Amateur. Why does this word seem to lack respect? Why does amateur pale in comparison to professional? What exactly is an amateur? An amateur is simply a person who engages in an activity for pleasure rather than for financial gain. Being an amateur actually lifts a huge weight off of your shoulders. You can participate in something on your own terms. You don't have to validate yourself through the approval of others. You can be more open to risk and failure. I like the idea of being an amateur, because it opens the door to so many possibilities. I can dabble in the things I love, and enjoy the process without worrying so much about the finished product. In Austin Kleon's new book, Show Your Work, he quotes a Zen Master named Shunryu Suzuki who states, " In the beginners mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind, there are few."
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