+The Golden Ring posted 6/3/2008 3:30:22 PM | 17 kudos what's this?     report abuse

Tunes4u

There are so many things I want to do with the remainder of the time given to me here on the Planet. Assuming there is a little time left of course. I guess one never knows, does one.

I have spent the last twelve years owning and single handedly running a pro guitar shop here in downtown Casper Wyoming. I have meet many musicians, both wannabes and real ones. I have had major stars walk though the door and kids with their Grandfathers, day dreaming about the day they could afford to buy one.

In these few years I have had such an amazing learning experience. I think I have learned more about so many different things than in any other time of my life. I was so scared when I started. I felt I knew very little about it all. Especially the business part of it.

But there is one common thread running through all the things I have learned.
Ya can't be afraid to live.
And you can't be afraid to step up and try for the Golden Ring.

Some of you may not know what I mean about trying for the golden ring....
Back when I was a kid, I was lucky enough to be taken to a Park outside of Washington DC on the shores of the Potomac River. And in this Park, was a Merry-Go-Round.
It was old...and it was the real thing, with a steam powered Calliope providing the real sounds of joy for a kid's heart. Thank Goodness there were no clowns about.

I loved that thing. The horses were real wood, the poles real brass, the reins and stirrup straps real leather…and the best part was, it had a ring thingy to reach for.

Every time you went around, if you were lucky enough to get an "outside" horse, you had to reach way out as you sped around, and try to hook your finger in a steel ring about the size of one them old silver dollars. At first, I was young and couldn't reach it. But after a while, and enough visits, I got bold and figured it out.

Every so often, as you came around again....there would be the Golden Ring! It was brass I found out later, much to my disappointment. It was always such a rush to see it, especially if the kid in front of you missed it!!! You got a split second before you reached out...trying to balance and going up and down.....the calliope tootin' it's exciting and happy melodies out for all to hear, probably for miles around...the noise of children and the huge lumbering machine.......pressure ran high as I leaned into my trusted steed, and reached for the Golden Ring.
Because if you were lucky, and actually snagged it, you got a free ride. That was something to reach for alright! The almighty free ride, and a chance to try again.
And I never forgot it.
Those lessons learned long ago.

I have my own band now, and I never dreamed of that, until I decided to reach for that ring. You will never know how far away that dream seemed from reality for me. I refused to even think about it really, except to ponder about and wonder what it would be like to be brave enough to do it. But no way would it ever happen. Because I couldn't do it. It wasn't in me. I was afraid....deathly afraid. I remember the first time I actually performed as Thomas MacWilliams, I went out back and hurled.

Now, as change approaches yet once again, I can hear the calliope and see the Golden Ring come into view…..
And so another chapter is coming. I can feel it.

I am ready.
Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. Don’t be afraid to reach way out ...............for the Golden Ring.


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Blogs by Tunes4u: A Letter Home I Swear! The Invisible Blog +Space Travel.....and My Vacation Plans! A " How to" Letter For Dummies +Open Windows....A Mystery Tour Old and in the Way The Great and Powerful The Midwest Flood Riots of 2008.... Anybody Here? To God or Not To God, That Is The Question? THAT Was a Close One! +The Golden Ring Why I Don't Write Poetry You THINK You Want What?!!! Home on the Range "My Special Miss".....A Real Chance To Help Staying Tuned Miss MD...and Cabin Girl Or That's How It Seems The Big 100!! What a Milestone! I Close My Eyes, And Enter My Dreams Goin' Out To Da Country, Baby Ya Want a Go? Just Another Wyoming Sunset Short Conversations