my climbing up, so he made sure I not only got topside but walked on the non-slip side of the roof to look around.
I was amazed! We’d made it! And not only had we made it, the roof wasn’t as bad as we thought. We could see the neighborhood from all around and it was GREAT but the roof did need full replacement. My husband charted a one week plan and just me and my husband, both unskilled “roofers” replaced and fully repaired this thing we’d seen others let go and suffer irreparable damage to their homes, all due to fear. Oh, did I fail to mention FAITH? How could I miss this important ingredient. You need to believe you can do with as well.
We felt exhilarated at the end of this adventure! It literally had been a real fear, both of heights and of the roof never getting fixed but once we faced it, it was conquered! Faced with the job estimate of $18k to a DIY of $1200, we knew we’d saved ourselves a boatload of money and of BS.
Never again could a person talk over our heads about this job repair because we’d done it, and we KNEW how to do it going forward. I still, though this is 4 years ago, will never forget the time when we conquered with our God’s help a paralyzing fear that held us captive for many years.
Starting a story you've long dreamed of writing can feel terrifying. Fear whispers that you're not good enough, that your ideas are flawed, that it's too late. But here's the truth: the only way to silence that fear is to begin. Write badly, write bravely, write anyway.
Your story deserves to exist—not perfect, but real. Let go of the pressure to impress and embrace the joy of creating. The first word is the hardest, but it's also the most powerful. Start now, not someday. Your voice is important, and the world is waiting to hear it.
Many famous authors have faced and overcome fear before creating their most iconic works. Here are a few inspiring examples:
I gathered some authors who conquered their fears, to start on the adventure of a lifetime:
We have Steven Pressfield - Before publishing “The War of Art”, Pressfield battled intense self-doubt and procrastination. He describes fear as a compass—pointing toward what matters most.
His mantra: “Resistance will always try to stop you. Do it anyway.”
Next, we have the insanely successful J.K. Rowling Rowling - She wrote “Harry Potter” as a single mother living on welfare. She feared rejection and failure, but she kept writing. Her perseverance turned fear into one of the most beloved literary franchises ever.
Then there’s Elizabeth Gilbert - She is the author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, Gilbert feared she’d never write anything meaningful again. In “Big Magic”, she encourages writers to embrace fear as part of the creative process, not a barrier.
Maya Angelou Angelou once said, “Each time I write a book, every time I face that yellow pad, the challenge is so great.” Despite her fear, she wrote with fierce honesty and became a literary legend.
When confronted with heights, someone might experience vertigo, a disorienting sensation where the world seems to spin. Their knuckles whiten as they grip railings, and they may back away from edges involuntarily.
These reactions aren't weakness; they're your body's ancient protective systems activating. Understanding these responses is the first step toward managing them. By recognizing fear as a physiological process rather than a personal failing, you can begin to observe these sensations with curiosity instead of judgment.
Now, here are a few areas that I call the “BIG FEAR” section.
Public Speaking is the fear of speaking in front of others, them appraising you, it paralyzes many, yet gradual exposure (speaking to small groups, then larger ones) works just like climbing progressively higher.
Start by speaking up in small meetings before tackling the conference stage.
I was going to add FEAR of Spiders but I've left it out because, well, it's a huge fear of mine but I've had to deal with them but it's not a fear that I've conquered so it wouldn't be right for me to list it as if it's just a done deal. lol
I don't have the fear of being in a social situation but I do understand that it is real. When I was a teen I was so afraid of being around others my age, but through prayer, reading self help manuals on anxiety and just facing my peers, it's now behind me.
I would encourage you to journal your progress as you can come back to see how far you've moved forward in life. No one is stagnant, though you might think you are. You are either moving forward or backward. A journal will help document this activity in your life as you can celebrate successes.
Consider keeping a "fear journal" to track your experiences, noting triggers, physical sensations, and successful coping strategies. This self-awareness becomes a powerful tool for recognizing patterns and celebrating progress.
Fear and possibility always exist side by side; you cannot reach for one without encountering the other. Throughout human history, every meaningful advancement, both personal and collective, has required stepping through fear toward something valuable on the other side.
Whether you're contemplating that first step onto a ladder, considering a tandem skydive, or facing an entirely different fear, remember that courage isn't the absence of fear but action in its presence. The momentary discomfort of facing fear is the price of admission to a larger, richer life experience.
Start today with just one small step outside your comfort zone. Notice the fear, acknowledge it, and then gently move forward anyway.
With each step, you'll discover that your capacity for courage grows, your resilience deepens, and the world of possibility expands beyond what you once thought possible.
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield
Your adventure awaits.
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Action/Adventure: August 06, 2025 Issue [#13278]
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