Written by Tammy Mitzka Crawford
Who Stole Your Voice — And How to Take It Back
The Question That Echoes
“Who stole your voice?”
It’s a question we’ve been asking a lot lately — in our groups, on our podcast, and in quiet reflections. First raised by our guest Teresa Dukes, referencing another coach/guest, Paddy Kennedy, it lingers long after the words are spoken.
Was your voice stolen outright, or did fear slowly convince you to set it aside? And here’s the harder question: have you ever silenced someone else? Because when we rob another of their voice, we don’t just quiet words. We strip away confidence, courage, and the ability to live authentically.
Silence doesn’t just hush a moment. It plants seeds of fear — fear of asking questions, fear of speaking values, fear of challenging ideas.
Freedom and Responsibility
We are blessed to live in a place where freedom of speech is not just a right — it’s a gift. Gratitude for that freedom should never fade, because history reminds us how easily it can be lost. But with freedom comes the weight of responsibility.
Are we afraid to use our voices because of how others might label us? Afraid that if we speak openly, we’ll be associated with a particular group, worldview, or opinion? Too often, people hold back not because they lack conviction, but because they fear judgment.
We don’t have to see eye-to-eye on everything to treat each other with respect. Respect isn’t built on agreement — it’s built on recognizing the human being in front of us. When we lose sight of that, we stop seeing people as people and start reducing them to boxes and categories.
And that’s where freedom loses its meaning — when we use it to divide instead of connect.
Freedom, when paired with responsibility, means daring to see beauty in difference. It means having the courage to listen without demanding compliance, to respect without requiring agreement, and to honor another’s right to speak even when it challenges your own.
Ernest Hemingway once said:
“The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.”
This is the paradox of freedom — to use it well requires courage, honesty, and vulnerability. It’s not the easy path, but it’s the path that keeps our voices — and our humanity — alive.
Nature shows us this: a forest thrives only when every tree has room for sunlight.
Think Before You Speak
Words are like seeds. They can plant hope or poison. They can grow into courage or fear.
That’s why it matters not just what we say, but how we say it. Your story, values, and perspective deserve to be heard. Remember, they carry more weight when delivered with thoughtfulness, compassion, and respect.
“If you can’t say something kind, it may be better not to say anything at all.”
When we make fun of others’ beliefs or say mean things about them, it doesn’t just wound the person in the spotlight. It creates fear in the people closest to us — those who wonder if they might be next.
Here’s something else to think about: your posts on social media are a reflection of you. Every comment, photo, and opinion you share is like putting your words on a giant billboard or the front page of a newspaper. The world is reading — so what do you want them to see?
Just as an artist carefully chooses each brushstroke, we must choose words with intention — shaping conversations that inspire rather than destroy.
Be Accountable
Freedom of speech isn’t a free pass. It also means accountability.
Every word you release into the world carries weight. Be willing to own your words, stand by them, or learn from them if they cause harm.
Accountability isn’t about silencing yourself. It’s about speaking with integrity and being mindful of the impact you leave behind.
Think of it like walking a trail. Each footprint leaves a mark. Some fade gently, while others erode the path. Our words are no different — they leave tracks in the hearts of those who hear them.
Listening to Hear
Here’s the truth: most people today don’t really listen. They pause just long enough to plan their reply. They scroll past voices online without absorbing the heart behind the words.
But real listening changes everything.
Listening means opening yourself to another person’s perspective — not to argue, but to understand. It means leaning in, even when the words sting, because that’s often where growth begins.
If something isn’t clear, don’t be afraid to ask. Questions open doors. They aren’t about proving someone wrong — they’re about understanding more. Genuine curiosity shows respect and creates connection, even when perspectives don’t align.
Nature models this perfectly. Rivers listen to the land. They don’t demand the mountain move. Instead, they adapt, curve, and flow. In time, they carve canyons and reshape landscapes. Listening doesn’t weaken you — it transforms you.
And in art, silence is just as powerful as sound. The white space on a canvas or the pause between musical notes gives meaning to what surrounds it. Listening works the same way. It allows courage, connection, and creativity to rise.
When we truly listen, we make others feel seen and valued. And when people feel seen, they are braver about speaking their truth.
A Call to Courage
Courage wears many faces. Sometimes it’s the shaky-voiced “yes” when everything in you wants to say “no.” Other times it’s the bold declaration of your story, even when you fear being judged. Courage is choosing to rise when staying down feels easier.
Courage isn’t always loud. It’s a silent restraint when words would harm more than help. It’s walking away instead of fueling conflict. Like music, silence between notes gives rhythm; without pause, it’s just noise.
Courage also involves asking questions when you don’t understand, rather than pretending you know it all. It’s leaning in with curiosity, admitting you don’t have all the answers, and being willing to learn from others. That kind of courage builds connection, trust, and growth.
And perhaps the hardest form of courage? Being yourself in a world that constantly tells you to be someone else. That means embracing your values, your quirks, your ideas — and daring to stand tall when others try to shrink you.
So yes, speak your truth with boldness. Share your story with conviction. Pause when silence is wiser. Ask when you don’t understand. And above all, have the courage to be your authentic self. Because the world doesn’t need a copy — it needs you.
Nature, Art, and the Voice Within
Sometimes when life gets heavy — when anxiety builds, stress piles up, and a hundred voices tell you what you should be doing — the best thing you can do is step outside and hike.
Recently, a fire broke out on the mountain behind our home. For three weeks, we lived in a constant state of “ready and set.” If the wind shifted, we could lose everything — not just our house, but also the homes of our friends and neighbors.
It was gut-wrenching. Every sound of helicopters and planes overhead brought mixed emotions. Relief that help was on the way. Fear of what their presence meant. Gratitude for the protection. Anxiety over the unknown.
In the middle of that stress, I made a choice people thought was crazy: I hiked every day. I needed the silence, the grounding, the reminder that even when flames threatened, the earth still offered peace. Out there, the noise quieted. The fear softened. The constant “what ifs” were replaced by the steady rhythm of my breath and the crunch of dirt beneath my boots.
Nature gives us back our voice. Amid chaos, it centers us. During storms, it offers calm.
If you want to ground yourself in a simple, powerful way, Earthing — a practice of reconnecting with the earth’s energy. (Utilizing Nature Therapy for Holistic Health) Sometimes the best way to find your voice again is to start by listening to the ground beneath you.
Nature and art together help us rediscover the voice within. They call us back to ourselves, steady our courage, and remind us of what truly matters.
Art works in the same way. The brushstroke, the photograph, the sculpture — they give form to feelings we can’t always speak. They remind us that expression is healing, and creativity is freedom.
Conclusion
Your voice matters. My voice matters. Every voice matters.
The world doesn’t need louder noise — it needs authentic voices that heal, inspire, and build bridges.
So the next time you wonder, “Who stole my voice?” remember: you have the power to reclaim it. And when you do, you’ll help others find theirs too.
Let’s choose to listen and speak with courage. Let’s grow a culture where voices rise, strong and free—so together, we build a world where authenticity thrives and every voice can make a difference.
References & Sources
- Brown, B. (2012). Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Gotham Books.
- Palmer, P. (2004). A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life. Jossey-Bass.
- Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
- National Institute of Mental Health. “The Power of Listening: Building Trust and Connection.” (NIMH.gov).
- Unlocking Freedom in Nature and Art — https://unlockingfreedominnatureandart.com
