You Become What You Are Exposed To

You Become What You Are Exposed To

When we are exposed to an environment long enough, we naturally become like that environment.

If we are exposed to one with top-down information, we eventually stop learning how to learn. The educational institution in Singapore is wired in that way. This has actually impacted Christianity in Singapore where many wait for top-down information for the Word of God instead of learning how to divide the Word properly.

If we are exposed to a non-authentic community, we eventually stop becoming our real selves. We mask ourselves and hide everything in order to be accepted in that environment. We learn to talk 'religious' and use the right lingo to display a form of holiness.

If we are exposed to a money-driven community, we eventually seek first the kingdom of mammon instead of Him. What we do reflects more and more like the world without realising that we have grown to be like them.

Whatever we are exposed to, we become, unless we intentionally align ourselves with the One on the inside. If it is already very challenging for adults, what more for children?

When we pulled J out of a certain environment (it is not a homeschooling group), we immediately notice the change in his behaviours within one week. That environment was a little toxic at times. J grew easily frustrated and became less obedient. After we made the decision to pull him out and let him be exposed to a healthier environment, he returned to himself ---- obedient and more patient.

Many people think that homeschooling will affect academics. I think it depends on what you mean by academics. At any time, we would prefer him to study life instead of studying subjects for the sake of passing exams.

At a recent co-ed Chinese group, the tutor highlighted the difference between teaching school students and homeschooling kids. The former group always seems tired and non-responsive, but the latter is responsive, curious to learn, and has their own interesting ways of thinking (plus rowdy of course!). The tutor was so impressed that she wanted to find out more about homeschooling.

Homeschooling destroys top-down information, non-authentic community (since he's exposed to the home where everything is authentic) and money-driven mentality (he's free to imagine and learn without being exam/result-oriented).

I'm not saying that we need to homeschool our kids (though I am a strong advocate for that). But we can learn the importance of being exposed to the right environment, even as adults.

What kind of environment do you deliberately choose to be exposed to?