It’s that time of the week again. Below you’ll find my 10 Minute Guided Meditation to kick start your morning (Night owls and early birds alike!) centered and full of all the positive vibes necessary to hit the ground running with good energy!
Everything, good or bad starts in the mind, so why not be intentional about showing ourselves a little love before the day gets underway?
Still trying to figure out if meditation’s right for you? Here’s a link to an article I came across about how it all works: Meditation 101
Tell a friend. Show a friend. Send to a friend! And as always, thanks so much for stopping by! Full guided meditation by yours truly below. Enjoy!
Peace, Love, & Sunshine — Chelsea
Missed Part 1 of the Series?
You can check out Biko Gray’s 15 Minute Guided Meditation here!
So, a while back, I made the declaration to my little sister, Madison, that I was going to do a blog challenge. I didn’t quite know how long I wanted to do it. I wasn’t sure of the theme. All I knew is that life will pass you by if you aren’t intentional about taking it by the reigns.
2016 has been a big year. A really big year. And I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all. That’s where this challenge comes in. This season -the last 4+years- has been such a rollercoaster. With that in mind, I knew I wanted to be intentional about capturing the last moments of this amazing year.
December has always been special to me, and my reason for loving it so much is simple. It’s an indisputable close of something. So much of my current life is influenced by all these different variables –subject to change. Not December. December 31st marks the close of a year. That it’s over. So whether you killed it all year long, are still holding out for a breakthrough, or a mix of both, its onset signifies that last ditch effort to make the play, hit that home run, set goals, dream big, you name it.
Speaking of big dreams, on October 8th, I packed up my suitcase (the silver bullet), carry-on, purse, and backpack, to job search here in New York City (still so weird seeing that haha). I could go on and on about the story behind that, but I think I’ll save the full version for a Coffey Break Chat.
NY or bust!
Long story short, the transition has not been glamorous haha I’m forever grateful to my wonderful family friends for adopting me, love you Bill + Debra! And my August people Warren, Christa, and Josias, for literally absorbing me into their lives in such a loving, genuine way.
Being broke is not fun. Living out of suitcase is not fun. Being unemployed is not fun. (dramatic face emoji) I had totally forgotten about the toll job searching takes on your emotions and self-esteem. Not to mention, that the irony of it all, is that you can’t just drop the search in pursuit other feel good alternatives. The goal is to get a job. You have to keep going until you get something, it’s just that simple.
I just don’t know how in the world I could have made through this time without you guys…
My confession is that I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was hoping for the red-carpet experience. I knew it would be challenging, but it’s nearly impossible to anticipate the reality of moving away from everything you know and love without actually experiencing it.
That’s where faith and trusting the vision come in. During my second week, I made the commitment to myself that I would limit my focus to the day ahead of me. That I would make the most of that specific day. That I would be present, and fight the urge to consider anything beyond two weeks out –and that was only if it was absolutely necessary.
A default in my nature is that I have a tendency of being so forward thinking that I can’t ever be fully present. I’d argue however that that mindset welcomes the God moments. There’s something so freeing about surrendering, and saying Your will be done. Where do we go from here day in and day out?
It’s so crazy to look back and see that somehow I’ve actually hit all these little milestones in this short period of time. I know it couldn’t have happened without His divine intervention in my life, and I’ve got stories to tell! haha
Join me over the next few weeks, as I roll out a smorgasbord of reflections, favorite finds, vlogs, and archived content (my cute way of saying content I should have published a long time ago haha)
Every now and then, I have the pleasure of working with someone that gets my wheels spinning. It’s this sudden feeling of wonderment. I want to know their whole story. The road that got them to where there are today. The inspiration behind the work they do. How they find the motivation to stick with it day in day out… The whole nine.
Chelsea Coffey, Fredis Benitez, Houston
Back in March, I was super flattered by the opportunity to shoot with Fredis Benitez. By the looks of his portfolio, I never would have thought that he was just getting started. His aesthetic is clean, crisp, and dreamy in tangible way, and most impressively, he’s a dreamer committed to the execution of making these dreams of his a reality.
See below for my full interview with Fredis. Hopefully, it’ll be an inspiration to anyone out there needing a push to just start whatever it is you’re holding back on. Enjoy!
Peace, Love & Sunshine ~Chels
The Coffey Break, Fredis Benitez, Houston
1. Fredis, introduce yourself. We want to know all about you. Where you’re from, etc.
First off, thank you Chelsea for asking me to be a part of your blog. I truly appreciate it.
I am a native Houstonian and currently live in SW Houston. Spent 4 formative years in Austin where I graduated from college. My background is in advertising/marketing.
