Over the past few months, my business and the industry I love the most (hospitality and travel) have been hit incredibly hard by COVID-19. . Many companies that I’ve admired have already gone under. Some are on the brink. Many are lost, and a few have found their new way of doing business. . Going through a global epidemic like the one we just experienced (currently experiencing) really brings things into perspective. . It shines a light on what is really important to you. Brings you closer to the things you love... Family. Health. Peace. . but unfortunately, it forces you (if you like it or not) to shine the light on certain realities. Failure. Loneliness. Injustice. Death. . Over the past few days, we've watched our great cities go up in flames. People from all over our nation feel a great divide. Feel unjust. Feel separated and alone. . In such a connected world how can we be so far apart? . How is it that with a few clicks on your cell phone you can be welcomed into a stranger’s home, experience a new culture, create life long memories but at the same time be part of a world that seems to misunderstand, despise and hate each other? . I’m saddened not only by the ongoing battle with COVID-19 and the lives and businesses it continues to affect but I’m mostly saddened by the fact that our brothers and sisters are at arms with each other. Killing and stealing from each other.We all are. . Now, it’s not my place to preach right or wrong, pick a side, or even state that I can even start to understand the struggles of another person. . but it is my place to do everything in my power to unite as many people as I can through the means that have been given to me. . Uniting people regardless of background, beliefs, and origins. . To share what I believe not only drops borders and rids fears but unites the world and creates understanding. . There has never been a time when it’s more important to realize that although every human is unique and every community, city, state, and country has its own culture, at the core we are all extremely similar. . We are humans sharing this experience we call life, together. And there is no better way to discover this simple truth than to welcome a PERSON into your home. To SERVE a fellow human. Hospitality unites us by shining a light on what we have in common, by opening pathways of understanding, by connecting people of all kinds. This is how we make our contribution to erasing borders and making the world a better place. So I make a call to all fellow hospitality GIVERS to open your doors, connect with your fellow man, and do your part to understand. As you grow, bring the others with you and together we will make our own mark on history and make this experience a connected one. We have a bigger part to play. The meaning of “host” just became a bit more important. Stay safe. Stay positive. #hospitalityunites
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