Good At, Interested In, Exposed To

Where Becoming Good At Something Starts

Is it not the case that what we are good at is often a function of what we have most applied ourselves to?

And, is it not also the case that what we apply our self most to is largely a function of what we’re interested in? And, again generalizing, are not the things we are most interested related to something innate within us?

Assuming some type of progression in this particular sequencing, could we propose that it is our interests that gives us a clue to what we could most benefit from truly pursuing?

So, how does one identify their interests? Of course, there would be many paths to answer that question. But one of them, at the very least, might be that exposure to a variety of things and experiences create opportunity for those interests to be revealed.

I am mindful of some of the things that I love the most today are the same things that I was exposed to as a child. That is probably more than a coincidence. Not to say that if I had been exposed to something else, I automatically would be interested in those things instead of the things that I’m interested in now (though that is theoretically possible). Nonetheless, it is conspicuous that what I enjoy is a function of what I do and what I do is a function of what I’m interested in and what I’m interested in is often connected to what I’ve been exposed to.

It’s not hard to notice that exposure to things often sets a number of things in motion. I've watched this in my own experience (as a child…and ever since), in my grand-children (see above), in the stories of others.

Obviously, exposure is not always good. There are plenty of things in life that are damaging and exposure to those things is rarely helpful, if not harmful.

So, on the merits, a pure and unadulterated principle of exposure by itself must be modified. What we expose ourselves to is an important consideration. And, even though negative exposure can still sometimes lead to some important understanding, experiential exposure to constructive and essentially good things is primarily what I’m referring to here.

I know, for example, that my exposure to international experiences was significant to my development and understanding of the world. It impacted nearly all aspects of my life, including my sense of country, success, identity, people who are different than me, the world as a much larger eco-system, my faith, etc. And it was really the in-depth exposure I had to it that made the impact it did — far more than simply reading about differences in cultures around the world.

The secret (and beauty) of it is that what resonates with me about life was already in me. It was there; I just didn’t know it yet. It was the exposure of experience that brought it light, to my consciousness. My naturalness is more obvious to me now and it has been revealed by exposed to it over the course of my life.

As I continue to transition from resenting what I’m not to accepting (even appreciating) what I am, I am grateful for the process and the patience life has about it for my sake.

Because what is good about this dynamic for me, is also good for the world, as we experience it together.