IT HAPPENED FOR TED WILLIAMS; IT COULD HAPPEN FOR ANY OF US
If, like me, you’ve been thrilled by the good fortune that has suddenly cascaded upon Ted Williams, the homeless man with the throat painted in gold in Columbus
I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been blessed to be given a second chance in my profession, too. That time, it resulted in the job of a lifetime – up to then. Right now, I’m searching for and confidently expecting yet another “second chance”. You might be in the same situation. We need it. We deserve it. The trick is to be absolutely certain that it WILL happen for us. Because call it what you want, the power that surrounds us is all for the good and it is unlimited.
Not to go all New Age on you here but this belief in the abundance of the universe really does work. (New Age is a terrible term, too, since this belief goes back to the dawn of time. However...)
I’m writing about second chances today because so many radio professionals need one. I don’t believe the phrase is accurate, by the way. There are PLENTY of chances. Let’s call them ADDITIONAL chances instead of second chances, which implies that there might be only two. One thing I know from personal experience is that there is no limit – none whatever – on Additional Chances. Only on our belief that they could exist for us.
Amid all the reportage surrounding the Ted Williams story this week was a little piece on TV about his ex-wife. I mean, the guy has had a full life – way too full, by his own admission – as well as a wife and six kids. She remarked that only last Sunday in church, the sermon was about – go ahead, guess – second chances. The minister asked “Who would you pray for to get another chance?”
His ex-wife’s answer, and that of her current husband: “Ted”.
I’ll borrow that question for today’s column: Who would you pray for to get another chance?
We all know one or more radio pros who desperately need another shot at the business right now. I’ve just been in touch with one of the top air personalities I’ve ever heard, a thoroughly talented broadcaster and a good guy. He’s on the beach simply because an employer reached too high and wound up not being able to do what he planned. Thanks and so long.
Frankly, I’m in the same boat.
More than anyone else, those of us who have earned a crust for a few years in broadcasting know that great talent can wind up unemployed – even in desperate straits – through no fault of their own. This business has a long, bitter history of discarding its best and brightest. Those who make it back again and again have what a long-ago writer called That Something Within: a core belief that not only is great abundance available to you – but that you deserve it.
It’s hard to keep a grip on that, I know. But it works and it works because it’s true.
I’m excited about what’s ahead for you. For me, too. Because it’s going to be terrific and it’s happening right now, whether we realize it or not.
If you need an amazing voice, Ted Williams is your man.
If you could use a terrific morning drive personality, I can steer you straight to a couple of the best you’ll ever meet.
And if you need a strong radio station manager well, humbly, I happen to know one of those. (He doubles in play-by-play, too!)
Most of all, if you’re reluctantly basking with thousands “on the beach” right now, I strongly urge you to reach inside and find That Something Within that reassures you that you are very, very good at what you do. That not a second chance but Another Chance from an unlimited supply is out there for you right now.
Most of all that, like silken-throated Ted Williams in Ohio
