Hello ,

Now I can articulate my Theory of Brave, I’ve started having a play with different angles. Emerging from different conversations are some common underlying assumptions that often prevent us from choosing to be brave.

Over the next few weeks I’m going to be looking at these assumptions that we turn into our own myths, as well as look at how to measure our own Brave Scales to help us turn our fear into hope, and our loss into possibility.

Our Attitude to Life Is Based on Assumptions

What I’ve found is the scales often tip based on the assumptions we hold, not on objective reality. And these assumptions can then turn into our own ‘unbreakable’ myths. We hold these beliefs without ever testing them. And these untested assumptions keep the scales weighted toward fear and loss.

But what if we could test these assumptions with grace, hope, and possibility?

1. "Everyone else knows what they're doing" - They don't. The difference is in how we show up whilst not knowing.
2. "I don’t have a voice (that matters)" - Through our experiences, we all have a voice. The question is how to find it and whether we're brave enough to use it when we do.
3. "They have more power than me" - No one is inherently more powerful. They're simply holding the power you've given them.
4. "The best years are behind me" - Your most meaningful contribution could be ahead, if you're willing to step into the unknown.
5. "I can't... I'm too old/tired/stuck" - We're far more capable than we think. We just need to test the assumption.
6. "I don't have permission to want more" - You can't pour from an empty cup. Prioritising yourself isn't selfish - it's strategic.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be exploring these stories that keep brilliant people, well, stuck.

Why This Matters Now

A year ago, I wrote about the fact we were moving into a new era. We’ve moved from an era where we depended on the status quo - into one of destroyers and chaos. And don’t we know it. The old rules are breaking down, and grounded, wise leaders are desperately needed to help us navigate and be a network of lighthouses for those who are struggling.

We need people who can hold space for uncertainty. We need people with wisdom to speak truth to power. We need those who've lived through complexity to show others it's navigable.

But we can't do any of that if we're stuck.

The more of us who are brave in our own lives, the more we can change our conversations, our influence.

That is how we change the world.

The Truth Is…

You have at least one more meaningful contribution left in you, whatever that looks like. But you won't discover it by waiting for certainty, permission, or the perfect moment.

You'll discover it by learning to dance with the scales - by building enough hope that you can hold the fear, by seeing enough possibility that you can accept the loss.

By choosing to be brave, even when you don't know how it will turn out.

As ever, here’s to your brilliance

Kirsty x

P.S. Marathon training update. My brave scale this week stays at Hope 5/10 and Love 5/10. I have had to miss several runs as am still not back to being 100%. So, I still have the fear that now I have to take a break that I won’t get back into it. But I have a running partner who is waiting for me to get back on the road, and lots and lots of support. So, I’m in the balance for my marathon.

What are your brave scales this week?

If you'd like to support Down's Syndrome Scotland or join me on the run on 20th March, drop me a message.

P.p.s And if you’d like to join us at The Brave Collective for your own brave journey - we have a space waiting for you.