First, watch the video...

Here are some comments that I received after this video was first released:

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Hi Tim
 
I agree with you 100%.........and if I may add, your excellent comments do not only apply to magic but also to umpteen other pursuits that virtually any individual would like to follow.
 
"Whether you think you can do it, or whether you think you can't do it, you would be right both times."
 
Well done, Tim
 
Regards,
Antoine

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Excellent,inspiring message with hich I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you.

Harry A. Goldberg

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Dear Tim,
 
I really liked the last vlog you made, and what you said is true, if you really want it you can be great.
 
The fun thing I noticed is, when people say they don't have time to become great at magic, they often find time to do other stuff, like watching video's on youtube, or your video maybe.
 
So you might tell them, that if they find time to do that, they could have time to practice magic.
 
Thanks for inspiring people, and helping them along in the world of magic.
 
Kind Regards,
Wouter a.k.a Lotrmaster6

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Dear Tim,

It would like, first, to congratulate it. You are a great magician and I have enormous admiration for you. I must thank for all its videos and teachings to it, of me had been of great utility. I adored, at heart, its magicians, surprised to the all with tricks.

Until they had said that I made "pact" with the Devil: P Thanks a lot for its work. Of a friend, Gabriel.

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Dear Tim,
 
If I wanted to be a better magician, I'd respond to as many of these e-mails as I could.
This is not being said in any sarcastic manner or mocking light.
 
I signed up for this subscription ( of emails ) because I didn't have any other hobbies.
 
I've learned a few tricks and I might be able to use them for entertaining purposes. But since then, I've done something else with my life. Thinking and Music. Guitar is my favorite thing to do. It is a passion for me. I have high hopes that I will be a musician for a living. But this is a dream. Some would say that it is a dream. To me it is a dream. But this aspiration, as well as the one to become a "great magician" is useless unless you have the will. What I'm saying is that ever since I began playing guitar for a career ( which I still to this day have no clue where I will go with it ) was never really supported. My mother shrugged the idea off when I told her "I want to be a rock star." My father; however, who lives 349 miles away from me, has tried to pour words of wisdom into my head to keep me motivated. As much as I appreciate the support, it couldn't keep me pushing to my fullest potential.

Right now, I still play guitar. I've self-taught myself for 1 year. I'm almost 18 years old and have lost small bits of inspiration.

This video that you posted, as little as it does have to do with guitar and music, has inspired me. Overcoming mental and emotional obstacles such as negative thoughts, excuses, and laziness is the hardest challenge that I can defeat.

You are absolutely right when one who wants to be a great magician must have that burning to desire to "want it in their heart." Those who wish to be great must discipline themselves, challenge themselves, and sacrifice many other desires in life.
 
My name is Robert and I believe your message has pushed me to my "dream" even more.
 
Thank you, Tim.

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Hi Tim,

liked your video. We actually had Wayne Dobson lecture at The Magic Club of Great Britain. He is an inspiration to all.

I'm an entertainer first. The magic is the vehicle for the entertainment. I've found that professional magicians perform the same magic to different audiences, so you know the magic, you don't have to think about it and can concentrate on ensuring the audience enjoy it. It also means you only need to find a number of tricks that are right for you.

One simple trick that works time and time again for me is the six card repeat. What's beautiful about this is it's easy to do, it's easily understood and you can tailor it to any event. Bicycle cards for adults, spiderman, batman, harry potter, etc. etc. for kids parties. Again, because of it's simplicity to you can concentrate on the patter and the show and have fun with the audience.

Check out Burned for a really high impact card trick. The first time I performed this close up was at a bar in Brussels. I have never had a stronger reaction the folks completely freaked out.

All the best with the sites,
Andrew Rice

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nice vid! it make me think a lot! thnxx! :D
Eduardo

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Hi Tim,

    I just saw your most recent video and I just wanted to thank you for it because it really inspired me to continue onward in magic. I usually give up at times because I feel like I am incapable of doing tricks, but your video really proved to me that I should not give up. Even a simple trick can provide a big impact. Thank you a lot.

From,
Anonymous

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Thanks for the cool "inspiration".

Sam

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i guess so, it doesn't matter if you don't have a hand or a finger the thing is you enjoy the magic tricks you do you will perform many magic tricks of something that could be awesome you have to read those e-mails because you are a fantastic magician because perform many tricks isn't easy and you're just excelent jaj but if you love what you do, you are going to be in the highest tower of that in this case magic jaj. I do magic when I see the oportunity and i try to do it as well as i can so i like to to magic even if i do it bad or not with wrong things we learn.
 
Daniel Zorrilla 14 years
Colombia!!!!

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Hi Tim,

Great advice on that video. I don't have lots of time to practice my tricks so I choose tricks that are easy to do. I have been doing childrens birthday parties for many years and have a lot of fun. Regards David Woodrow Dunedin, New Zealand

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Very inspiring video, Tim!!! Great job!! I can tell you that at 50 years old, it gave me a little more "umph" to keep at it!

Thank you!
John Lewis

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Dear Tim,

I absolutely agree with your video and i want to ask you what made and keeps you passionate and excited about magic that you have pretty much made it your life and are willing to go to such lengths (like reading hundreds of e-mails each day) to respond to and teach others who are at least slightly interested in magic. Don't get me wrong, i respect and in no way think that theres anything wrong with that, i'm just curious cuz, well, just about everone is passionate about something right?
 
Jon

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Agree emphatically. I think your philosophy regarding magic or any of the performing arts is right on the mark.

If you have doubters out there they are either unaware of what those with real handicaps have accomplished or they simply do not have the dedication or desire to be the best they can be regardless of the obstacles.

Keep it up, Tim, you have the ability to get understandable logic to those that say "it can't be done".

All the best, Don Gray

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I totally agree with you tim. We need highly opinionated people in our society tim. As for not taking the time out to learn magic because of school or whatever is bull. Like you stated if you want to learn, you will find the time no matter what. The thing with alot of young people these days is they don't want to climb a ladder. They want to start on the top of the ladder and work there way up. It doesn't work that way, at least for me it didn't. I didn't go to college but also when I was young I worked in a foundery. Melting copper and brass and the heat was something else. You had to wear a mask and had to take salt pills and wear gloves because it got hot. I said to myself after over 1 year and a half working on the graveyard shift. That this wasn't what I had planned all my life and made sure I went to a trade school to learn a trade. Anyways my point is if you don't take the time out to make yourself better, thats where your going to stay. Its your choice in life as to what you want to be. Its just getting your but out there and doing it. And if you want to get better at anything its practice practice practice. I know I fly everything remote control ;O)  Jimmi

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Hey Tim. How you doin.? Wolf here from Australia. Yes, i definetly agree with what you say in your video. Every variable in life, objective or subjective is an opportunity to put a variable in ones magic that makes it personal and a little different to the next guy, even if its the same trick as his.

I also think that if time to practice is an issue then one can practice to do a few good tricks outstandingly with a good performance instead of trying to perfect 500 tricks without success. Love your work. Regards Wolf.

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one word : cool

- Zhiyong Czy

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Tim

I watched your video and agree with you. I was a magician, well still goof off, I performed in the Magic Castle, Flamingo in Las Vegas, Euro Disney, IBM conventions in England, Warsaw Poland, and many other places and as far as I know I am the only person to perform with Marvin Roy, that was when Carol was ill and I replaced her for one show. Imagine that.

I was going to teach children magic but I found that they didn't have the secretive desire, just the oh......... is that all there is to it.

Anyway I am a 60 year old magician and love the art and all that metal in it.

rog

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Amazing video Tim. You have made me respect magic a lot more. take care
Arjun Thaker

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Dear Tim if you are good in magic and illusions than you must never stop because it is your talent and don't care what other people say and yes I do agree that you speak the truth.

Jeslynn

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I completely agree with your opinion on this Tim. While I do perform some rather complex and difficult sleight of hand, and practice all the time, becoming a good/great magician is more dependant on your determination than on any inherent skill. Perfect case in point is the trick Out of This World by Curry. If you perform this properly, an audience will consider you a miracle worker.

Have a great day.
 
Jerry Sigman

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i believe you tell the truth, an that's a great thing, loved your video was a great piece of advice, which i will apply.
 
Thanks a lot!!
Ronnie

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Top video blog Tim,it makes me want to be better everyday.....even though have a diability,i try to practice every day,as another magician once said to me,it all depends on how much you want it!!! Thanks Tim keep up the good work,

Best wishes kris Naylor uk

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Hi Tim!
 
This is neville here in reply to your video. I was really impressed by the passion you have shown in magic! Not what that you have said about magic but the attitude towards magic you actually portrayed in that video and the willingness you showed about teaching people into becoming a good magician! Honestly, I really appreciate that! So for that, thank you!

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You make a very good case that anyone can be good and anyone can be great ...IF...they want to badly enough. Practice is something that must be done. When I routine a show, I get everything I need, packed in plastic tubs, then I unpack and start to do the entire routine! Yes I do because even though I have been doing some of the effects for 50 years, I want to make sure that I perform MAGIC for my audience. No stumbles, no tricks that don't absolutely WOW my audience. I am a para professional. I do earn some money but I am retired now. I am also 69 years old. My hands are not as steady as they used to be but I do effects that don't require my hands to be steady, just my brain. Ha Ha

I have purchased from you and what I purchased was excellent. I look at all your "stuff". Never know when I will find a gem that will fit into what I do.
Thanks.
Magically,
Paul Hilko

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Yes Tim, I agree and I wish you would add that wannane magicians who say they cannt find the time can always practice the opening and closing of the trick (s)
Im refering to telling people your going to do a majic trick.

You dont just say: Hey look at me im going to do a majic trick unless it your little brother or sister.

So they more to lean then the trick itself and there's always time to practice other aspects of 'MAJIC'
Also Majic has helped me to inprove my personally overall even when not have a trick for every moment.
 
Thank You Tim for you Majic
Sincerly
Dan

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I fully agree with you !
As you say in the video: you can use your (for example) slow hand to your advantage!
Well said.
Niklo

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Please add your own comments below...I'd love to hear what you have to say.