I have been living in a lovely part of Chennai (near Boat Club Road) courtesy the generosity of family friends. The bonus of staying here has been morning walks surrounded by trees. After a few rounds admiring the lovely bungalows and their gardens, I end my walk getting reacquainted with the grounds of the Madras Club.
The club still feels like home to me, even though it’s been close to 30 years since I left Madras. I spent a large part of my college life (when my grandfather was the managing member and had quarters there) enjoying the good life that the club offered. When I set out on my morning walk, I did not go in search of my youth – I just wanted to get my 10,000 steps, but every walk brought memories flooding back.
To start with, memories of a fitter me – there was a time I used to actually jog on the track. Now my pace has slowed. The flip side is that I’m not in a hurry to get anywhere. I enjoy the walk. I sit and soak in the greenery around me and feel the warm hug of familiarity.
So much has changed in the city, so much has changed in my life. This small corner of Chennai seems to have stood still in time, transporting me back to the Madras I knew. The same trees gaze down at me. The same path that I have travelled, at a different period of my life, meanders near the river. The lovely brick red veranda where I sat and watched many a movie, brought in quite a few new year’s, and enjoyed the annual fireworks display from, stands firm.
The first few mornings, were a strange mix of novelty and nostalgia. Like getting to meet a long-lost friend, the years have to be bridged, but the ease and comfort of the relationship hold strong. Memories of my grandparents, Lizzie, Lucky, and Midge, our three dogs, and many of the club staff who became part of our extended family replayed in my mind like an old movie. A balcony I used to sit and smoke on, is now part of a guest room. The spot under the stairs where I used to park my motorcycle remains, and the garage where my grandad’s car used to be is gone.
Laughter, tears, celebrations, and sadness all mix together in one lovely kaleidoscope of memories caught in the corridors and alcoves of this lovely space. More than the words and pictures, it was a feeling that hugged me. The love of my grandparents, the affection of the doggies, the care of the club staff, and the carefree days of college spent with friends came back into my consciousness.
As the days progressed, my morning walks continued and somewhere along the way, I stopped searching for the past. I reminded myself to enjoy the present. I am making new memories. Ones to treasure, that will possibly hold my hand on some future day, when I need them.
Some things have improved over time. For instance, the lawn in the middle of the track is well-maintained. The grass is greener now than it was during my college days. The tennis courts are in the same spot but now they have a pickle ball court for company. The outdoor badminton court is gone, replace by two indoor courts.
My walk down memory lane reminds me about the importance of keeping parts of the past, honouring them, and also seeking to improve and move with the times. In the world of corporate reputation, this holds true. Companies that honour their past and move into the future have to walk this delicate balance of holding on to what makes them unique and finding a way to keep part of their history. At the same time they need to move forward and change and adapt to newer needs.
A smart reputation custodian ensures the past is respected while crafting future narratives. This continuity creates something special, and if well executed holds onto what was, while moving towards tomorrow. Perhaps this is the secret sauce which creates the trust and warm hug of familiarity, that a strong brand or corporate reputation provides. It’s a feeling, that says “I know this company and trust it”. A strong reputation opens up many paths of progress, because it honours the past and paves the way for the future. The Madras Club has managed to do this brilliantly, and maybe that’s why it’s called the Ace of Clubs.
In the world of Coaching, my trip down memory lane holds lessons too. The awareness that is often uncovered as a client walks down memory lane is a good starting point. The reminder is to keep moving forward. “What do I want to do with it (the memory/awareness) now?” That memory. That joy. That pain. A walk down memory lane can bring it back up into focus. The question to ask is, “Having seen it, where to from here?” This is the path coaching has taught me to explore. Not allowing myself to get trapped in the past or triggered into the future. A better route is to examine it, see the options it presents, and then keep walking.
When the sun comes up, (or even when it rains) it’s time to put on my walking shoes and keep moving forward, in alignment with what matters most to me now. Keep walking.
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