What Makes A Person An Expert In The Paranormal

I've been touching this subject for a long time now. And, it's really the bases of my blog. It seems that everyone as of late believe you have to belong to a paranormal team. You have to be excepted into one first just to say your involved in the paranormal. Then you have to go in for "training", and wearing all black, before calling yourself an "expert" in the field. This confuses many people that are new to the supernatural. They feels intimidated. Very intimidated. Because they don't understand what is happening to themselves. Their trying to understand? And, that worries me. The supernatural as I call it (or paranormal) is a huge field in it own.
What makes you an "expert" in the field of the paranormal is "your personal experiences". Yes, you! Believe it or not. And, you don't need equipment to tell you what you yourself experienced. Some of these experts never had a personal experiences of the "other side". They rely on you to give it to them or for them to give it to their group. And, they are waiting for that one time they will see or hear what "you" experienced. So, you are really the expert. You know what it's all about. You went through the "experience". But, you have doubts on yourself. Or, made to feel you have doubts. So, that's why you call a group to come in the first place. Like I said, it's a very big field. So, don't be afraid to venture out on your own to buy books, go to free meetings with others like yourself and discuss your experiences. Or better still, you start a group at a local coffee shop. You would be amazed how many people are in the same boat as you and want to talk about it. Don't be afraid to go into occult shops (not psychic readers). Check online. They can steer you to people that might help you understand "yourself" (and you don't have to spend a dime). They will smile and understand you quite well. It's a pleasant surprise when that happens. The main thing you get out of this is you don't feel alone. Or, look crazy. Or, feel crazy. It's better for you to go on your own "journey" into the paranormal. Because you are the expert. And, don't forget that.
But, if you want to call a paranormal group in. Then do it. But, do talk to them about what experiences they have been through (I don't understand some people that don't want to talk about their own experiences. It doesn't make sense? So beware!). So, that way they can help you to understand a little better about yourself.