Enjoy a guest blog from Cheyenne Mendel, Goddess extraordinaire!
“From a Latin root meaning “to delight in,” the Dilettante is a lover of the fine arts who never rises above the level of an amateur, and to whom the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” applies. Although the word has the negative connotation of a dabbler who seeks only a cursory knowledge or experience, it never completely loses the sense of delighting in the arts. The Amateur, from the Latin root for “love,” has many of the same qualities of the Dilettante applied to the realm of sports or applied arts such as cooking and gardening. In many cases it’s better to be an inspired amateur than a grind-it-out professional. Like the survival archetypes, the Dilettante or Amateur can alert you when you are in danger of becoming merely superficial in your pursuits, or losing the love that drew you to your avocation in the first place. The shadow Dilettante manifests as a pretension to much deeper knowledge than you actually possess.” – Caroline Myss
If you have not blessed yourself with any of Caroline Myss’s books or teachings I highly recommend it. They are life changing.
“VENICE” by Rowan Lyford
I realize now the archetype of the Dilettante came to me early 2016 when I went into the local artisans gallery in Crestone, Colorado. I saw this painting entitled “VENICE” and was immediately smitten. I love art but I have never considered myself an artist of any kind.
I could not get the painting out of my mind and would walk by to make sure it was still there. I realized I had to secure it for myself and plopped $700 down on it. I had never really purchased a painting let alone spend that kind of money.
I discovered it was painted by a 17-year-old girl named Rowan. I was amazed by how much it inspired me and it also turned out to be a feng shui cure to help sell my business.
In 2016 I took up piano lessons. I had them in the 2nd and 3rd grade but during the times I was supposed to be practicing, bad things were happening to me at home. I had “collapsed” (a Landmark Education term) the abuse with playing the piano. I never touched the piano again for decades.
Cheyenne Mendel playing the piano in her home in Saguache, Colorado.
I myself have been and acupuncturist for 26 years. I have had the privilege of treating over 30,000 sessions and chances are for years and years I have spent most of my days standing with people and working on them. Like me, there are many other specialist in fields that require tons of education like physicians for example, who have not explored the Dilettante simply for lack of time.
I would say anyone who spends 10,000 hours let alone 30,000 would be an expert in that field. I am not used to being an amateur. Crawling when I am used to running doesn’t feel great. Ego crushing at times!
The benefits of artistic expression are numerous and undeniable when practiced. Being able to do something for the sheer joy of it is inspirational and miraculous.
Another bucket list item for me was dance. Just this month, I enrolled in a studio for a 6 week two-step country swing class and it has been pure pleasure. For me the best part is “being led”. I have to lead in so many other areas of my life. To be able to let go and flit around the dance floor to honkey tonk music has been a blast.
In the Dec 2016/ Jan 2017 Reader’s Digest article, Kurt Vonnegut writes, ‘What I have to say to you, moreover will not take long, to wit: Practice any art – music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage – no matter how well or badly, not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what is inside of you, to make your soul grow.”
He goes on to say “Write a poem and make it the best you possible can. Don’t tell anyone what you are doing. Don’t share it with anyone. Tear it into tiny pieces and discard them widely in different receptacles.”
The Dilettante experiences art for the joy of it. The huge popularity of the show THE VOICE speaks to how much the population is thirsty for pure inspiration and joy in artistry.
The artist Prince died April 21, 2016. I cried for three weeks and then again even months later. Why? I never understood the crying I saw around me when Elvis died. I was 9 years old. All these people did not know Elvis. I now understand. I did not know Prince personally nor did I ever attend one of the famous Paisley Park pop up concerts, but the love and artistry and high frequency and how he conducted his life, left a big impression in my heart. Every time someone we know or someone who touches us dies, we take inventory of our life and the meaning of it and what brings meaning to it.
So if the Dilettante is knocking I recommend letting him or her in. The water is very fine.
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.” – William W. Purkey
Cheyenne Mendel practices acupuncture in Crestone, Colorado.
