Fear makes you do, think, and feel crazy things. Seriously, you guys. Of all the emotions, it's the one that messes with our minds the most. Like two weeks ago, for example, I began to read through my upcoming book and thought, "OMG! What the hell am I doing?! Is this complete junk?!" But, before I went off on a tizzy, I took a breath and set the manuscript down. (HINT: Don't feed the fear monster, but do feel free to pet it.) When my husband got home, I told him what I was thinking. He told me I was crazy--reality check. Then, when I felt ready to investigate my fear-based overreaction, I read through my next two manuscripts slowly and thoroughly. Our conversation proceeded as follows: Me: Holy shit! I'm having so many light bulbs from reading this...about myself. (Whoa). Hubs: Well, ya. That's why you wrote it, you silly goose. Me: I love you. (He always mirrors back exactly what I need to hear--even when I don't like it). Hubs: You made me like this. Me: You're welcome. ;) Moral of the story: Everything is happening for you. When you can work through your fears to realize that a part of you is scared, that it is okay, and that it requires tenderness and understanding--like a scared child in a thunderstorm--a new perspective is available. It's important to remember not to ignore the fear. Don't stuff it down and pretend it's not there. Trust me, that'll just make it bigger. Don't feed it either by adding to the fear-frenzied inner dialogue inside your head...nope, just don't do it. Rather, see it as a call for love and understanding from within. Lean in. Give it a hug. Embrace it, as it surely has something valuable to share. Then ask yourself: who would I be if I didn't have this fear?