Valour, bravery, courage - all different words with the same essence, but what do they mean?  

Valour, for me, means life.  

Whether it's a baby taking their first step or a child starting their first day of school; a teenager facing the prospect of starting university or a young adult taking their first step into the real world; an adult tying a knot with their partner or becoming a parent. Whether it's continuing to live without your loved one or choosing to live another day in the care home, every day you choose to live, you are choosing to be brave.  

These days, it is much easier to put on a mask to fit in with social norms than it is to show the world the real you. How many times do we hear people say “That’s very brave of you”? I know I’ve said it when I see people choosing to break social norms and just be themselves. I realise now it was less about them and more about me. Why can't I just be myself? Fear of judgement comes to mind. “Oh, but what if I get it wrong?” or “What would people say?” The more I discussed this with others, the more I realized I was not alone. Choosing to wear a mask is much easier.