# Exposure Metaphor ## The Aperture of Authenticity Imagine the aperture of a camera lens that expands open to let more light in and also contracts close in order to prevent too much light from coming in. Now imagine having an aperture that allows your authentic self to be seen. **Wide Aperture:** You can open the aperture and allow more of yourself to be seen which can feel very vulnerable because you are exposing a raw and 'off-beat' side of yourself. This can also feel very intimate. **Narrow Aperture:** You can also turn the aperture down and just be more on the surface in certain relationships, transactions and other social dynamics where having a wide aperture may put you at risk or isn't worth the energy. ## Application If you are an introvert or have trouble expressing yourself, especially in an authentic way, then play with widening your aperture—increasing exposure to yourself. When you think of this metaphor it can help you approach a social situation or content creation with more authenticity and expression as you carry the intention to expose your feelings, opinions, and spontaneous energetic current. This aids in the process of self-discovery, and the practice of "not-knowing in order to find out." --- ## Related - [[Creative Clarity|Creative Clarity]] - [[Approaching Meditation|Approaching Meditation]]