Review Detail

Courage: Overcoming Fear and Igniting Confidence

By Debbie Ford

In the initial chapter of her book, Ford states, “I promise that your life will alter when you see what has been hidden from your conscious view. When you take the time to explore your behavior without self-deception or illusion, you will be able to clean up the past and glimpse the future you long for.” That is quite a big promise to make, but does she live up to it? The answer is yes, and in such a way as to make the journey as painless and inspiring as possible.

Each chapter is interspersed with Ford’s real life experiences; many of them painful, embarrassing, and at one time debilitating. However, this neat little guidebook is not merely an autobiographical account of the author’s own transition from fear to self-confidence, it is also a guiding hand for anyone else who wishes to make the same journey. She supplies codes for “fearless warriors” who wish to leave their personal baggage behind. From “divine confidence” and a “loving heart” to “inspired vision” and “supreme beauty,” Ford shows the reader that is possible to break the bondage of low self-esteem and to step into the bright sunlight of a new day feeling confident and full of self-confidence.

Through deep introspection, self-analysis, and understanding, Ford has developed a systematic method that is available for anyone who has the courage to take one step at a time, to ask themselves some probing questions, and to give themselves honest answers. This is a good starting point for examining personal issues that you may be reluctant to face, and offers the guidance and support to take you all the way to clarity and confirmation, if you have the courage to push yourself forward.