Overcoming Fear, One Step at a Time

Hello friends,

This past weekend, I faced a fear that truly challenged me. I took a trip with my daughter and daughter-in-law, and we decided to climb Enchanted Rock. We didn’t choose the easy path—we took on the steepest, most difficult trail. The climb up was tough, but I managed. The real challenge, though, came on the way down.

Instead of taking the safer, more familiar route, my daughters decided to go down an uncharted, incredibly steep path. About halfway down, I was gripped by fear—fear of falling, of getting seriously hurt, of not being able to make it down safely. In a moment of panic, I squatted down, thinking it would help if I slid on my bottom. Let me tell you, that was a big mistake. As soon as I started sliding, I lost control. My legs felt weak, and I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to stand back up. There I was, sitting in the middle of a steep rock face, my feet dug in with nothing to brace myself on. The fear was overwhelming.

I knew I had to do something, though, because staying stuck wasn’t an option. So, I took a deep breath, gathered all my strength, and, with everything I had, I managed to stand back up. From there, I kept moving forward, one careful step at a time.

Once I made it down, the relief was overwhelming—but so was the sense of pride. I had done it. And I realized, as I stood there with my daughters, that they were impressed I’d managed to make it, too. I’ll carry that feeling with me forever.

This experience reminded me of the fears I’ve faced in my writing journey. For years, I was paralyzed by the fear of failure, of rejection, of not being good enough to tell my story. When I first self-published From the Piney Woods, I made mistakes that reawakened that fear, leaving me wondering if I was capable of succeeding. Fear of rejection, something I’ve experienced throughout my life, can be paralyzing. It kills dreams before they even have a chance to grow.

But just like that moment on the steep rock face, sitting stuck, feet dug in, I had to find the courage to stand up and keep moving forward. It’s not easy, but staying stuck in fear isn’t an option. Whether it’s the fear of rejection or the fear of falling, the only way forward is one step at a time.

Fear doesn’t have to be the end of the story. In fact, overcoming it is what makes the story worth telling. So, whatever fear you’re facing, I encourage you to take that deep breath, dig your feet in, and stand back up. You’re stronger than you think. And once you reach the other side, you’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Your support means everything. We have officially opened presales of the 2nd edition, there are so many major improvements, so reserve yours now!

With gratitude and courage,

PJ Hamilton