Daily writing prompt
On what subject(s) are you an authority?
Sitting here early this Thursday, July 4th(and happy July 4th to our friends in the United States), I wonder if there is a subject or topic that I might be an authority on or have a really good grasp of.
It's funny and sad(not really but sad works here), in that I can't specifically think of anything. The issue for me and perhaps for many others as well is, "What defines someone who is an authority on a subject?" With a quick search on Google, the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, "someone who is an expert on a particular subject, and whose opinions influence other people."
With much regret, I don't think I'm that. At least I don't feel I am.
When I was teaching, for example, I taught in a way that I believed was effective and engaging. But, I would never pass myself off as an expert. If someone had a teaching methodology/pedagogical question, I would try to provide them with my best advice and suggestions. However an authority on pedagogy......not so sure about that.
For the vast majority of us, we may know our jobs or a particular subject pretty darn well. In fact, many of us have in-depth knowledge of how to repair a car or identify species of birds found in a rural farm meadow. But, authorities? Maybe...maybe not. Perhaps just in our own minds.
But, honestly don't most of us fall into a definition along the lines of "jack of all trades - masters of nothing?" We know a fair bit about many things but aren't necessarily red-seal certified in any particular subject.
We have a friend back in Ontario, whose husband knows far too much about far too many different subjects and has no real issue with telling you about how much he knows on ANY SUBJECT or issue you can think of. So annoying. Nice guy though. Ask him - but be prepared to sit for an hour and listen to him.
Regardless if you are an authority on a particular subject and CBC's "Power and Politics" or "Cross Country Check-Up" has you on as an expert in some obscure subject, or if you're simply a "jack of all trades - type", there is one subject that we all are experts or authorities on.
That is living life and in particular, living your own life. We are all authorities on that.
Ask me.
--as always with love--
--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---
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