The Power of Exposure.

On a recent Saturday morning, I found myself driving back home after an 8 am yoga class, sipping my coffee and reflecting on why exercising and the gym have always been such happy places for me. It was a cold morning, and not many people were up, let alone up for yoga, but there I was.

As I thought about it, a realization hit me. My affinity for exercise and the gym wasn't just a random preference. It traced back to my childhood, , it hit me, I was raised by a nanny! My aunt, called her "aunt mom," nanny who worked for over 20 years for a wealthy family in Craighall, JHB, South Africa. She lived in their yard, and from about the age of 7, I would visit her.

Those visits exposed me to a different world—a world of high walls, tennis courts, big houses, and fancy cars. It was a lifestyle I didn’t live but observed closely. Simple as watching the family's female boss water her plants, the sound of water softly hitting the grass, and the breeze flowing into our kitchen windows. I saw her go to the gym and come back, often wearing short shorts, which was not something you’d see in my village.

There was even a time when I went on a family vacation with them because my aunt needed to come along to take care of the kids. Through these experiences, I learned about family vacations and a lifestyle far removed from my village reality.

It dawned on me that these early exposures influenced my mind. They planted seeds of possibility. At the time, I couldn’t imagine any part of that lifestyle becoming a reality for me. My aunt was a cleaner, and I was just a little girl from the village. Yet, those experiences shaped my subconscious desires and aspirations.

I realized that my ease in waking up for the gym and my love for an active lifestyle were influenced by those early experiences. My mind had been exposed to a lifestyle it loved, and it spent years finding ways to make that lifestyle a reality for someone like me, and still is.

This reflection made me understand the profound impact of exposure. What we see, whether consciously or unconsciously, influences our minds and ultimately the outcomes of our lives. It’s crucial to be mindful of what we expose ourselves to because it can shape our thoughts and actions in significant ways.

While we might not have control over what we’re exposed to as children, as adults, we can choose what we want to see and be influenced by. These choices, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, contribute to our life’s direction.

My aunt taught me many valuable things. I make a bed like a pro, shine my taps, and even iron my gym sweaters because I saw her do it. She held herself to high standards, and so do I. This has helped me immensely in my sales career, where I hold my clients in high regard.

In conclusion, exposure is powerful. It shapes who we become and what we strive for. So, choose wisely what you expose yourself to. It could make all the difference in your journey to success.