November #PFFL of the Month

November #PFFL of the Month

Brittany Mckay
West Palm Beach, Fl
Age: 26

Montessori Teacher
Yoga Instructor
Yogi For Life

What is your current goal? 

I am a school teacher for young children, (ages 3-6) as well as a yoga instructor. My goal has always been, and will always be to positively impact anyone I teach, whether it's in the school classroom or in the yoga studio. I have dealt with serious anxiety issues, depression, self confidence and body positivity issues in my own life, and I know that it is yoga that lifted me out of the darkness of my own mind; yoga lifted the fog and brought me back to life. If I make at least one person a day feel better about themselves, laugh, smile, or feel loved, then my goal has been reached. I just want everyone to know that they are necessary and loved; I make that very apparent during each of my yoga classes.

What is the most difficult thing for you to fit into your life while striving to achieve your goal?

This is the best thing about my goal; it is always achievable and nothing can get in the way other than myself. When I strive to make others feel good and loved, it in turn, makes me feel like I am accomplishing everything that I wish to achieve. Before I found my own self love, it was difficult to believe that I could achieve the ultimate goal of lifting up my community;the saying is true: in order to truly love others, you must first love yourself. I believe that because I can now look in the mirror and be proud of what I see, I can truly show others what it's like to feel completely loved and powerful. In order to love and to be authentic with what I preach in my yoga classes. I must fit in the time to internalize, to meditate, and become deeply aware of the love and light that  constantly circulates and radiates within my own being- just as it does in every being. 

What steps did you take to fit that goal into your life?

Meditation. Crying. (More crying). Yoga practice. (More yoga practice). Self-reflection. 

This was played on a loop constantly, until I could look at myself and say out loud with authenticity that: "I am enough." We all have our moments when we feel like we are not enough. Not pretty enough, not smart enough, not lovable enough, not skinny enough...etc. this is the monkey mind at play. Through self reflection and discipline, we can quiet this "not enough" loop and find that we are indeed enough, more than enough. The steps never stop; this journey of self love to show others' self love is a never ending conversation with the self. But I promise you the it's worth it, and so are you! 

What is one tip that you have for women to achieve their goals?

Goals take time, and hopefully your goal is a lifelong one rather than a month-long goal to lose 10 pounds. If you are trying to lose weight for health reasons or simply to feel good about yourself, I hope that you reflect on why you have made this goal, how you feel after you have "achieved" it, and then ask yourself, "Am I happy? Do I know that I am enough (even if I gain the weight back)? What can I do to maintain this content mind?" My advice is to stick to at least one long term goal and to not be so hard on yourself about "achieving it." When we do anything at any extreme, the outcome is usually a regression in the changed behavior, good or bad. There must be a balance, or you will not only feel resentment towards others, (including carbs ;),) but you will make yourself feel guilty or even shameful. If you eat a slice of pizza, miss a spin class, or just don't feel like doing anything but "Netflix and chilling" that day, then listen to your mind and body! Don't be so hard on yourself. You have to be your own best friend and best friends don't yell at you for eating white carbs once a frickin' week. **snaps**