Happiness Break: A Meditation on the Uniqueness of Your Voice

Apr 3, 2025

Criss Cuervo, a mindfulness teacher and author, dives into the beauty of our unique voices and accents. He leads a self-compassion meditation that helps listeners celebrate their histories and cultural backgrounds. By reflecting on the stories carried in our voices, Criss promotes self-acceptance and resilience. Affirmations like 'my accent makes me unique' encourage deeper connections to ancestry and identity, wrapping up the session with a heartfelt moment of gratitude.

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Embracing the Uniqueness of Your Voice

00:00 • 3min

Embracing the Uniqueness of Your Voice

03:13 • 5min

Embrace the beauty of your accent in this self-compassion meditation that guides you in a reflection of your history, heritage, and connection to your ancestors.

How To Do This Practice:

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.
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.
Acknowledge Your Accent: Bring awareness to the way you speak, recognizing that your voice carries your history, culture, and personal journey.
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.”
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.
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.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.

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

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/kv5ycj3v