Photographer, Fredis Benitez
2. How long have you been doing photography? Is that your background by trade?
I bought my first “legitimate” camera in October (Team Nikon). Prior to that I simply used my phone. Photography is not my background so there has definitely been a learning curve and obsessiveness with researching. I’m still very much an amateur compared to some of the great talent out there.
Really what I enjoy about the process is editing because of how therapeutic it is and the infinite ways you can compose.
Chelsea Coffey, The Coffey Break, Mias Closet, Houston Photo: Fredis Benitez
3. Walk me through the step-by-step process you went through to get to where you are today. What was the first thing you did? Next?
I attribute a huge part of where I’m at to some of the really talented people I have been exposed to throughout my life. The thing about creativity is it can be expressed in so many different ways beyond a picture — there’s music, cooking, fashion. All of these are things that I observe from a distance, respect, and emulate in some way.
My first step was starting — I compare any new hobby to running. The first 1/2 mile is generally the most painful but once you find your tempo and stay at it you’ll find it gets easier and you get better.
The Coffey Break, Dean’s Downtown Houston, Photographer Fredis Benitez
4. Are there any Houston photographers (or anyone in particular regardless of where they’re from) who’s work you really appreciate and why?
Absolutely. Greg Noire is a local Houston photographer on a different level right now. I respect his vision and talent.
Nationally, Aaron Brimhall — he’s a moto-lifestyle photographer my friend Mike introduced me to. I actually got to meet him and he is one of the most amazingly talented yet down-to-earth, humble dudes in the game; all attributes I respect.
The Coffey Break, Chelsea Coffey, The Pastry War, Downtown Houston, Photo: Fredis Benitez
5. What’s the one thing you wish you would have known before getting started with photography?
How expensive it can get.
The Coffey Break, Chelsea Coffey, The Honeymoon Cafe, Downtown Houston, Photo: Fredis Benitez
6. It may be too soon to ask this, but what’s your vision for photography and your brand? What do you want to be known for? Where do you want to take it or it to take you?
It is early, but my vision for what I do is steadfast improvement. I will continue to travel and document wherever I go. I simply want to be known as putting out great work, which I know will take time and continued practice. At some point I’d like for my work to be on a national publication — something like Kinfolk or Cereal mag.
The Coffey Break, Chelsea Coffey, The Honeymoon Cafe, Downtown Houston, Photo: Fredis Benitez
7. Last, but not least, if a kid walked up to you asking for your advice and you only had a few minutes to give them your best tip, what would it be?
Don’t focus on what’s not available to you. A key aspect to creativity is using what you have around you to make things happen.
Mostly — just start.
The Coffey Break, The Honeymoon Cafe, Downtown Houston, Photo: Fredis Benitez
Top 5 favorite things about Houston?
1. Coffee Shop — Blacksmith because they serve Greenway and have powdered soap (Houston can be hipster too). The Wifi is fast.
2. Restaurant — It used to be FuFu Cafe but we all know what happened there. I’d have to say Brasil (patio area). You can people-watch and get good food.
3. Cocktail: Moving Sidewalk: The whiskey sour is legit and I take everyone I know there
4. Tout Suite — if you take anyone from out of town there they leave with a great impression of Houston and the macarons are delicious. They also serve boba so major plus.
5. Activity — shooting pictures or riding motorcycles with my friend Mike Le. We always bounce ideas off of each other so it’s a good place to get feedback for plans.
The Coffey Break, Chelsea Coffey, Metro Rail, Downtown Houston, Photo: Fredis Benitez
Mini Melty’s are always a good kick in the butt. Thank God for those emails Marie Forleo sends all the time. I searched her name and scrolled and scrolled until I found the subject line I needed to see –How to find the work you were meant to do.
God has this beautiful way of giving us what we need when we need it most and revealing it just in the nick of time.
Join me for this week’s Coffey Break Chat as I share where I’m at with my own journey to discovering what I’m meant to do and personal reflection on hanging in there!
Hope this will be a blessing to you guys. Praying for any and everyone out there who can relate.
Really love them… I’d like to consider myself fairly resilient, but the truth is that I’m sensitive, really sensitive, and after all these years, I’m seeing that there are things that stay with you. Years and years can go by, and yet, there are still those moments when I slip into that hidden vault of whatever offenses, disappointments, hurt feelings, embarrassments tucked away in the recesses of my mind, and sometimes, it’s just enough to trigger a ping reminding me of why those boundaries are there in the first place. It’s ironic, because those same defense mechanisms possibly cheat me out of who knows how many meaningful relationships and experiences..Thankfully, life is a filter. So regardless, I couldn’t be more thankful to the ones who continue to break down those walls and show me how to connect, commit and trust the beauty of relationships. Vulnerability is a powerful thing… Ya, the risk might be higher, but the same can be said for the reward.
Have a great day you guys! Peace, Love & Sunshine ~ Chels
