Setting Intention by Guest Author Natasha Coco Benitez
In the morning when my alarm goes off, I roll from side to side in my cozy sheets, stretch my legs out long and point my toes. I gently rub my belly and breathe deeply. I wipe my eyes and drink the water sitting on my nightstand before my feet hit the ground. I walk to the window, slide the plush white curtains to the edge, and allow my eyes to get their first glimpse of the morning sky. Inhale & Exhale. Some days it’s cloudy, most days it’s bright! As my pupils adjust, the full-bodied tree greets me with an enthusiastic, “good morning Coco, nice to see you again!” I smile and look at the birds as they flutter from leaf to leaf with so much energy. A small part of me is envious of them.
Photo by Vivek Doshi on Unsplash
They fly wherever they decide. They choose to travel solo or with their buddies from tree to tree all day long with not a care in the world. No bills to pay. No deadlines. No meetings to get to. Just free.
As I pause and think about their freedom, I realize I’m free too. I create my destiny, I determine the type of day I’m going to have—and it all starts with my mindset.
My time with nature isn’t simply a morning routine anymore, it is who I am. A while ago, I made a vow that before my eyes look at any screen, they must first connect with the sky. The sky is vast, it’s beautifully overwhelming, and it reminds me how small the tasks of the day really are. This moment with the sky moves my heart to feel lighter, my mind more clear, and my energy awake.
So I ask: What is a healthy morning habit that brightens your day? If you don’t have one, what can you create that will be sustainable, easy, fun and bring you joy each morning you rise? It’s never too late to come up with one!
-In health & happiness
Coach Coco
According to Natasha, why small moments matter: Small moments matter because piled up throughout a single day, you give yourself a chance to make it a great day, over and over again!
Bio: Natasha Coco Benitez was 278 lbs at her heaviest weight, uncomfortable in her body and saying “no” to many things she wanted to say YES to. That was then. Today, Natasha is a health & life coach helping professionals embrace their personal power, by phasing out habits of overthinking, over-stressing and feeling stuck and coaching them towards a stronger mind and healthier body. In addition to private coaching, she delivers workplace wellness workshops, travels as an influential health & wellness speaker, hosts fitness retreats and coaches three spin classes week! Natasha lives by the phrase: “Speak what you seek, until you see what you say!”
She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and holds her Masters of Art in Teaching from American University in Washington, DC. You can find her online via her website: www.coachwithcoco.com and on Instagram: @CoachwithCoco or Twitter: @NatashaCocoBen1
Facebook: @CoachwithCoco
Brave Tutu Note: I met Coco at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in DC. We instantly connected at the “Texas” table at the Parade of the States. I was drawn to Natasha’s authentic energy. She was passionate about books, writing and Brave Tutu’s mission of “taking courage in delight”. I could tell her days were filled with finding “power in small moments” and we chatted about her career goals; to encourage others discover their strength. I’m so grateful Coco wanted to share her insight and perspective with Brave Tutu!
Remember,
Your Brave Tutu (You’re brave, too-too!)
-Take courage in delight. Discover power in small moments.