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The
Abandoned Waterslide A few years ago, I did a show in the small town of Benton, Illinois. In the middle of the town there was a waterslide park that had obviously gone belly up and was now abandoned. It was quite a sight - a big yellow slide that now had a bunch of weeds and small trees growing in and around it. There were empty beer cans and cigarette packs strewn all over the lot. It had probably become the perfect late night hangout for the same kids who, a few short years before, had made a conscious decision to go nowhere near the place. Now they just sat around drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. I found myself wondering about the guy who started it all. He probably still lived in town and had to drive by it on occasion. It's hard not to notice an abandoned waterslide especially when you're the guy who built the damn thing. What a nightmare. We've all made some bad financial decisions in our lives. But how would you like to have the worst one you've ever made now prominently displayed on a few acres smack dab in the middle of town? It kind of puts a bounced check in perspective. And now the whole twisted mess just sat there mocking him. It was the perfect metaphor - a big, abandoned, downward slide. One of the most disappointing things in life is when high hopes and good intentions get stomped by harsh reality. From what I could tell, that's exactly what happened in Benton, Illinois. At some point, a very well intentioned entrepreneur thought of a great way to contribute to his community. He could generate some tourism and in the process maybe even make a fortune for himself. It was win win all around. But ya know what? Stomp. He had a vision. He saw carloads of happy kids being carted in by good wholesome midwestern parents. Then they would tell all their friends what a great time they had whooping it up at the waterslide park. And the word would spread far and wide. But ya know what? Stomp. He saw long lines of customers and dedicated employees tending to overflowing cash registers. Unfortunately, the kids who lived in this town also had a vision. And it didn't include going to some stupid waterslide. The one thing he hadn't counted on was for reality to come marching in on his parade. Stompety stomp. Eventually it went under. And the poor guy didn't even have enough money leftover to tear it down. So now had a new dream - to raise enough money to tear down his old dream. How cruel. Even if he achieves his new goal, he's still exactly where he was back when he was first struck by the rather odd thought that popped into his head - "Hey ya know what this town could use? A waterslide." How much better life would have been if he had never followed through on that thought. But no. He persisted and worked real hard and jumped through all the hoops and he never once stopped and said to himself, "Naaaa, it'll never work." That's what most of us would've done. And we would've been right. Sometimes, one or two well-placed negative thoughts can save the day. It was the optimism that did him in. There's a lesson in there for all of us. If you're going to dream, by all means, dream big. But if you do, remember this - always make sure you leave enough money in the budget for a demolition crew just in case the whole thing goes to hell. close this window to return to the Tom Ryan writing page SHECKY!
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