Regard: A Lesson from the Dance Floor

Dear friends, today I’d like to share a tale from my younger years, a story that taught me the true meaning of regard. It’s a lesson I learned on the dance floor, of all places. So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of tea, and let’s journey back in time together.

The Dance Class

It was the summer of ’65, and I found myself enrolled in a dance class. Not by choice, mind you, but because a certain young lady had caught my eye. She was the instructor, a graceful creature who moved with the elegance of a swan. I, on the other hand, was more akin to a newborn calf, all limbs and no coordination.

The Lesson

One day, after a particularly embarrassing attempt at a waltz, I found myself alone with the instructor. She looked at me, her eyes filled with a kindness that made my heart flutter. “Kevin,” she said, “you’re not a bad dancer. You just need to regard your partner.”

I was confused. I thought I had been regarding my partner. I’d been watching her feet to make sure I didn’t step on them. But that, my friends, was where I was wrong.

The True Meaning of Regard

“To regard someone,” she explained, “is not just to look at them. It’s to see them, to understand them, to anticipate their movements and match your own to theirs. It’s to be aware of their presence and to respect it.”

And that, dear friends, was the lesson. Regard is not just about observation, it’s about understanding and respect. It’s about seeing others not just as they are, but as they could be. It’s about recognizing their potential and helping them reach it.

Applying the Lesson

So, how can we apply this lesson to our own lives? It’s simple. We must strive to regard those around us. To see them, to understand them, to respect them. Whether it’s our partners, our children, our friends, or even strangers, we must regard them all.

And remember, regard is not just for the dance floor. It’s a lesson that can be applied to all aspects of life. So, let’s all strive to regard one another, to see each other, to understand each other, and to respect each other.

Until next time, my friends, remember to dance like no one’s watching, but regard like everyone is.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev