Unmute Your Soul: Release Your Inner Happiness

The Rhythm of Peace

Over the past several months, a gentle but powerful movement has quietly woven itself into the fabric of our busy lives. This “Walk for Peace” features monks who travel by foot, beginning in Fort Worth, Texas, and heading toward Washington, D.C. Their approach is not loud or attention-seeking; instead, their message of hope, peace, and kindness is communicated through the simple, steady rhythm of their journey. While the world rushes by amidst noise and distraction, these monks progress at the pace of the soul, reminding us that there is value in moving mindfully and intentionally.

The Courage to Be Unmuted

Undertaking such a journey demands more than physical endurance—it calls for an authentic connection with one’s inner self. It requires knowing your “reason for being” so intimately that you can live free from the burden of external expectations. Initially, I intended to write about “finding your purpose,” but purpose often feels like a distant, weighty goal—a mountain looming ahead, suggesting we must conquer it to be worthy. Instead, let’s focus on something more immediate: letting your inner happiness speak. Unmuting your soul is an act of bravery. It asks us to step beyond our comfort zone and examine the parts of ourselves we’ve kept silent in order to feel safe or blend in.

Beyond "Rental Happiness"

We often hear about “living your best life,” but this phrase has become linked to brief, curated moments—a sunset on a lavish trip or a perfectly staged celebration. These instances represent “rental happiness”—fleeting experiences that we visit, but cannot reside in. True, unmuted happiness is not an occasional destination; it is the internal frequency we allow to guide us each day.

The Sobering Mirror

It can be confronting, even painful, to reflect on major life choices and realize they were influenced by someone else’s perspective. Many of us look into the routine of our daily lives and are greeted by the expectations of others. Our journeys get redirected because we follow a map drawn by a parent, an employer, or a society that does not truly understand our hearts. Expectations abound—what job we should hold, the salary we ought to earn, how we should dress or speak—all these outside expectations can silence our souls.

The Weight of Outside Expectations

o unmute your soul is to reclaim your internal compass. It is the sobering, yet liberating, realization that happiness isn't a treasure you have to hunt for; it’s a frequency you finally stop suppressing.

Begin by auditing your noise. List every obligation that starts with "I should."

·       Should I climb the corporate ladder?

·       Should I stay in the city—or finally move abroad?

·       Should I follow the traditional path to a degree?

Now, look past the noise. What brings you genuine, effortless joy? Perhaps your soul isn't craving that next promotion; perhaps it’s craving the freedom to turn a quiet passion into a new reality. Choosing joy over "shoulds" requires a fierce kind of courage. It means setting boundaries with those who only know your "muted" version and being brave enough to let go of connections that require you to stay small. Your authentic self is not a project to be built—it is a masterpiece to be revealed.

Questions to Unmute Your Soul

1. The Silence Test: If you stopped trying to meet everyone else’s expectations for just twenty-four hours, what is the very first thing you would do differently?

2. Rental vs. Ownership: Think of the last time you felt truly happy. Was that feeling tied to an external event, or did it arise from a moment when you felt completely yourself?

3. The Muted Note: What is one passion or personality trait you have “turned down the volume on” because you feared it wouldn’t be understood?