Understanding the Softer Side of Courage

Courage was my word of the year in 2024.
It guided me in ways I never expected and supported me through moments both fierce and tender. It was there in the decisions that shook me to my core, the leaps I took before I felt fully ready and the stillness I learned to embrace rather of running away from something or toward the next thing.

I know courage will continue to be my quiet companion, unfolding in beautiful and unexpected ways. This year, another word emerged—one that felt like the natural evolution of courage. Ignite.

Courage led me here. To this word. To this fire. To this moment. To sharing these musings.

By definition, courage is the ability to do something that frightens you; strength in the face of pain, grief or uncertainty. 

When we think of courage, we often picture warriors, soldiers, heroes, or athletes—figures of strength, resilience, and determination facing adversity. We imagine grand acts of bravery—rushing into battle, standing against injustice, or breaking records. While inspiring, these images can overshadow the quieter, everyday courage that exists in a whisper just as much as in a roar.

Courage is found in the mother who fiercely protects and nurtures her children.
The woman who breaks free from societal expectations to pursue her dreams no matter how wild they might be. Its in the survivor who rebuilds her life after hardship. It's in the caregiver who shows up daily with love and patience, the leader who speaks up for what’s right and the young girl who dares to be herself in a world that tells her otherwise. It’s in the soul who keeps going despite uncertainty, who wakes up every morning and chooses to try again, and again and again.

I just got home from gathering with some of my dearest soul sisters in an initiation circle—the first womens circle of 2025. Together, we called ourselves into deeper ways of being, a sacred initiation into the unfolding journey ahead. 
The moment I stepped into the space, I could feel a shift. Arrows of intention filled the air—candles flickering, soft music playing in the background. We sat in circle, our hearts open, our hands resting gently on our laps or interwoven with those beside us.

This gathering was symbolic of the ‘fires’ we walk through in the jungle of life—the challenges, transitions and rebirths that require courage not just in moments of external challenge but in the intimate, internal spaces of our hearts.

I connected with my breath my body responded in ways that words could never fully capture. These words are only a glimpse of my experience throughout this initiation There were moments where my breath caught in my throat, when the story of another sister mirrored my own so deeply that it felt like looking into a reflection I had long avoided. There were moments where my heart expanded, warmth flooding through my chest as I witnessed the sheer power of vulnerability.

There were also moments of release—tears slipping down cheeks, hands grasping hands, laughter breaking through like sunlight after a storm. I felt my heart beating a little faster—not from fear, but from the depth of what was unfolding. There was a tenderness in my chest, an ache that was both old and new, the recognition of something profound yet unspoken.

In that sacred space, we shared our stories of courage—both the bold and the quiet. We spoke of the times we chose to make hard decisions, let go of old patterns, step into the unknown or simply trust ourselves when the path ahead was unclear.The space was free from judgment and comparison, no need to perform strength or perfection—only raw, unfiltered truth. 

In all these moments courage was not just about battle cries and grand gestures—it was about soft resilience, about standing in our truth even when it shakes, about showing up authentically even when it feels vulnerable.

There was a moment unlike any other—a threshold created in noble silence. As a sisterhood, we laid a sacred path before us, adorned with flowers, rose petals, leaves, and other pieces of nature, each carrying deep personal significance. One by one, each woman stepped forward, fully witnessed, fully honored, wrapped in unconditional love.
A line was consciously curated in the energy of our gathering—a moment of stepping forward, a moment of intention, a moment of ignition. We crossed that threshold, not just as women in a circle, but as women choosing to ignite something deeper within ourselves.

As I stepped over the threshold, I carried a powerful mantra that I know will continue to guide me: “I will give myself more grace and patience, knowing I have a unique way of growing—just like nature.” The earth does not rush the unfolding of its seasons; the flowers do not question the rhythm of their bloom, the trees never question the strength of the roots knowing they are supported. Each petal, each leaf, each root emerges in its own perfect timing, trusting the wisdom woven into its being. I choose to honour my own timing, my own unfolding. It takes courage to trust this process—to release the pressure to be further along, to silence the voice that says I must bloom on demand. Instead, I will embrace the ebb and flow, the pauses and expansions, the stillness and the bloom, knowing that just like nature, I am always becoming.
True courage is not in forcing growth but in allowing it, in surrendering to the beauty of my own unfolding.

