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 take 5 minutes to sit still and just breathe.

This is a hard one for me. You’d think it was easy to just take a break and stop working, but I have lots to work on, and I feel like I could tackle something else. I usually reserve breaks for the gym, so just sitting here is hard. I get antsy.

If I was taking a 5 minute break, I’d want to hang on the inversion table and just think. At least then I’d be gett

I know I need a break, especially when I’m busy. Easy to get caught sitting at a desk too long in this business. I decided to give this a try and pick a time that works for me. Since my schedule varies a lot, depending on work meetings or life, I didn’t want a specified time on my calendar. Instead, I decided to try this each time I get up for coffee. Set a timer, roll my chair to the window and sit and breathe.

It was quite hard the first time or two, but got a little easier. I’m giving this a week to see how it goes.

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 write a short list of 3 things you feel grateful for and why.

My list:

• Health
• Finances
• Kids

Not the top list, and certainly I am grateful for my wife and my own kids, but these are additional items.

Health

I’ve been relatively healthy for most of my life. While I have bad knees and ankles, some joint issues, most of these are minor and impede my ability to be athletic, but don’t prevent it. I’ve rarely been sick. I’ve had COVID and I had the flu one other time. I get colds every 2-3 years, but for the most part, I don’t have any chronic issues.

I got some worrisome numbers at my last checkup. Nothing too bad, but for someone that mostly gets a clean bill of health, I need to change a few things as I age. I’m “pre” a few things, so I’m working to get better, but that has helped me appreciate how blessed I am, even as I need to pay more attention.

Finances

I’ve had a good career, with jobs that paid well. Nothing amazing, but I have been well compensated for most of the last 30 years. I also built and sold a business, which didn’t let me retire, but it made life comfortable for my wife and me. My wife also had a great job and provided more support for the family than I did for a long time.

We’ve invested in real estate, had good success, saved some money from corporate 401k plans, and we are in a great position. While we aren’t able to retire in our 50s, and college for kids is a bit of a strain, we are in a better position than most people in the world, and I’m grateful for the security and peace of mind that brings.

Kids

I have three adult kids, and I enjoyed watching them grow up. I enjoyed being a part of their activities, their successes, and their struggles. I am very proud of where they are in the world.

However, I miss the time I used to get with kids, watching them learn and grow. Fortunately, I have become a decent volleyball coach and can spend my hobby time there. My wife and I have spent the last 3 years together running teams of kids during the winter and spring, competing at a fairly high level.

As tired as I can get and as stressful as some events can be, I love spending 6 months with a group of kids, watching them learn, grow, struggle, and succeed. I take a lot of pleasure in seeing them later as they continue to grow and develop.

I’m grateful that these kids are a part of my life.

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 time to do something kind for yourself today.

I booked a massage. I don’t do this very often, but I took a break from life and booked a hot stone massage, always a relaxing treat in the winter.

I often tend to think about others before myself, so this was a good reminder to take care of myself.

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 pick three things you are looking forward to this year.

Well, the end of the year was great, personally, but I have no idea what to think about the future as the world still remains gripped by a pandemic. I do have a few things scheduled, and there are some things I am looking forward to.

SQL Bits – I haven’t been in a few years, apart from the pandemic. I have often had scheduling conflicts, but this year, I’m making it work. Looking forward to a trip to the UK in March.

Reno – We have a volleyball tournament scheduled in late April for Reno, a place I’ve never been. I know it’s not a hot place to go, but I’m looking forward to going and taking a day at Lake Tahoe.

Bryce Canyon National Park – This one has been on my wife’s bucket list to ride with her horse, and with 2 kids wanting to ride with her, this is the big family trip planned for the summer. After seeing the Red Rocks around Las Vegas, looking forward to checking them out in Utah.