It was only a few weeks ago that I was at the grounds Worcestershire County Cricket Club. A cricket ground right in the heart of England. It was not a day when a match was to be played, the season was drawing to a close, so there were only a few matches left to play.
The grounds are ranked by many cricket players as one of the top pitches in the world for location and attraction. I pass no comment as I am rather biased, as it is on my doorstep, with the views I know so well – Worcester Cathedral on a sunny day almost casts a welcomed shadow from the opposite side of the River Severn. The back drop in the distance are the Malvern Hills. As you can see, it is very green around the ground too.
If you know a little about cricket you will see the ‘wicket’ – the strip of the turf that the batsmen and batswomen play on in the middle of the picture. Some dry and straw coloured, some well worn. Even if you are not interested in cricket it is still a quintessential part of English life. I was on the balcony of one of the stands (interestingly, where we sit!). It was fairly early in the day and there was a busying of the grounds staff cutting grass, and making sure that the whole of the grass area was in top condition for the match due to be played the following day.
As I looked over the empty ground, admiring the relaxing scene that stretched out before me, my mind was already busy asking some unexpected questions. Questions such as:
- Am I playing on a tired ‘wicket’ and perhaps need a rest?
- Do I move my ‘game’ onto the next prepared piece of turf, utilizing all of the resources I have – and do I do this with my clients improving their game with new tactics and new learning?
- Do I look beyond the small strip of grass I am playing on and take in the bigger picture? And conversely….
- Do I take my eye off the ball and admire the view when a ball is being played – only to miss the opportunity of hitting a six?
Many more questions sprang to mind, which I wrote down in my note book. I am sure once you get into the mood of the analogy of the cricket ground, and game, some questions of your own will come to mind. You just need to allow a little time for this to happen.
Certainly, taking only a few minutes out to relax and look at the wonderful cricket ground allowed some thoughts, and questions, to leap into my busy mind. A very useful reminder that it is vital to create some space in our hectic lives and stop clogging it up with seemingly ‘important stuff’, when the more important has not had a chance to surface.
Also a useful reminder to value the moments we get in most days to value what, at times, we take for granted. Now there is another ‘innings’ in that line of thought for sure!
My best wishes,
Peter
