The Art of Welcome Series

Before the first door opens, there is a moment that belongs to the host alone. For me, it’s a quiet morning with coffee — the calm before movement, when the air feels steady and the house hasn’t yet filled with footsteps.

Hosting asks for constant presence. It’s a profession built on care, but that same care can drain the host if there’s no pause to restore it. The work of welcome takes more energy than it shows, and it’s easy to forget that hospitality also includes yourself.

My own welcome happens in stillness. A few minutes of quiet, a pen in hand, the first sip of coffee. Writing has become a way to listen to my own thoughts before spending the day listening to everyone else’s.

A host who never stops to breathe begins to run on routine, not warmth. To keep the welcome real, the host must also be at peace within.

Personal quote:
“The host who welcomes others best is the one who has first welcomed their own rest.”

Call to action:
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Deon Host Whisperer
Still Hosting. Still Standing. Still Grateful.