Tag: 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.

Today’s tip is to share an encouraging news story to inspire others.

The news is full of bad stuff. I really enjoyed the SGN network, and I hope it comes back soon. In any case, I try not to check too often, mostly because there is lots of bad news.

However, I have some good news. Or at least maybe, no news about something, which is good news.

I coach volleyball and half our season was cancelled this spring. Sometime late in the spring, there was an opportunity for us to bring our team to the AAU national finals in Orlando, FL, USA. I had no interest in going, nor did the parents of the kids I coached, but some teams were interested. The club where I coach ended up sending 3 teams in mid July to Orlando.

At a time when case, deaths, and more from COVID-19 were growing.

The event ended up going fine, with no kids, coaches, or parents getting sick. Lots of precautions, lots of spacing, and things worked out well. A review of the event talked about some of the things that they did to keep everyone safe. So far, reviews from other coaches, news, etc., show that there haven’t been any outbreaks from this event.

I wondered how things would work. We have held practice in Colorado since late May, sometimes girls masked, sometimes not, but without incident. There have been some people with fevers or other concerns, with those affected skipping events and getting tested, but so far no spread or positive cases.

That’s good news.

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 be thankful for your food and the people who made it possible.

At home, it’s usually me that cooks. I enjoy it, and I appreciate it when someone else does cook. It was a real treat a month or so ago when my son came down, bought supplies, and made sushi for me while I got to sit at the counter and relax.

As someone that’s worked in lots of restaurants, I appreciate the work people put into cooking and serving food. During the pandemic, I’ve rarely gotten prepared food, but I have gotten a few meals. In particular, one of my local groceries has fresh sushi they make. I make it a point to complement the chefs there and thank them for making it.

I also try to stop and think about how hard it must be for certain people to work in the restaurant business, owners, cooks, servers, etc., all struggling I’ve tipped more, and as I write this, my wife and daughter are heading to town to a local Poke bowl place. We used to get bowls and sushi there, but the owner had to shrink is menu to just ramen and poke. My wife tries to go once a week to support him and say hi.

Always remember your circumstances, no matter how hard or easy, are not what others experience. Keep empathy in mind.

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 contact a friend to let them know you’re thinking of them.

When the pandemic hit, and we locked down travel and most interactions, I felt isolated. I started these tips back in March. I can’t believe I’m still doing these after 4 months. I also cam surprised how much they help me.

One of the ideas I had early on in March was to reach out to friends that I expected to see, but was suddenly separated from. I had it a point to reach out to 2-3 people every couple days and check on them. I picked up my phone, or Facebook, or email, and randomly hit a letter. I then picked a person and sent a “I’m fine, how are you doing” message. I was surprised how often this led to a 3-4 message exchange, taking up a few minutes of our day, before we both moved on.

I still do that, albeit a bit less, but I’m randomly checking on people, especially a few people that I know have had some difficulties and are struggling. I’d encourage you to do the same.

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 smile and be friendly, even when physical distancing.

I’m not out too much, and often when I am in a public business, I am wearing a mask. While I’ve looked at a mirror when I smile with a mask, it can be hard to tell if that’s what I’m doing.

However, I am at various outdoor places, without a mask. Whenever I am, I try hard to smile at more people. Wave, be cheerful, let them know there is still happiness in the world.