“Be an opener of doors” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
It all began with a postcard from Cortona, a little village in Italy that we have had the pleasure of visiting. This postcard, which hung on the inspiration board in my office for years, shows a grid of different doors found around the village. They are old, bright, cheerful, and inviting. They catch my eye and make me wonder what’s behind them.
That postcard sparked in me a fascination, and since then, I’ve been snapping my own photos of doors that draw me or inspire me.
I try to be inconspicuous and nonthreatening when I take the pictures, although so far no one has noticed or cared. I have quite a collection now.
Why this fascination? Several reasons, I think:
Beauty. The doors I choose are either friendly and welcoming or historic and time-worn. They stand out in some way.
Curiosity. What do the houses or buildings look like inside? And the people who live there or work there—what are they like?
No matter how curious I am, though, I do not just walk in uninvited, of course (unless it’s a shop). A door is the entrance to someone else’s life, home, or work. They make the decision whether to keep it locked up tight or to open it and invite others in.
Asking someone to come into your home can feel like—and even be—a risk. I know many people who do this well, and I have truly enjoyed their hospitable nature.
A few years ago, I saw an art exhibition that made me think beyond the usual scope of hospitality. Hospitality can be more than having people over for a meal, although that’s an important part of it.
It’s also about making room for people in our lives, maybe for just a moment in time—the barista who makes our coffee, the cashier who rings up our purchase. Or inviting others into our lives for a longer period—new people at work, neighbors, someone who’s struggling or lonely.
I confess I don’t always do this well, but I am working on it. I want to make space for others, extend a hand, and help them feel welcome in that moment, wherever we are.
So, welcome. My name is LeAnne Martin. I’m very glad you’re here at Glimsen. Hope you can stay awhile.
What do you think of when you hear the word hospitality? Have you had an experience with hospitality that you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below or send me an email.
At Glimsen, I share glimpses of the beauty around us in nature, the arts, and the unexpected. Click the green button below to get my posts delivered to your inbox once a week, and you'll also get a little printable gift of beauty just for signing up.
