OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "SPEAR Your Fear" by Daniel D. Matthews.]

Has there ever been a time when you simply desired to let go of your fears? Maybe it's the dark, public speaking, or even the ocean. It is natural to experience these fears and others; however, when your fears prevent you from living your life, it is time to take a step back and reexamine things. SPEAR Your Fear by Daniel D. Matthews is a simple, yet extremely useful and applicable guide for those who want to finally overcome said fears.

The book begins with a young girl named Amy G. Dala and how one day her once positive outlook of life irrevocably changed due to learning a new fear. "Amy" actually turned out to be the amygdala part of the brain that causes us to react a certain way under dangerous situations. With this attention-grabbing story, I was hooked right from the first page. Matthews then cleverly sectioned his book into the 5-letter acronym, S.P.E.A.R., to describe how one can spear his/her fears.

Study: Study what, when, why, and how is the fear being triggered.
Perspective: “Will it kill me?” is used as a way of attempting to gain perspective on the level of concern.
Envision: Envision yourself overcoming these fears. Be positive that you can!
Action: Make a realistic and achievable action plan to successfully overcome your fear.
Reward: Due to all of your hard work, reward your successes, no matter how small or big they may seem.

The inviting writing style helped me become comfortable in opening up to the things that I'm afraid of and insecure about. I can openly admit in being afraid of swimming, and now I have more confidence in myself that one day I will be able to swim. Take this past weekend, for example, I was able to dunk my head (once) in the ocean! This little success is a very big deal for me. In other words, I was inspired by Matthews' words and his own ability to overcome his fear of the dark to assist me in conquering mine.

Aside from deep breathing, relaxing, and using ImagineCation (imagining your perfect vacation to soothe your anxieties and negativity that might hold you back from overcoming your fears), I will be taking away the 'Whisper Catcher' technique to add more positivity in my life. I am going to catch those positive words, phrases, and sentences that are given to me and write them down to remember I can accomplish anything I want, including my fear of swimming! What a great tool to use with children, as well!

There are not enough words to describe how wonderfully helpful this well-written and well-researched text is for me. Without a doubt, SPEAR Your Fear deserves a 4 out of 4 stars rating. I highly recommend this read to those who have fears that they want to overcome or even a guide to parents in helping their children to conquer their own fears.

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SPEAR Your Fear
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Like hsimone's review? Post a comment saying so!

Thank you for the excellent review. I am glad you found the book helpful.

Thank you for your kind words, gali! It was and is still helpful. So glad that I picked it up!

Great review! The book sounds interesting and useful. I love that you were inspired to conquer your swimming fears by dunking your head in the ocean. Bravo!

Thank you, bookowlie! It was such a great, inspiring, and friendly-to-use read that I am very grateful to have been able to read and review it.

Next step - dunk my head in the water several times with my hubby close by, but not use him as a physical support (since I was holding onto to him this past time)!

Thanks again, bookowlie!

The book sounds like the perfect fit for you!

Thank you! I think so too!

What a great review! You really made me want to read it! Good luck in overcoming your fear of swimming, you're on the right track I am afraid of talking on the phone and my husband always has to push me to do it!

Thank you, Rachaelamb1! It was a great read! Also, thank you for your support about my fear of swimming. Fingers crossed!

Good luck with your fear of talking on the phone. I have a slight fear of this, as well!

Very good review, thank you. I must say by the cover of the book I would have never expected this. Great job.

Thank you, Amh73090! I know! The cover seems like it would be for a children's book! Very user-friendly, though. Thank you again!

Sounds like a helpful and encouraging book. I have stage fright and I'm scared of rejection and failing. This seems like a book I should read Great job on the review. Congratulations to Daniel D. Matthews on such an obviously well written book.

Thank you, kimmyschemy06! This book would be great for those fears, thank you for sharing them. It was very well-written and a friendly/inviting read.