With Kind Regards

The other Sunday I went for a short cycle ride. Off on my usual route to Roslyn, though to be honest it has been far too long since my last cycle trip out. It was a lovely summer morning with no wind, no rain and the temperature – just like Goldilocks and her porridge – just right. On the way I met fellow cyclists, runners, dog-walkers, hikers, skateboarders of all ages. And the thing that made that short cycle trip special was that everyone looked out for others. All those I saw that summer morn showed consideration and care for all other people sharing that same narrow strip of tarmac.

For me, this experience was positive, pleasant and significantly special to stand out in in my consciousness. And it got me thinking.

In my job I sign off e-mails with ‘Kind regards’. Previously, going back aeons ago when I worked in the financial service industry and before that distribution, this was not how I signed-off e-mails. It is something that I have evolved over the years. For me it is no casual use of words, there is a deeper meaning for each word. I have in the past written in these blogs about the random acts of kindness and their positive effects both to those who have received as well as given them. Positive actions for mental well-being. To approach a colleague or a stranger by e-mail from a position of kindness is to anticipate an equivalent response in return.

Regarding the word ‘regards’ perhaps we might turn first to the dictionary. One definition for ‘with regard’ is ‘esteem; kindly feeling; respectful opinion’. In a world that is teeming with billions of people with so many opinions and ways of life, having regard can provide a key to understanding. Understanding someone far different from yourself.

It is interesting how the mind can jump so easily to situations where having regard for others with a different opinion or way of life does not happen. Whether it be debates over Brexit, independence, the economy, or the other Sunday’s environment demonstration in Glasgow, there exist so many examples of disregard in our present world. It is far too easy to overlook times and places where human interaction shows regard. Such moments pass quietly in our lives much of the time. For me it was seen in two events – the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics. These events and all those involved – from volunteers to officials to competitors – showed what can be achieved when people work well together, and with regard.

Some may remember watching a film a few years ago called The Monuments Men. Telling the story of the MFAA (Museums, Fine Arts, Archive group) the film covers the last months of the second world war in Europe. It explores the finding and safe-keeping of treasures taken from museums, galleries, libraries and private collections by people within the Nazi regime. I am currently reading the book and one of the barriers that the small team of men (initially seven) faced was general indifference amongst the military. Many soldiers and officers knew and cared nothing for museums or churches, ancient buildings, paintings, sculptures, artwork. So several of the ‘monuments men’ began basic instruction, explaining the very ruins and object that were being found as the allies progressed through Italy, and France, Belgium and Holland. There is a sense in my reading of this book of how soldiers and officers – on seeing the care and attention and regard given by the monuments men to these objects – began to understand and appreciate their importance. There is one scene where a significant painting was found in a cottage, part bombed, being looked after by a young family. In spite of ongoing artillery shells, explosions and gunfire, the monument man painstakingly, carefully examined every inch of that painting, documenting what was seen. Later the painting was taken to a safer space, but the care and regard for that painting made a deep impression on the family.

Turning back to present times, I feel we should not lose the importance of regard. In these times of discord and anger, where to have a different opinion from your own can be a flashpoint, it is vital for maintaining healthy discussion, healthy friendships and communications. It is a sad reflection on society that rarely do we see our leaders – whether political, religious, business – nurture regard for others. So for now we can only nurture and note when we see regard given, and let it enhance our days, just like that Sunday cycle ride.