Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with creating a manifesto reflecting wonders, curiosities, and delights currently captivating me – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
D is for…
dabster – an expert; one who is greatly skilled or a master of their profession; a handy person; a dabbler or bungler.
I have a great fondness for auto-antonyms aka contronyms, which are words with multiple meanings, one of which is the reverse of the another. I wonder about them and their history – how did this happen? Oh the irony!
In this case, I like both opposing definitions of dabster, and trust there’s a place for both in our lives.
I believe we should be dabsters in the sense of being masterful at our professions. In my admittedly optimistic world view, we should all be doing what we love, what excites us, what fills us with wonder and joy. And therefore something we can easily and gracefully commit our energies to becoming masterful at.
The act of being masterful though isn’t a quick journey – I believe it requires time and commitment, dedication and study, awareness and reflection, and an ever-expanding understanding of both the guiding rules and the ability to see exceptions, along with the ability to successfully and usefully navigate between them.
Frankly I find it somewhat annoying and incredibly ridiculous that so often in our culture people are encouraged to claim they are experts at things, frequently with very little experience, and often solely as a marketing ploy. With so many people claiming to be experts at so many things, it’s hard to believe our world systems aren’t functioning more flawlessly isn’t it?
Somehow I like the Japanese tradition of naming those they consider real masters as Living National Treasures. I find that concept fabulous and puts being an expert in a context that really acknowledges and celebrates the gift one with mastery bestows with their work.
But I also believe there’s room in everyone’s life for the other definition of dabster – the sense of dabbling and bungling and NOT being expert. There is so much to garner from the beginner’s mind and the actual state where everything you try is wildly experimental and unsuccessful. There’s such an inviting energy of curiosity from this place of what if? What now? Let’s try this and see what happens.
Being a dabster in this sense is a wonderful invitation to explore, and in doing so, to perhaps develop one’s discernment. To decide if you want more of this thing, or less. To learn to make connections about what excites you and can pull you in new directions, and what can be let go of as not of interest. Undoubtedly it’s all good information to have, and when you can approach things from a perspective of dabbling you can do so with a sense of fun. What’s not to like about that?
I have a great fondness for paradox.
One of my spiritual beliefs is that at this time in our evolution what we’re really trying to do is fold everything into wholeness. We’ve come as far as we can with duality, and what is calling us now is the ability to introduce a third point into everything. By that I don’t mean some unsatisfying compromise, a diminished version of both things which satisfies none, but literally something that is new, innovative, and a truly expansive alternative. So I’m always looking for the ANDs and letting go of the either/or.
I wonder what dabster, with its two contrary definitions, has to teach me about wholeness?
I cherish a world that encourages dabsters. May we all pursue to the level of expertise what brings us joy, and may there always also be room to tinker.
So tell me, are you keeping your feet on the joy trail? Are you a dabster in either sense of the word?
I’ve encapsulated both meanings of this word in my life. Everything I do is on the continuum of this word, including my day to life activities themselves.
A true dabster master Margaret. 🙂
Definitely a dabster. In my transcription work I would consider myself an expert (I’ve been doing it for over 20 years, I should be). In my crafting work I am a dabster as well, still learning and trying lots of different things. Great word, Deborah!
It’s fun declaring dabstership isn’t it Janet?
Paradox. Moving from duality into something else. The Fool in the Tarot comes to mind. Tinkering hither and thither, dabbling in this and that and maybe like Mercurius the magician.
Thanks Deborah … I like the sound of this word too …
I love paradox – it’s such an expansive invitation. And I absolutely agree, Fool an Mercurius as excellent examples.
Definitely a Jack-of-all-trades and master of none!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
It’s fun to claim breadth then Beth. 🙂
Hari OM
One can be a ‘dab hand’ at something = rather good at it, or one can merely dabble in something = play at being good at it! I love this post. You are a dab hand with words &*>
“We’ve come as far as we can with duality, and what is calling us now is the ability to introduce a third point into everything. By that, I don’t mean some unsatisfying compromise, a diminished version of both things which satisfies none, but literally something that is new, innovative, and a truly expansive alternative.”
Deborah, it is nothing new at all, but a rediscovery of what has always been present…
Love and Light,
YAM xx
I agree Yamini that the third point is not something new at all. But our awakening as a collective to embrace it is indeed new. If we have but eyes to see and hearts to open.
…ah yes… which matches my “E” precisely! Yxx
Yet another irony to ponder. Real experts stay humble and pursue their chase while the other lot that considers themselves are experts, well, have a long way to go.
Lovely thought! Would come back for more!
Keep Smiling,
Lakshmi Ramanan
We humans are curious creatures indeed. Thanks for stopping by Lakshmi – I appreciate it
Hi Deborah
This is the kind of post I’ll have to save to come back to again and again.
There are so many things I’d like to dwell on, especially, ” looking for the ANDs and letting go of the either/or.” Whoa! You may have ‘stretched’ me a little today. So thank you.
I’m a fan of this kinda dabster:
“There’s such an inviting energy of curiosity from this place of what if? What now? Let’s try this and see what happens.”
D is for Darshan
Your comment about being a little stretched makes me smile Arti. One of the things I’ve been thinking about for a while now is how important it is for us all to be what I call “bendy.” To be able to stretch in this direction and that, moving from points that have become so calcified by our holding them so firmly for so long, that we cease expanding.
What an intriguing word! And I think you are absolutely right in your understanding of both sides. On the one hand, I love spending time with people who are truly passionate and masterful in something. On the other hand, dabbling in interesting things is also fun 🙂
The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
Yes, I’m glad we get to experience both things. And it makes me smile in delight we get to embrace them both with one word. Language is crazy fun!
Jeeez…must be something in the air or something, but I found myself irritated lately of self-proclaimed experts too. It made me think of my own ‘doings’, as I also know irritations about others could be a reflection of something I don’t like about myself.
Anyways…great addition to your Alphabet, dear Deborah.
XxX
Yes, I think it’s always a good idea Patty, when something rubs against us to consider where we might be carrying that. I believe the universe is always providing us with opportunities to know ourselves better; to make choices about how we behave so we can be in greater integrity with who we truly are; and above all reminding us to practice compassion, for ourselves as well as others.
room to tinker … I love that.
I am making portals for the 100 day project … taking something that is easy for me and recreating in a small format … and it is challenging. i am definitely not an expert … but I am still learning, experimenting, exploring. and that is what I love about it.
I’d rather not be an expert. I’d rather always be exploring and learning.
Your 100 day project sounds fascinating Cynthia, and exactly like the delicious experiment I I think such a project should entail. Stretching AND having fun; experimenting and refining; wobbling and soaring. All perfect!