I left this first circle of 2025 reminded of the many fires I have walked through in my own life—the moments where I chose to summon courage, open my heart and surrender rather than fight—my heart filled with love from all around, my body lighter as if shedding a weight I was unaware I was carrying, my mind quiet and at peace, and my soul—my wild, wonderful and untamed soul—feeling more alive than ever.

Courage has shown up in my life in so many ways, both seen and unseen

🐆 It was in launching The Wild Woman Gateway, pouring my heart into creating a space for women to reconnect with their intuition, courage and authenticity.

🐆 It was in sitting in noble silence for the first time at a retreat, allowing myself to be fully present without the need to fill the space with words.

🐆 It was in stepping into my first ice bath—heart pounding, breath shaky—only to discover the incredible power of surrender and the power of the human breath. It is now a weekly ritual, a reminder of my own resilience.

🐆 It was in guiding a client through a powerful breakthrough, witnessing the shift in their energy, the spark of awareness glistening in their eyes, and their heart opening.

🐆 It was in saying no to an opportunity that looked good on paper but felt wrong in my heart and gut.

🐆 It was in taking a deep inhale before a challenging Vision Therapy session, centering myself so I could hold space for my patient and myself with clarity and calm.

🐆 It was in choosing to swim under the stars, feeling the cool water of a hidden river embrace me, surrendering to the vastness of the night.

🐆 It was in being the first to step onto the dancefloor, moving intuitively,  freely, unapologetically and in being the last to leave, letting the music carry me into musical heaven.

🐆 It was in walking an unknown path in nature, trusting my feet to lead me, feeling the quiet wisdom of the earth with each step.

🐆 It was in the first time I guided a client through a powerful breakthrough, witnessing the shift in their energy, the spark of realisation in their eyes.

🐆 It was in standing before the ocean, arms open, whispering my intentions to the waves, knowing they would carry them far and wide.

🐆 It was in choosing to take a solo adventure, stepping out of my comfort zone, allowing curiosity and courage to be my compass.

🐆 It was in picking up a book that changed my perspective entirely, letting its words settle deep into my soul.

🐆 It was in the moments of silence, sitting with my own thoughts, no distractions, no rush—just being.

🐆 It was in choosing adventure over hesitation, intuition over logic, wildness over predictability—again and again and again.

🐆 It was in holding the hand and heart of a client as they shared their story, letting them know, without words, that they were truly seen and heard.

🐆 It was in dancing barefoot on the sand at a special beach, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath me, knowing that this—this wild freedom—is home.

🐆 It was in standing at the edge of something new—heart racing, soul trembling, heart almost beating out of my chest—and choosing to step forward anyway.

These moments didn’t make headlines or appear dramatic or world-changing in an obvious way, yet they were profoundly transformative, shaping who I am and deepening my ability to trust, to love and to be fully present in my life.

These are the moments where I meet myself—the raw, real, ever-evolving version of me—and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Life is made up of these moments—the ones where we meet ourselves, over and over again, in compassion, in courage, in love, in truth. 

Children exhibit incredible courage in ways that often go unnoticed—a quiet bravery that deserves more recognition.

Consider the child walking into a new school for the first time, nervous yet determined to make friends, or the child facing a fear of the dark, bravely turning off the light and trusting they are safe. When they fall while learning to ride a bike, they get back up and try again, showing persistence despite setbacks. They express emotions freely and honestly, displaying a courage many adults struggle to embrace. Children remind us that courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about feeling fear and moving forward anyway.

Here are three inspiring lessons children teach us about courage:

 Facing new experiences such as starting a new activity, meeting new people, or learning a new skill, children continuously step into the unknown, demonstrating quiet, unassuming courage.

