Hotel Legends

I remember as a lad (yes I used that word) probably around 9 or so, my mom and sister working at a motel in Bellevue, it was called the Sandman Motel then.  Owned by Ruth and her husband, Mom and Sharon cleaned rooms and covered the desk when the couple would go out of town.

Perhaps that is why I had the hospitality “bug”.  A legend in the world of hoteliers is John Q. Hammons.  Mr. Hammons once told us at a staff meeting, you do this job because of one of two reasons; A) you make a lot money or B) you love people.  I didn’t retire from the hotel industry at an early age, so it must be B) for me.  Another legend is J.W. “Bill” Marriott.  He will be retiring on March 31 after over 60 years of service (does that mean he will get 3 retirement checks?) Friends who work for Marriott talk about the Marriott family values and core beliefs as if Bill had hired them himself.  He sent out a message each day while at the desk to each and every employee letting them know what was going on.

I was actually a Hilton person, spending most of my time with Embassy Suites and the DoubleTree brands.  I also worked with Holiday Inn and Best Westerns for a while.  My first stay at a Marriott property made me understand in an instant why Marriott Rewards was the number one brand for hotel guest rewards programs in the industry, their hotels seem to do it better more often.

I don’t know of too many more “family” businesses out there, that almost seems to be a another thing of the past, passing the baton from one generation to the other.  Maybe there is an “app” for that on my iPhone.

I often thought of writing a book about my experiences working and traveling in the hotel industry I would call it “From Both Sides of the Counter.” 

I think my career in hospitality helped groom me to be where I am today.  Serving others regardless if it is hotel rooms, marriage vows, relationship help or final words is a time honored tradition and something that will always be in supply.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One generation of change at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

I will praise him

It is said that Women are from Venus and men are from Mars.  And that may, or may not be true with some I know… (kidding.)


In my sessions with couples who are having a rough time, most all of the time when you drill down, when you get to the core issue it is most often communication.  I used to say or the lack of communication.  I know say that it is because we don’t know how to communicate properly.

Dr. Gary Chapman wrote the Languages of Love.   A great resource and tool for ANY relationship, partner, work, life, family… it helps you to understand that what gets you excited in a good way is what makes the next person hot under the collar OR have no impact at all. 


An example is that it is understood, largely that we all respond well to praise, perhaps males a bit more.  At work they feel respected, others come to them for advice, direction and help.  Often at home the partner is not asking, is not seeking his input but is merely “giving orders” (in his mind) by suggesting, stating what is needed or reminding what isn’t done yet. 


He needs to understand that the partner IS communicating, just not the way he is used to at work or how he learned this model growing up within his family.  He also needs to be aware that while the partner is communicating in this manner, it is not being done to be mean, intolerant or disrespectful, or nagging.  And the partner needs to understand how he views this approach to communication, it simply is not going to work in this example.  On the other hand, if the partner would be willing to give him praise for his efforts, ask his opinion (not patronize) the partner would notice much more desirable results.

You can make these changes in ANY relationship.  The challenge is the 3-C’s, Communication (correctly).  Compromise.  And Commitment.  It with all three of these components that each relationship will become healthy, nurturing, and fun!

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One human beings choice at life and religion at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Try-Tri Faith in Omaha

Diversity.  Acceptance.  Tolerance.  Love.  Respect.  Family.  Friendship.  Community.  Learning.  When you read those words, for most, I hope, thoughts of peace, good will, and good life may come to mind. 

Let’s add these words; Christianity. Islam. Secular Nonreligious Agnostic Atheist. Hinduism.  Chinese traditional religion.  Buddhism.  Primal-indigenous.  African Traditional & Diasporic.  Sikhism.  Juche.  Spiritism. Judaism. Baha'. Jainism. Shinto. Cao Dai.  Zoroastrianism.  Tenrikyo.  Neo-Paganism. Unitarian-Universalism.  Native American.  Earth Centered.  Do you have the same feeling?  I am willing that many of you will not.  In fact in some cases thoughts of intolerance, the threat of not having peace, and perhaps thoughts of violence may come to mind?  All in the name of religion. 

I have said before how proud I am of the great city of Omaha.  It is a special city that enjoys great diversity that is nestled in a state that promotes intolerance, injustice and indifference.  Most every city in the nation is seeing an increase in diverse waves of immigration that causes demographic changes, and Omaha is no exception.  In fact many here embrace it!

