On being a dilettante (pl: dilettantes; dilettanti) A dabbler. Without commitment. Nonspecialist. Layperson. Amateur. Without knowledge. Jack of all trades, master of none. Latin: delectare – English “delectable” ? --> Italian: dilettare – to delight --> Italian: dilettante – person loving the arts. Ours is a highly specialized society fit with highly bureaucratic systems of governmental regulations to the degree that it can be challenging for a highly educated, though non-specialized, individual to come upon a meaningful vocation. Unless one is specially trained, certified, and approved by the government bureaucracy and meets requirements attaining to specialized knowledge, it can be difficult to find a satisfying and well-paying job, depending on one’s life experience. I especially have in mind the teaching vocation (especially in NYS) where exploring teaching as a vocation is not an option unless you commit from the very beginning and throw yourself into deb...
Pastor Turner smiled at the soloist as she descended the stairs and made her way back to the pew. He gathered his Bible and tucked it nicely under his arm and walked confidently up the short flight of stairs to his pulpit, a small climb, but the difference between heaven and earth. He stood for a brief moment and sorted his yellow pages of notes and then began, “Isn't it sweet to see such a young lady, only a teenager, already using her talents for the Lord? Amen?” An array of resounding masculinity bounced off the walls no sooner had the pastor finished speaking. “Amen!” came from the front. “That’s Right!” came from the rear. “Yes, Sir!” came from the side with the windows. Pastor Turner got on with it. He spoke softly, “Turn in your Bibles to the gospel of Matthew chapter thirteen and verse fifty. That’s Matthew chapter thirteen, verse fifty.” In a moment pages turned violently, fingers vigorously rushing to the text. Heads were buried in laps. The intensity of the moment guaran...