So delighted and inspired by Cheyenne! This passion you have rekindled with the piano reminds me so fondly of your mom and her French horn. I recall how giddy she was about playing her birthday concert for all of us. Feed and care for that flame that burns inside you! Enjoy a little sawdust on those boots for me as you twirl about the dance floor! I miss your gusto and courage, my friend! You’ve always had a special place in my heart and am a more centered soul for having your influence in my life! Peace out! – Rosemarie
First, I enjoyed this blog post immensely.
It feels like another way to go deeper and delight in what we love and pleasure in. I realize I need to bring in more pleasure and delight into my life and embrace qualities of the Dilettante.
I’ve noticed that I often confuse entertainment with pleasure.
Entertainment is where I zone out of the experience, such as watching anything that happens to be on TV at the moment, eating a mindless snack, and remain the bystander on the sidelines. Now pleasure…that’s different. That’s immersion into what I love, what brings joy and excitement. Loving it for the feelings that happen, as you mentioned “loving” the feeling of being led, to let go, to enjoy the pleasure of whirling around the room.
Loved this article. Thanks for the post. Clear words like the clear colors in the painting!
What a great insight Carol of the difference between Entertainment and Pleasure! Thanks for sharing!
What an inspiring post, Cheyenne. I love the idea of the Dilettant and of delighting in the arts. Such good advice from Kurt Vonnegut to practice any art to experience becoming.
I’m just so enamored by archetypes, and love the Dilettante! This is also the Fool in the Tarot, and where our journeys begin.
This reminded me of that sage adage: Always be a beginner on the path.
Love this, Cheyenne!
I love learning about the archetypes and you paint an appealing picture of the dilettante/amateur. To do something for its own sake seems like the purest form of expression and enjoyment – and who wouldn’t want that in their lives?! Good for you for taking up dance & piano!
Loved that painting and I’m not an art buff.. but it just looks very neat.
On another note.. sometimes I feel like a jack of all trades, master of none.. sometimes I feel like I know a bit about a lot of things.. but aren’t killing it in one.
Great read
I’m in love with that painting too!
It’s funny because I never realized the negative connotations we place on amateur status. As your article emphasizes, being an amateur has advantages and should be embraced. If we strive to be an expert at everything, then we’ll be missing out on many joys in life. Very inspirational post!
An inspiring and heartfelt post. I liked “Being able to do something for the sheer joy of it is inspirational and miraculous.” I am also finding the time to do things that I like to do, just for the joy of it. Thank you for spreading that message!
I thoroughly delighted in reading your article. Thank you for putting the amateur on the wanna be list. Loved it!
Very inspiring post Candess! I had not heard about the term “Dilettante” as it sounds like it is a great thing to invite into our lives! My mom plays the piano and she finds it so peaceful
That painting of Venice drew my eye. Wow, someday I want to visit there, so maybe that is why I noticed it immediately, but it is such a fun view of Venice.
I felt the same way Karen. The painting was so vibrant. I was in Venice a couple years ago (it’s my heart place) and I loved it. I hope you go. It’s incredible!
I love how being a dilletant allows us the freedom to express ourselves without being judged.
Wow this is a very touching post. Prince touched so many lives and his passing was so difficult for many people. That pic of you at the piano is fantastic and your story here makes it clear how important it is.
Yes, Cheyenne was really connected to Prince and it was a difficult time for her. Thanks for your comment!
This is a beautiful post. I have several similarities–played piano, love and ran a fine art business (and the painting in this post is gorgeous, etc. And it was Michael Jackson for me rather than Prince–I cried for a couple of months as if I knew him personally.
Rachel, I know Cheyenne was affected by the death of Michael Jackson too. For me it was Leonard Cohen. I cried and cried also feeling like I lost a good friend.
Beautiful post! It’s so nice to hear someone discussing a dilettante from a positive perspective. I love the arts myself and indulge as often as possible.
Beautiful article! Art is really something else and people like you give more beauty in it.
The dilettante part of everything I think is very important, because it means you are having fun with what you do.