Huffington Post Reporter Jaweed Kaleem reports that in Omaha an interfaith organization is taking such a pattern to the next level. Tri-Faith Initiative, a partnership of Christians, Jews and Muslims that aims to foster greater interfaith relations in that Midwestern city, is kicking off a multimillion-dollar effort to bring the three Abrahamic religions onto a single 35-acre campus.

"We thought, let's intentionally choose our neighbors," says Vic Gutman, a spokesman for the Tri-Faith Initiative, which launched five years ago as a grassroots interfaith effort and quickly gained funding and community support among the city's religious leaders. "We want to form a relationship between all Jews, all Muslims and all Christians."

Gutman says the project is one of the first in the nation to intently build houses of worship of the three Abrahamic faiths next to each other. Temple Israel, an 800-family strong Reform tradition synagogue that's the oldest and biggest Jewish house of worship in the state, has plans to open by the High Holy Days in 2013.

When I shared this great news on my facebook page someone wrote other than Israel and the US, where else could this happen.  I felt that the writer was not happy about this approach.  Maybe I was wrong.  So I took that question and ran with it.

 I didn't know the answer or could even guess at that answer.  So after some research, I found 26 countries that offer freedom of religion in both real life and in their countries laws.  I was a bit surprised.  There are many countries that do not, Greece surprised me as being an intolerant country.

I also found that about 51% of Americans identify as Protestant Christians, 25% as Catholics, 6% claim other religions, and 20% claim no religion, don’t know what religion they are, or are not saying.

In a 2008 poll that was conducted 9% of Americans said religion was the most important thing in their life, compared with 45% who said family was paramount in their life and 17% who said money and their career was paramount.  Which may explain the statistic that up to 60% of the population does not attend worship on a regular basis.

I think “church” as we know it is VERY different today than when we were kids and certainly very different from when our grandparents attended church. 

It is my thought, my prayer and my hope for this world that each person, one day, can truly worship from the pew of their choice without intolerance, indifference or injustice from another human being.  And that one day, there will be no longer be bloodshed in the name of any religion.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One human beings choice at life and religion at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Sleep

In December I had a few weeks that I was ill.  Sleeping is a good thing for us all, hard for me at time.  And good, deep, long sleep is a premium for me.  My doctor and I went over some things I could do to insure that I am preparing for a good sleep…

We talked about the mattress being in good conditions, the mattress pad can make a difference, and is there a protective mattress cover to keep dander and dead skin at bay.  Then it was on to pillows, pillow cases and the number of pillows and type of pillows. 


Then we talked about the use of “natural” sleeping aids to use before bedtime.  These aids are bedtime rituals that are known for their sleep-soothing and unwinding effects.  Walking before bedtime is a great way to prepare for a good night sleep. A hot bath will help relax you mentally and physically.  A glass of warm milk with honey can help soothe the day away!  A good book is better than helping count sheep and classical music can help to let body and mind glide into a pleasant state of relaxation.


If you are a person who has a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep or getting sleep by no means should you exert yourself before bedtime.  If possible television should be switched off one hour before going to bed to let the nerves settle down and let your mind clear.  You should not work out in the late evening hours or practice demanding physical trainings, since this rather stimulates your mind and thoughts and does not let the mind shut down as fast or as easy.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One good night sleep at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Moral Compass

Some people I was in a gathering with were having a conversation about the morality of the President elect.  Of course we know that many politicians have had “issues”… Bill (oh Bill), Newt (oh Newt), Arnold (You probably won’t be back…) and of course who can forget John Edwards, Larry Craig, Strom Thurmond, and Mark Foley to name a few.

What always amazes me the most is how many times “these” people are the ones who are waving a finger in our face about morality, principles, and high standards.  And often shaking fists and groups of people sharing their views about how they are not family values, American values, community values and the right values.

I don’t think that “issues” will ever go away.  There will always be someone who errors in judgment and makes a mistake.  The MOST frustrating part, for me, I would like someone right away, to stand up and say YES I DID DO IT!  They normally only do that when they are “forced” to out of fear of it becoming a scandal or having it held over their heads.

Accepting responsibility and working through it says a lot a friend said.  My thought was what says a lot to me is if they would not have done it in the first place.

