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 be grateful for the little things.

I went to the Van Gogh experience last fall. It looked interesting to me and when I mentioned it, my wife bought tickets. It was a fantastic time and for someone that isn’t all that interested in art, I felt the cost and time were well worth the experience.

Since then I’ve downloaded some wallpaper and use it on my desktop. Actually, I have three monitors, so I choose a couple pictures, a work from Van Gogh, and the coping calendar as rotating backgrounds.

The fact I can do that, I can leave up a piece of art on my desktop, and that we have amazing creative artists that produce work for us is something for which I am very grateful.

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 what values are important to you? Find ways to use them today.

I value hard work, openness and honesty, service, and kindness. I used all of these recently in a few ways.

Hard work – I had a few days off, and a slack day, but I needed to make up some work. Both because I believe in being a professional and because I have a lot to do lately before travel. I guess it also counts that I have a 2nd job as a youth sports coach, so I spend a lot of time over the winter doing that. Sometimes going from 7am to 10pm on practice days.

Openness and Honesty – Not a fun job, but I’ve had to deal with some Code of Conduct issues with SQL Saturday. I decided to be an adult and inform a couple of people personally that they were not welcome at any events. That day sucked, but I think being open and honest is important.

Service – I think we all ought to volunteer and help others where and when we can. I’ve been mentoring a few people in different ways to help with their careers. I continue to try and run SQL Saturday, which eats up some of my personal time, but I think it’s important to help the SQL Community move forward.

Kindness – A couple people, family and friends, have had some tough times. Some they’ve brought on themselves. I am only here to listen and support them. I try to show kindness and not judgment more often than not. I wish I did this all the time, but I don’t know I’ve learned how to do that.

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 set yourself a kindness mission to help others today.

A good portion of my life is helping others. SQL Server Central is about helping people in my industry, my work involves helping customers, my spare time is helping athletes become better. I’m often helping my wife with her business.

I was taught a long time ago that I should help people where I can. I pick up trash even if I didn’t drop it. I ask people if I can help them lift something or manage their lives. I’ve stopped to help people when they have a flat tire. I try to be helpful and kind wherever the opportunity arises.

For this tip, I started to try and pay attention to when I have opportunities each day. It’s spring in Colorado, and I found that I was home a lot, working before I leave town. I decided to take some evenings and give my wife a little help. She didn’t need me, and she was busy teaching. However, I’ve learned that kindness often is best when it isn’t needed.

I went out to watch her teach. I was there if she asked me to hold something or get something. I took a few pictures and some video, as I know she likes to see how the horse (or student) responds from a different angle.

Really, I was helpful by giving time. Being a companion.

One of the best things you can give to those you love.

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 make a list of what matters to most to you and why.

What matters to me? An open ended question, but here are a few things that sprung to mind.

My wife – she is the most important person in my life and makes life worth living.

My children – I am constantly impressed and proud of them as they make their way in the world as adults. They give me hope for the future.

Andy Warren – My friend, former business partner, and fellow board member at SQL Saturday. Outside of my wife, he has influenced me the most across the last 20 years.

Our animals – Two dogs, multiple cats, and even the horses. Animals change my life and remind me of how amazing, healing, and special nature is.

Redgate – My employer for the last 15 years and a great company. I really hope this is the last fulltime job I ever have.

Coaching – The interactions, the struggles, the successes of working with athletes each year bring joy to my life.

My Health – As much as I struggle with aging and my body aches, I appreciate that I am overall a very healthy individual.