Lesson 1 : Enjoy the moment: As spectators, life is a game unfolding before you as you watch it from the gallery of time; enjoy each moment of it, regardless of whether your ecstatic face is projected on the big screen for the whole world to see. Be yourself and listen to the feelings and emotions inside you and let them flow as genuine as they are – irrespective of how you are conditioned by your ego and the roles you play, as long as it is synchronized with the social norms; why do we sometimes wait till the camera is zoomed in on us to display our exuberance and smile from ear to ear, and keep a straight face rest of the time! Do it anyway, can’t we? When your performance in life is excelling the ordinary, outstanding from the rest of the pack or become worthy of recognition, the camera of the world will come looking for you and project you, and so will the attention of those who matters most. All you need to do is to perform your best!
Lesson 2: Lead from center-out: Old adage is to lead from front, and in time it is conveniently taken out of context and abused by leaders, by putting their nose in everything assuming it as their responsibilities in spite of having an army of experts who can deliver better. Dhoni or Vettori may be the captains of their teams but for obvious reasons they do not insist that they be the opening batsmen, thinking, who else can be better than the captain to open the game and be the first for the cameramen to zoom on!! Batting positions and bowling orders are determined as a strategy of the game and the strength of individuals; your role as a leader is to facilitate that engagement and provide a direction and purpose, reasons too; the team is bigger than the individual, and it is only wise enough to come as 6th batsman if that’s where you will fit for the best interest of the team.
Lesson 3: Possibilities In Life: The game offers you wide possibilities to play unconventional strokes that you had always been instructed not to play; your imagination is the only limitation to how well you can perform, which is why de Villiers could score a six with a reverse scoop, however unconventional it may have appeared. Before you are the spectators keen to watch you play your best; inventions and innovations you will bring about will rise to become an entertainment for the spectators, and they will celebrate colourfully with our cheer-leaders in our neighbourhood.
Lesson 4: Maintain Integrity: If you had stood your ground with integrity and character, you will always find a space to be around meaningfully, like Anil Kumble, with yet another opportunity to give back to the game of life and bring around a new generation of game players with character and purpose. Should the game and glory get into your head the only way left is to perhaps relax in a luxurious villa beside the backwaters of Cochin and compose music for a music band, or let go the palaces in Rajasthan and muse in the streets of England reminiscing the good old days spent in yachts and chartered flights tweeting life away!
Life is a beautiful game where everyone has a role to play, and the role changes. It’s great to be able to be at the center of the pitch and be in control, and play the game out till the allotted time; play well, every day is your season of IPL – Integrated Power of Living!
Shahir
22 April 2012
