Say Hey!

Before the Diamondbacks, anyone growing up in Phoenix was either a Dodgers fan (games were radio broadcasted from LA) or a San Francisco Giants fan (their minor league team was abased here – the Phoenix Giants). I was a Giants fan. I even have all of the 1970's autographs of the greats including a bat and ball signed by Hall of Famer, the “Say Hey Kid” himself– Willie Mays.

Mays was famous for his greeting, “Say Hey!” to everyone he encountered – so much so he will forever be known as the “Say Hey Kid” and for the legendary smile that followed. Everybody loved Willie Mays!

A few years back, I experienced another type of “Say Hey”. I officiated the wedding of a relative and they wanted to pay my way to Colorado Springs for the event. I was happy to do it and another holiday Inn stay would not hurt me a bit. I had no idea where I was going and when my rental car took me to the gates of the Five-Star resort, The Broadmoor, I was sure there was a mistake. I have experienced some nice hotels (ok, I worked at them) but I had never seen anything like this.

From the moment I entered the property of The Broadmoor, I was greeted, welcomed and smiled at by every single employee I passed. From a busboy on his way to the dining room, to housekeepers cleaning someone else's room as I was just walking by, I heard, “Good morning!” Within my first half-day I must have been greeted 30 times, and so had the other 1000 people staying at the Resort. It was contagious – because the guests were greeting each other as well.

At first, I will admit, it felt strange. By the second day, I was ready for it. By the third, I was convinced that Disneyland could no longer claim to be the happiest place on earth. It was the culture of the Broadmoor to be welcoming to every guest or employee that anyone encountered. It alone made it a five-star experience – much more so than the lap of luxury that surrounded me.

We already have that going for us as we are known for our boundless welcoming spirit. However, is there room to take it up to an even higher level and make it a Five-Star experience for anyone walking around Beatitudes Campus? There is always more room to make someone else's life happier. If you haven't tried it yet, try greeting any and every one at every turn and watch what happens. It is contagious. Just say hey! Try it – we all deserve a five-star experience.*

Author Info: Rev. David Ragan, Sr. VP Resident Services

Rev. David W. Ragan is the Senior Vice President of resident services at Beatitudes Campus.