Tag: coping

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. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to focus on what’s good, even if today is tough.

Most days haven’t been too tough lately. Colorado is opening up a bit more, I’m able to get out of the house and off the property a touch more. While I don’t see too many more people, a little freedom is nice. Or at least, the illusion of freedom. About the only thing that’s changed is a few more restaurant visits.

However, I did tweak my back recently. I was trying to do some work outside, strained a bit, and got some lower back pain. It took me a day to get to the doctor, and I was in some pain during the afternoon and night.

Easy to get upset or angry or have one of any other negative emotions. I stopped and told myself that I was still mostly healthy, this was my fault, it was a minor inconvenience, and things would be better soon.

I went inside, lay down, played some guitar and read, finding a way to enjoy the day.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to contribute positively to a good cause for your community.

Winter is usually not too bad in my area, but we do get storms once in awhile. This used to be more of a hassle when I had kids in school, or I had to go to the airport, but now it’s not too bad. Worst case, I can’t go to the gym that day and need to figure out meals from what’s in the house.

However, when we get more than a few inches, it can make driving hard. Recently we had a decent storm, which meant that part of the trails to the hay feeders gets hard to traverse. I sometimes run the tractor and blade down those trails.

This time, when I did, I also took 20-30 minutes to go down my driveway, which helps me, but also down the 1/4 mile road I live on, clearing a space for others. A few people have tractors, but we somewhat randomly take turns doing this.

I decided to take my turn.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to get outside and notice 5 beautiful things.

It’s winter, and it’s cold. Still, you can find beauty in little things. I decided to grab a few shots recently while I was outside. Here are my beautiful things:

• Azure – she think’s she’s co-trainer with my wife. She’s ready to start, waiting for the horse to be saddled.
• Vega – She was running around, and stopped to wait for me. Quite patiently.
• The view in the snow from the front yard. Always makes me smile.
• Sun in Denver; a big reason we moved here.
• A new tool, Ranger 570. The old one is old, and this gives us a spare, which will make repairs easier. However, this is also a really nicely engineered machine.

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. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to eat something new and healthy today.

A few weeks ago, I was in the Colorado mountains with my wife. We were late getting started, and stopped to grab a bite to eat as an early lunch. I decided to try and eat better here and chose a “power bowl” from a restaurant. It was a combination of rice and quinoa with a number of vegetables piled on. I thought it was delicious, in addition to being visually appealing, and decided to duplicate some of it at home.

I grabbed these ingredients at home the next week and have had this for lunch a few times, assembling things for me and my wife:

• mixed greens (instead of the rice/quinoa)
• cucumber (chopped)
• tomatoes ( I prefer smaller ones, sliced in half)
• avocado – sliced or cut into chunks
• red onion – thinly sliced
• chicken – sautéed with salt, pepper, dash cumin, paprika, garlic powder
• calmata olives
• feta cheese
• balsamic vinaigrette

I tend to cut the cucumber, tomato, and onion up and keep a couple days worth in plastic. I’ll do the chicken up, but chop up a couple portions on demand. I use chunk feta and olives in separate containers and then add them as needed. I prefer more feta, and my wife doesn’t like olives, so I customize those.

I’ll usually cut open an avocado and slice that with chicken. The rest I assemble in a bowl on top of greens, add some dressing, and then toss. Usually I’ll just use two bowls if my wife is eating, and do each next to the other.