Today, I want to share my experience of stepping into my role as the mayor of Truro. It’s day two, and let me tell you, it’s been a whirlwind. I had this nervous feeling in my stomach before a public meeting, but I pushed through it. I messed up my speech, and you know what? Nobody really cared. What really matters is that we all face our fears and step up to make a difference, no matter how messy it gets. I also dive into the idea of reconnecting with our inner child, reminding us to embrace joy and curiosity as we navigate life. So, let’s chat about how we can keep that seven-year-old spirit alive while tackling the challenges ahead.

Day 2 of being #MayorOfTruro, I wanted to share a podcast of how I'm feeling. And I am really feeling alive as if I am that 7-year-old child again with the wisdom and experience of life.

Stepping into the role of mayor in Truro, Cornwall has been a wild ride for me. Just two days in, I woke up with that uneasy feeling in my stomach, probably something I ate. The thought of speaking in front of everyone at a public meeting was nerve-wracking. But you know what? I pushed through that fear. Sure, I fumbled my speech a few times and felt like everyone was watching, but in reality, nobody cared. People are more interested in seeing us take action than in our slip-ups. It’s about stepping up and making a difference, and that’s what I want to talk about today.

We’re all in this together, and I really believe we’re more alike than we think. Everyone is just trying to improve their lives in their own way, whether that’s through Netflix, food, or other means. It’s important to remember that when we judge others, we’re often looking at parts of ourselves we’re uncomfortable with. Understanding this helps us to be more compassionate and less critical. I also had a chat with a BBC guy about stoicism, and he reminded me of a Carl Jung quote about even the rotten potato sprouting towards the sun. We all have struggles, and it’s those very struggles that connect us.

Today, I’m going into a meeting about neighborhood planning with fellow councillors, and I can’t help but feel like a kid on a school trip. It’s exciting to be involved, even if I’m not sure what to do yet. But that’s okay. Embracing my inner seven-year-old is the key. That childlike wonder and enthusiasm are what we need to approach life with. So, what does your inner child want? Let’s make sure we listen to that voice and incorporate that joy and curiosity into our lives, while also using our grown-up wisdom to guide us. This is a journey, and I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride.

Takeaways:

• Being mayor of Truro is a wild ride, and I feel both excited and terrified.
• Even when I mess up, like during speeches, nobody really cares as much as I do.
• We all share struggles, and it's important to remember that we are all the same.
• Embracing our inner child can help us see the world with wonder and enthusiasm.
• It's okay to feel afraid, but we must step forward and face our fears.
• We should hold each other accountable in our roles, aiming for better service for Truro.