Tag: coping

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

Today’s tip asks:  What are your most important values. Use them today

One of my big values is to be understanding and kind. I naturally have a lot of empathy, and I try to go with that. I try to appreciate other viewpoints. I’m not always successful, but I do try.

As my kids struggle with exams at the end of the semester, I have been avoiding trying to give them advice, suggest things, try to help, or admonish them for struggling. I appreciate the difficulties and am just being a listener and supporter.

And I’m baking things they like to eat.

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

Today’s tip is tell someone about why your favorite music means a lot to you.

You’re the someone today.

I love music. In fact, I avoided Android as a mobile OS for years because my early experiences showed it to be a much worse experience for music than iOS. At one point I had an Android phone and every picture I took interrupted my music. As someone that travels a lot and enjoys music, I switched back a few weeks later to an iPhone.

Even today, I think the iPhone is still much better as a music device than Android, but without a headphone jack, I won’t go back. Of course, I might lose that on Android soon, so maybe I will go back.

In any case, music has been a big part of my life. I fondly remember listening to 45s as a kid, hanging out in record stores, trying to learn songs on my guitar, and spending hours and hours with a single album. Some memorable long sessions:

• a 6-7 hour trip in high school on a bus listening to Hot Rocks 1964-1971.
• a long, slow, multiple train trip from London to Madrid with just a cassette player and Billy Joel Greatest Hits vol 1 and vol 2
• Driving cross country, alternating the radio with 1999 and Rio.

Music evokes emotion, excitement, inspiration, and escape for me. Even now, I listen to music often while working, constantly while traveling, and usually in the gym.

Music is something that enriches and enhances my life.

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

Set yourself on a kindness mission. Give your time to help others.

I’ve been doing this a few times across the last month. My family hasn’t always been thrilled, but I’ve tried to help others cope by inviting a family over once in awhile. Outside, with them bringing their own refreshments and chairs, but getting the chance to just be outside, have some space, and get away from their routine.

I always appreciate when I can do that, and I’m trying to bring some kindness to others.

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

Let someone you love know how much they mean to you.

An easy one for me. This has been a hard time for everyone in my family, for different reasons. My wife is the most important person in the world, and I’ve been making an effort to tell her that more often during these times.