The Power of Hospitality

Have you ever experienced staying with a family or friend who made you feel as if you were Jesus visiting their home? I mean, making sure you were taken care of from the time you step out of the airport until they drove you back to the departure lane?

What a perfect time to write this blog as I am staying with a friend in Missouri. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of hospitality is feeling welcomed! The love that is transferred when you are greeted by an old friend and the excitement of reuniting is a blessing to me.

This blog is about some ways, ideas, and benefits that we can apply to welcome our next guest in town. As always, I invite you to take your favorite journal and pen for some prompt questions for reflection.

If you’re tempted to say, “I don’t have a guest room” and are feeling discouraged…behold! The following paragraphs have inspired me to share how to think outside the box and focus on the heart and art of hospitality.

#1 - A welcoming attitude

I have been part of cultures and upbringing where you are forced to serve or to give. You know, “your tia(aunt) ____ is staying with us for a week, so go clean your room!” The process of preparing comes from an attitude to make another human feel at home, and it starts with us. Shall we shift our focus to what is admirable and good?

Shifting the focus and responsibility on us frees up mental space to adjust our attitudes and feelings. We can only change ourselves. Shall we start there?

Reflection: What can be duplicated by your attitude about your favorite guest, and what can be adjusted (by you) from your least favored guest?

#2 - A clear period of stay & needs

Have you had a guest that stayed weeks after the agreed period? Did you feel weird and uncomfortable? That goes for the host and guest. When we have a clear period, it allows for planning that gives ease and comfort making both parties excited about their stay.

I love when I’m asked what are some of my dietary restrictions, allergies, or food cravings and desires. I also have been asked what are some things to be aware/prepare for our puppy Poppy. These questions bring peace of mind and invitation to share my needs in a safe space.

Reflection: What are some questions that you can ask your next guest(s) for their stay with you?

#3 - A clean & clear space

If you follow my blog, you know I do chores and tidy up in sets of 15 minutes. It’s manageable and fun. When we are excited about our upcoming guests, we get to think of what they like and would need proactively and productively to ease.

Start with the big staples, like their bed (even if it’s in a sofa bed) I love spraying some lavender essential oils. Jimmy loves Tide detergent. We get to adjust based on their likes and allergies.

Reflection: When can you set up some time to clean your space? Alexa and/or Siri can remind you and set-up some music as you enjoy cleaning and clearing your guest room.

#4 - A creative guest room

I’ve had the honor to have two of my friends stay in my office. I made the best of it with an air mattress, some essential oils, and a working space for entrepreneurship. I have also stayed in two of my friend’s daughter’s rooms. They either shared a room with a sibling or parent. These experiences connect us closer and make our stay even more fun!

I am currently staying in a separate suite at my friend’s home in Missouri, now the most encouraging part was seeing a bed made just for Poppy. These kinds of considerations mean the world to us, dog parents.

Reflection: For those of us, that don’t have a guest room, how can your bedroom, office, or child’s bedroom make a cozy space for your next guest?

#5 - A list of local places

I find that asking our guests for their dietary preferences is such a fun way to connect when our world seems so dividing nowadays. We get to explore and share our journeys together. And of course, these get to be from your proactivity in asking your guest in advance. Let’s say your family is Paleo/Keto and your guest is vegetarian, well eating out at a local well-known vegetarian spot can be encouraging to your next guest.

I love giving choices (at least 3) and I love when I’m giving choices as well. This way helps me to know a person better and relieves them of hesitating. Now I know there are times when I trust when someone tells me “you’ll loooove this place!” We’re explorers at heart, right?

Reflection: What are some local restaurants, distilleries, and bakeries that you can share with your next guests?

The amount of creative work that goes during our preparation of our next guests, goes a long way in connecting us deeper. Sharing my space with family and friends is a blessing to me, and learning from our differences helps me be more open, compassionate, and curious.

Are you a visual learner? Below is a playlist on Hospitality from our YouTube Channel where I shared some VLOGS about our stays, our hosting chapters, and more.

As always, let me know what you think of this Blog, want more content on hospitality? What are some of your preparations? Want to brainstorm with me? Share it below or DM me! I’m at your service!

Love,

Me.