An Explanation of “Ding! Happens”

In many of the posts on this blog, I use the phrase, “Ding! Happens.” If you have seen me speak, then you know exactly what I am talking about. If not, you may be confused. Here then is the explanation of “Ding! Happens.”

“Ding! Happens” means the same thing as, “Stuff Happens,” of more correctly, “[Insert your favorite expletive”] Happens.”

The “Ding!” comes from an improv comedy game that I play to start off my speaking programs. In it, I give an audience volunteer a bell, and then I begin telling a story. The volunteer can ring the bell (“Ding!”) anytime they want. When they do, I have to roll my story back, start repeating what I said, but change it to something different. For example:

“Once upon a time there was a girl who had a pet dog”
Ding!
“Once upon a time there was a girl who had a pet cat”
Ding!
“Once upon a time there was a girl who had a pet mouse”
Ding!
“Once upon a time there was a girl who had a pet llama”

Whatever. I can say anything I want, as long as it is different. If the volunteer doesn’t ring I just keep telling the story but only as if the last thing was said. So in this example the dog, cat, and mouse would all be gone, and we would have a story about a girl and her pet llama.

To see examples of this game inaction, visit the videos page

The game is fast, high-energy, and funny. The lesson from the game is that the universe acts in just the same way. You are moving nicely down one path and everything is coming along fine and then all of a sudden, “Ding!” the universe throws you a curve-ball and says, “here, deal with this.”

Anyone can do great when everything is going well. The real trick is in how you respond when the unexpected occurs. i.e. How you respond when “Ding! Happens.” Many of the posts on this site, and most of my speaking deals with using the step by step process of improvising with anything to show people how to quickly and powerfully deal with the unexpected “Dings” of life.

That’s what “Ding! Happens” means. Consider yourself edumacated…

About

By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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