Voice of the DBA

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to look at life through someone else’s eyes and see their perspective.

In today’s world, in many places, I find that people lack the ability to look at the world through other’s eyes. We’ve lost some empathy and willingness to examine things from another perspective. This is especially true during the pandemic, where politics and frustrations seem to be overwhelming.

I have my own views, but I had the chance to hang out with a friend recently. This person sees the world differently than I, but I decided to understand, not argue or complain. In this case, the person talked a bit about why they agreed or disagreed with particular decisions or actions by the state or individuals. I asked questions for clarification or more detail, but allowed this person to educate me on their point of view.

It was a good conversation, in a way that’s often lost in the media or in larger groups. I didn’t agree with everything, and did feel there were some emotions overriding logic, but I could understand and appreciate the perspective, even if I disagreed with portions.

I like these conversations and I wish we could have more of them in small groups, in a civilized fashion.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here.

Today’s tip is to go outside, play, walk, run, exercise, relax.

Last Friday Colorado moved a number of counties to the “red” level for the pandemic. We also added a “purple” level to our dial of risk. I appreciate trying to manage things, while also finding ways for life to move forward.

This means that for some people, the level of restriction that exits precludes much ability to leave your house. However, I haven’t seen a complete lockdown anywhere that prevents any leaving.

You have your own tolerance for risk, but for me, going outside to walk a little, to take a trip to a store or restaurant (even with contactless delivery/pickup), or even to go say hi to a neighbor from a distance is worth it. There is something about being in nature, even in a city, being outside, looking around, enjoying life away from the four walls of my residence that I like.

I’m lucky, on a ranch with the need to go outside regularly, especially if something is broken, but I appreciate the ability to walk outside in cities when I travel, taking a moment to enjoy life outside, watch the world, and walk, run, or even sit with a drink and see the world around me.

Recently I’ve been chatting with some friends, and I left my desk to walk outside and continue the conversation there. It helps when you have a couple friends hanging out as well.