Happiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice

In celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation. Mindfulness and meditation teacher Criss Cuervo invites you to reflect on your history, heritage, and connection to your ancestors. How To Do This Practice: 1. **Find a Comfortable Position**: Sit in a relaxed yet alert posture, either on a cushion or chair. Gently lower your gaze or close your eyes if that feels comfortable. 2. **Focus on Your Breath**: Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale. Allow yourself to transition from your daily activities into this moment of reflection. 3. **Acknowledge Your Accent**: Bring awareness to the way you speak, recognizing that your voice carries your history, culture, and personal journey. 4. **Repeat Self-Compassion Phrases**: Silently or aloud, repeat affirmations such as, *“my accent makes me unique,” “my accent carries my story,” “my accent connects me to my ancestors.”* 5. **Place a Hand on Your Heart**: If it feels right, gently place a hand on your heart, offering yourself warmth and kindness as you continue to breathe deeply. 6. **Close with Gratitude**: Take a final deep breath, sending appreciation to yourself, your ancestors, and the uniqueness of your voice before gently opening your eyes. **Today’s Happiness Break host:** CRISS CUERVO is a mindfulness and meditation teacher, Bridging Differences Coordinator at the Greater Good Science Center, and author of *PERTENÆCER: Eight-Week Mindfulness and Meditation Training and Practices for Latinx Immigrants in the United.*  Learn more about Criss Cuervo here: https://tinyurl.com/4npjwn6m Read her book here: https://tinyurl.com/3byby84b **Related Happiness Break episodes:** A Meditation on Original Love: https://tinyurl.com/5u298cv4 Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5 Where Did You Come From: https://tinyurl.com/2y9uyjj6 **Related Science of Happiness episodes:** How to Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc How to Tune Out The Noise: https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh  How to Feel Better About Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/42fn62a2 Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.  Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap *Transcription:* *https://tinyurl.com/5fdce47a*