Today I came across an article about the 10 most expensive photos in the world. The photo that grabbed me the most had sealed the emotional dialogue between two female hands. While looking at the photo, I felt what the great connoisseurs of the human soul have seen: the silences that have accumulated are screaming the loudest.

The author of the picture in question “The Hands of Georgia O'Keefe” is named Alfred Stiglitz. He is considered the man who established photography as an art. What impressed me more than the photo itself, and for which I am actually writing this text, is a quote by the same photographer placed at the end of the article. Stiglitz says the following: “I want to draw your attention to the biggest misconception about photography - the term “professional” is used for successful, in general opinion, photographs, and the term “amateur” - for unsuccessful ones. But almost all great pictures are taken and have always been taken by people who have followed photography for the sake of love and not at all for the sake of success. The term “lover” implies a person working in the name of love, therefore the generally accepted classification is clearly wrong.”(http://highviewart.com/articles/view/846)

I think this is valid for all possible spheres of human activity. Generally accepted classifications and understandings of what is a professional and what an amateur are too superficial and limiting. The fact is that when we are professionals, we inevitably become conditional — we expect payment and recognition. This is how the world is set up, for good or evil. That is why it sounds very logical to me what the photographer said... perhaps the most pure and authentic form of labor is amateurism. Because above all it is about strong inner motivation, subtle sensuality and love. The most spiritually and emotionally helpful people I know do not have degrees in psychology.

I realize that nowadays it is rare to realize the well-known recommendation of Confucius: “Choose the job you love, and then you won't be forced to work a day in your life.”Despite this objective sometimes inability to turn your passion into a profession - have hobbies, do what your soul and heart crave, create and loveBe! Many of the clients entering www.e-therapy.bg have one main problem: they are ashamed, do not laugh, do not start, belittle and suppress their inner interests and abilities... they have even forgotten what they like to do and what inspires them. Because they compare themselves to profits and think it makes no sense. They believe that they will become a laughing stock if they start shooting, sewing, dancing, writing, drawing, playing sports, teaching... you can complete the list yourself. This refusal is a big mistake! It contains the meaning of the phrase “to abandon yourself.”

And how to fulfill the other common cliché “be yourself”? Start with hobbies, because amateurActivities are the road arteries to the soul.

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