I'm just going to admit it. The past few months have been hard, and it's been a challenge to incorporate hospitality into my everyday life. For weeks now, I seem to think of friends and family who could use a call/text, thank you note, sympathy card, "get well" meal, or "thinking of you" gift. The problem is that I think about these things, but, more often than not, I do not act.
This is embarrassing. I promote an online business dedicated to the art of hospitable and thoughtful living, but I cannot seem to practice what I preach lately.
So, why am I admitting this to you? I want you to know that you are going to experience "hospitality slumps." It's reality! There will be seasons when it's just harder to reach beyond yourself to serve others. I am learning some important lessons in this season, though, and I want to share them with you!
Hospitality doesn't have to be hard or time consuming.
In busy or tough times, you may only have capacity to send quick emails or text messages to check on friends. You may have to send a gift card instead of making a meal or sending a thoughtful gift. You may only have time for a five-minute call instead of a long face-to-face visit. That's okay! The trick is just to follow-through in small ways.
We are happiest when we focus on encouraging and helping other people.
I, unfortunately, am guilty of believing the lie that I am too busy or not in the right frame of mind to be hospitable. It's a trap! I ran into a quote this week by Robin Sharma: "Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more." This is so true! Focusing on others is a cure for the blues. It shifts your perspective and gives meaningful and lasting purpose to your life. And don't forget that hospitality is contagious! You never know what chain reactions you can start with your kindness and generosity.
Give yourself grace in this season.
We all face hard times! Our capacity for hospitality has to ebb and flow with real life. Reach out for help if you need it, too. Your honesty about life circumstances may give someone else an opportunity to encourage and show hospitality to you! We need each other!