Unhappiness, says bestselling author Harriet Lerner, is fueled by three key emotions: anxiety, fear, and shame. They are the uninvited guests in our lives. When tragedy or hardship hit, they may become our constant companions.

With stories that are sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking, Lerner takes us from "fear-lite" to the most difficult lessons the universe sends us. We learn:

-how to have the courage to speak, act, and show up when we are anxious and afraid

-how to deal with the fear of not being good enough, and the shame of feeling essentially flawed and inadequate

-how to stay calm and clear in an anxious, crazy workplace

-how to manage fear and despair when things fall apart

-how "positive thinking" helps -- and harms

-how to be our best and bravest selves, even when we are terrified.

No one signs up for anxiety, fear and shame, but we can't avoid them, either. As we learn to respond to these three key emotions in new ways, we can live more fully and move into the future with courage, clarity, humor, and hope. Fear and Other Uninvited Guests shows us how.