By: Gabriela Yareliz
I was in a freezing cold restaurant at a lunch with some acquaintances. The place was like ice and my water was, too. One woman discussed how she loved being able to regularly take her small children to the NYC museums. “Exposure is so important.” Everyone started chiming in with their childhood exposures that made them the sophisticated people they are today.
As I shivered with my ice water quietly listening (nails turning blue and secretly wishing I had kept my coat on), I then started thinking about my own exposure, and how it ties into what I love.
I remembered the Children’s Museum in Downtown Grand Rapids. When I tell you I was obsessed with that place— I am not kidding. You could do experiments, put yourself into a giant bubble and be a fake meteorologist. It was curiosity heaven. My heaven.
We camped often, and nature was a big part of how I grew up. I visited many military museums. Church was a cornerstone of community.
And the exposure that probably impacted me the most (other than church) was the library. A library is my happy place. Ironically, the NYC ones are barely open and mediocre compared to others I have spent hours in. A good library can change a life.
And I think this brings me to my next point. It’s important to reflect on what made us who we are and what made others who they are. Look at the type of person they are. When we raise children, who do we want them to be? Do we absolutely need them to be artistic? Musical? Do you want them to feel at ease with nature? Do you want them to be accustomed to being indoors or outdoors? Do you want them to be athletic? Obviously, there are things a child will simply gravitate toward, but parents have a big impact.
Some exposure comes with grounding. Other exposure will develop an eye for something. Some makes one resilient and others will make one elevated. Some exposure is dangerous and fosters addictions and delusion. Exposure sets standards.
As I sat there, though, listening to the conversation, it was clear to me that values and how we see the world and see others is at play. It sobered me a little, and in some ways, disturbed me a lot. Exposure can determine how connected or detached you are from reality and others.
Exposure is so important.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 