How Exposure Shaped My Mind, My Ambition, and My Confidence!
One of my favs, Advocate Thuli Madonsela once said, “Your mind stretches to your level of exposure.” I first came across this quote around 2019 or 2020, and it has since been deeply etched in my mind. It resonates with me because it captures something I’ve experienced and lived, the idea that exposure expands you. It changes how you see the world, how you reason, and ultimately, how you carry yourself which is the most important aspect.
Growing up, my mother (S/O to her) exposed me to so many things. She would take me with her to her workplace, introduce me to her colleagues and most often make me befriend them, some of whom were young, driven, and full of potential. At the time, I didn’t realize how those simple interactions were quietly shaping me. Being around people who were passionate and ambitious planted seeds in me. Seeds that grew into curiosity, boldness, and the desire to be more.
I’ve always been ambitious, passionate, and someone who thrives on pioneering, stepping into spaces that challenge me, inspire me, and stretch my thinking. Now, at 21, I look back and see how much that exposure influenced the person I’ve become. I’ve pioneered in a few areas, not because I always knew what I was doing, but because I’ve always been naturally inquisitive, receptive, and unafraid to dream beyond what I know.
There’s often a conversation about the lack of growth in ekasi, how people seem “stuck” in certain ways of thinking or living (I will not be delving deeper into this as it won't be too well informed). But sometimes, that lack of growth isn’t rooted in laziness or lack of ambition. It’s fuelled by a lack of exposure. When your world is limited to what you see daily, it becomes hard to imagine anything beyond that. And truthfully, it’s not always anyone’s fault. You are, more often than not, a product of your environment, not necessarily an exception to it.
That’s why it’s so important to intentionally expose yourself. Step outside your bubble (your comfort zone). Explore different cities, connect with new people, listen to diverse kinds of music, read books that challenge your perspective, attend seminars, watch documentaries, and even curate your social media feed to educate and inspire you. Each of these experiences adds a layer to your understanding of the world, and ultimately, of yourself, right? I hope this does not at all sound like I am speaking from a point of privilege.
So, as I grow and continue to evolve, I carry this truth with me: the more I expose myself to the world, the more my mind stretches, and with that, the more limitless I become. ❤️
Sanibonani bafundi bami abathendekayo, ngifisa ukuxolisa for my lack of consistency, I am working on it. Thank you for popping by to read this lovely piece,
Very profound! Beautiful sisi!
ReplyDeleteThere’s a quote you reminded me of by a woman I deeply admire: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” by Maya Angelou.
ReplyDeleteThrough my journey, especially over the past four years, I’ve come to realize that the more you learn, the more curious your mind becomes. With every new experience, your understanding expands, your mind stretches to the level of your exposure. You begin to question what once seemed certain, and your perspective evolves in ways you never expected.
Each year, I get genuinely excited to reflect on the contrast between who I was and who I am now. Exposing myself to a wide range of spaces, people, and information has reshaped me in countless ways. I’ve started to challenge beliefs that once defined my identity, one being the idea that “men don’t cry.”
Because of that notion, I grew up unable to express any emotion other than happiness; I never saw emotional vulnerability modeled enough to learn from it. But now I understand that expression isn’t weakness, it’s growth, awareness, and the result of stretching my mind beyond what I was once exposed to.
Truly what a beautiful piece you wrote my dear friend🤍
Beautiful my cupcake🧁 . Thank you for acknowledging me. The best thing a parent can do is to give their children what they did not have and more. .Most importantly to pray for them every day.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much😘