Are You Serious? From the Ventriloquist Central Forum

This was sent in to our Ventriloquist Central Forum by “Wild Ol’ Dan” and I thought it was so good that I wanted to share it with everyone.

Enjoy.

Howdy Pards,

Are you serious?

It’s probably safe to say that all of us settin’ around Ventriloquist Central have experienced that moment of inspiration?one little spark, you might say?in which we said to ourselves, “Hey, wouldn’t it be neat to be a ventriloquist?”

Now, it’s probably safe to say that someone inspired us to think that?let’s see…for the young whippersnappers around today it might have been Jeff Dunham or Terry Fator?for those of us who weren’t born last Thursday it might have been Paul Winchell or Jimmy Nelson?and for those of us who really remember “the Good Ol’ Days” it might just have been a feller named Edgar Bergen? The point is something or someone “inspired” us?opened a dream window you might say?to what could be.

So, we started explorin’ the possibilities?

Maybe we bought a ventriloquist figure or a puppet?maybe we took a course in ventriloquism?maybe we went to the library to find all that we could find which is usually not much?maybe we bought some “How to” videos. Now, taint nuthin’ wrong with any of these methods?did you know that Edgar Bergen sent away for a Quarter, that’s 25 cent, booklet on “How to be a Ventriloquist?”.

So?we start talkin’ to our selves?looking at ourselves in the mirror?collecting jokes?trying to figure out how to make this thing more lifelike?funnier. Maybe we even started “entertaining” in front of people a little?you know, doing shows for free, or next to nothing?

Eventually we find ourselves at a fork in the road you might say?one direction is big and wide, clearly lots of folks have taken it?cause it’s downhill?the easy way. Yep, it’s the direction most folks eventually go?they give up?lose interest?and wind up trying something else?

Ah, but then, there is “the other way”?much narrower path?uphill?clearly not many have traveled this way?seems like a harder route. But there is a sign post up ahead?it’s got a little arrow on it?what does it say? Let’s see?oh yes?it says? “Success?Straight Ahead!”

So?which direction are you gonna go when you get to that fork in the road? The easy way or?

The question we must all ask ourselves at that point is a simple one? “Are you serious?”

The honest to gosh truth of it is?most folks are not. They lack a few things?like willingness to work hard to achieve their dreams?the desire to stay on course, “sticktoitivity” you might say?they are easily distracted?they simply do not believe that they have what it takes.

And, you know what? They are right.

Oh, it’s not because they don’t have the ability to succeed?it’s because they don’t have the attitude, the self confidence, the desire to succeed. To reach the top you have to believe that you can reach the top.

Some are motivated by entirely the wrong reasons to even start out?they are more hungry for the spotlight than anything else?when no one shines a spotlight on them?they give up.

Ah?but some?actually do travel that narrow, uphill path to success. They see the art of ventriloquism as a way of making people happy?of bringing a little magic into this ol’ world of ours?and they are serious about their dream. And, yes, they are truly inspired by those who have taken that path before them and made it to the top. That admiration is born out of better understanding and respect for the hard work?the effort?the desire it took to get to the top. Things really are brighter in the spotlight?warmer too?and it feels downright good if you walk into that spotlight knowing that you have done everything you could to earn that place on stage.

So?when you come to that fork in the road?which direction are you gonna go? Hint: if you want to reach the top, the direction is gonna be uphill?and it is not gonna be easy. The path will be narrow cause most folks don’t go that way? Believe in yourself, you have what it takes, but ask yourself before you even take one step? “Are you serious?” If the answer is yes?then, we’ll see you at the top?and the world will wind up a better place, a happier place, because you followed the narrow, uphill path to success…

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol’ Dan

Thanks “Wild Ol’ Dan” for writing this great insight.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2012 by Dan Willinger

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