 Expressing emotions freely through their openness and vulnerability, in a world that often discourages emotional expression, is a testament to their inner strength.

Persevering through challenges each time they fall and get back up, they show resilience, determination, and the essence of true courage.

And women—oh, the quiet yet un wavering courage of women.

Women embody a softer yet deeply powerful side of courage in their daily lives that holds immense strength. Their courage is delicately and delightfully woven into the fabric of their existence. Their quiet determination allows them to juggle and balance multiple roles, care for loved ones, and show up fully in both personal and professional spaces. It takes courage to balance societal expectations while staying true to their own dreams, desires and sense of self. Whether nurturing families, building careers or pursuing passions, women consistently demonstrate resilience, adaptability and perseverance.

Their bravery is evident in the moments they advocate for themselves and others, using their voices to challenge injustices, break barriers, and pave the way for future generations—demonstrating courage through their unwavering advocacy. In adversity, they show strength through grace, choosing compassion over conflict, patience over frustration, love over hate, and hope over despair.

Their courage may not always be loud or dramatic, but it is steadfast, unwavering and profoundly impactful. They balance responsibilities as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, professionals, caregivers and friends, maintaining a sense of self while carrying the weight of multiple roles. They stand up for their rights and the rights of others, fighting for equality, advocating for social justice, and supporting those they love.

Women also display immense strength as they embrace vulnerability—asking for help, admitting when things are tough and recognising that true courage lies in surrender as much as in perseverance. Through personal, professional and societal challenges with grace and determination as they embody resilience in adversity, showing that true bravery is not just about enduring but about their ability to bounce back and rise again, over and over.

Their courage may not always be loud or dramatic, but it is steadfast, unwavering and deeply impactful.

To recognise and honour the softer side of courage, we must broaden our understanding of what it means to be courageous.

Here are a few ways to cultivate and celebrate this softer yet profound form of bravery.

Acknowledge everyday bravery by celebrating the small acts of courage in your life and those around you, recognising the strength in showing up, embracing vulnerability and persevering through challenges.

Encourage vulnerability by allowing yourself and others to express emotions and seek help when needed, recognising that embracing vulnerability is a profound act of courage.

Practice self-compassion by being kind to yourself, especially in difficult times, remembering that true courage lies in trying again after failure and moving forward despite setbacks. Remember the letters in fail remind us of our first attempt in learning.

Support others by offering encouragement to those who show quiet courage, recognizing that acknowledging their bravery can strengthen their resolve and inspire those around them.

Reflect on personal growth by acknowledging the quiet courage within your journey, recognising the strength it takes to navigate everyday life with resilience and grace.

This evenings initiation circle reminded me that courage is not just about fire and fight—it is also about trust, about surrender, about soft strength. It is about standing in the embers of our experiences and knowing we will rise, over and over again.

Courage does not always roar.

Sometimes, courage is in the whisper at the end of the day, in the breath before the next step, in the choice to love, to heal, to believe. It is in the quiet moments, in the soft spaces, in the steady hands that reach out in care.

As Mary Anne Radmacher soulfully shares, "Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’"

This evening I was gracefully reminded me that courage is not just about fire and fight—it is also about trust, about surrender, about soft strength. It is about standing in the embers of our experiences and knowing we will rise, over and over again.

Courage has led me to a new word.
Ignite.

Ignite the fire within.

Ignite the path ahead.

Ignite the courage that is both fierce and soft, both bold and quiet.

What are your wild, courageous, unforgettable moments?

I invite you to wholeheartedly embrace and celebrate the softer side of courage in yourself and others.

Recognise that your everyday acts of bravery are powerful and worthy of acknowledgment. Walk forward, knowing that every step—even the smallest one—is an act of courage.

If today felt too heavy. If you hesitated, if you questioned yourself, if you judged yourself, I invite you to whisper these words to your heart:

“I will try again tomorrow.”