Have you ever spent a long time trying to fit into a shape that just wasn't made for you? We often treat happiness like a destination we can reach by checking off a list of societal expectations, like getting the perfect job or looking a certain way. But Erasmus reminds us that the real summit, the highest point of joy, isn't about achieving something external. It is about the profound moment when we stop performing and finally become comfortable in our own skin. It is the quiet relief of dropping the heavy mask we wear for others.

In our everyday lives, this struggle shows up in so many subtle ways. We might find ourselves staying in a career that drains our spirit because it looks impressive on paper, or we might silence our true opinions just to keep the peace in a group. We spend so much energy trying to curate a version of ourselves that is palatable and polished. We are constantly climbing a mountain of 'shoulds,' hoping that once we reach the top, we will finally feel worthy of being happy. But the view from the top is often lonely if we aren't allowed to be our true selves once we get there.

I remember a dear friend of mine who spent years trying to be the loud, extroverted leader everyone expected her to be. She attended every gala and spoke up in every meeting, yet she always returned home feeling utterly hollow. It wasn't until she embraced her natural, quiet, and observant nature that her eyes truly began to shine. She stopped trying to conquer the mountain of popularity and started tending to the garden of her own introversion. That was the moment her happiness truly bloomed, because she finally gave herself permission to just exist as she is.

As I sit here in my cozy nest, thinking about all the wonderful, unique feathers each of us possesses, I can't help but feel moved by this idea. You don't need to transform into someone else to find joy. You only need to peel back the layers of who you think you should be. Today, I want to gently nudge you to look inward. Is there a part of yourself you have been hiding or suppressing? Try, even if just for a moment, to breathe into that truth and see how much lighter you feel when you stop running from your own heart.