Relationships are a quirky thing, to me, in America.  “Swinging” allowing couples (yes married ones) to have sexual relations with other people outside of the marriage (normally in control settings) is not new and is very much an alive and growing “community” in this country.  Tell me again why two people who are of the same sex should not be allowed to get married and enjoy the same privileges and benefits?

Accountability and responsibility I think are the two words that should be use to define who we are and who we want to lead us and represent us as a politician.  We normally tend to surround ourselves with like minded people (WEW, really?  It would be very difficult for me to extend an invitation to many of the politicians from the house or senate to our dining room table.)

Joking aside, we too often don’t give much thought to what our goals, values, and standards are for ourselves and for our families.  We can be quick to judge others.  What happens when we use that compass on ourselves?

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One look at the compass at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Sexual Violence

The USA Today (December 15^th, 2011) reported that a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention learned that nearly 1 in 5 females and 1 in 71 men have report being raped in their lifetime.  Among females, 30% reported being first raped when they were between 11 and 17 years old.

As you pass a co-worker, a neighbor, a family member, a friend, someone you worship with, shop with, or are served by there is strong probability that someone within your circle of life has been a victim of sexual violence. 

Unfortunately sexual abuse scandals are nothing new for this country and most communities.  The 64 million dollar question is how do we prevent sexual violence?  I don’t know that “we” do, but I know YOU (and me) need to.

Know that silence does not equal consent.

Don’t blame rape victims for the violence perpetrated against them. 

Take responsibility for your own sexuality; don’t let it be defined by your partner, the media, or anyone else. 

Do not use alcohol and/or drugs to get someone to have sex with you. 

Do not participate in sexist behavior by objectifying or stereotyping women. 

Teach everyone you know about the myths and realities of sexual violence. 

Interrupt rape jokes. 

Challenge images of violence against women in advertising, pornography, professional wrestling, and other forms of media. 

Support women and men working to end sexual violence by volunteering your time, donating money, and/or lobbying legislators. 

Recognize that sexual violence will not end until men become part of the solution.

Respect human life; every human being.

This blog will not end sexual violence.  Talking about instead of sweeping it under the carpet is the only way we can bring it to the surface to feel comfortable having discussions that will lead to change in behavior.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One act of sexual violence prevented at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone

402-575-7006.  105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA. 

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Choices

Acura.  Chevrolet. Ford. Chrysler.  Toyota.  Kia.  Nissan.  Mitsubishi. BMW.  Mercedes.  Honda.  Saab.  Volvo.  Volkswagen.  Subaru.  Suzuki. 

Master Card.  Discover.  Visa.  American Express.  Diners Club.  JCB.  UATP. 

Almonds. apples. black beans. cauliflower.  cinnamon. coffee. cottage cheese. eggs. garlic. lentils. olive oil. parmesan. pears. Portobello mushrooms. quinoa. red bell peppers. tomatoes. vinegar. wild salmon. yogurt.

As such, there are choices in life.  Where we live.  What we eat.  What we drive.  What we wear.  What we live in. What we watch.  And the list goes on and on.

The same is true for; Religion.  Faith.  Life path.  Christianity. Islam. Secular Nonreligious Agnostic Atheist. Hinduism.  Chinese traditional religion.  Buddhism.  Primal-indigenous.  African Traditional & Diasporic.  Sikhism.  Juche.  Spiritism. Judaism. Baha'. Jainism. Shinto. Cao Dai.  Zoroastrianism.  Tenrikyo.  Neo-Paganism. Unitarian-Universalism.  Native American.  Earth Centered.

I did an unofficial poll.  On an average, many people, when asked what religions can they name, named: Christianity, Catholic, Judasim, Islam, Mormon, Native/Indian, and Buddhism. 

When you do a bit of research you quickly realize that when you poll the globe, a large group in the US may not even be a blip on the screen according to the top 50 rankings of world religions.

I do believe that connecting or knowing what you believe in is important.  I also know that equally or more importantly it is right to respect the path or choice of your neighbor who may not have the same views or connection as you do.

I really do believe that there is a common thread among all human beings AND that just like snowflakes no two humans are identical, nor will their believe in faith, religion or life path. 

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves.  One day.  One journey.  One person.  One choice at a time.

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary. and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching. couples coaching. life coaching. and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care-serving all. without exception!  Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers Premarital Coaching. Couples Coaching. Funeral Ministers. End of Life Planning. Pastoral Care and Pathways Worship.

To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. 105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE and 500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA.  Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals