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 donate some unused items, clothes, tech, etc. to a local charity.

This has been something I’ve done a few times, and in fact, I had a few bicycles that the kids had outgrown in a shed. I tried to donate them recently, but I missed the donation hours, which had been reduced.

In writing this tip, I loaded those up and drove them down. This allows them to be used by someone else, at a low price (I donate to Goodwill) and this supports that organization’s efforts.

BTW, I saw a few friends renovating their kitchens or bathrooms. If you are doing this and have nice cabinets that you are just changing, consider donating to Habitat for Humanity. They will do the deconstruction if the cabinets can be resold.

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 breathe. In for a count of 3, hold for 3, exhale for 3, and pause for 3. Repeat for a few minutes.

I practice yoga regularly, and across a few years, I actually started to believe and trust that my breath mattered. Too often breathing is a secondary, albeit necessary, activity while exercising. We breathe because we have to, not because we consciously focus on it.

My wife suggested this, as something she does with her students when they get stressed with horses. Slow down and pause by breathing. Specifically, count to three as you breathe in. Then hold your breath for an equal count. Exhale for the same count, and then pause before you take another breath for the same count.

It’s surprising how much concentration this takes, and also how it will relax you and slow your heart rate. Take a few minutes and try this today.

For me, I do this regularly now, especially when I feel too busy and stressed, or I’m unsure of what to do next. I get the paralysis from too many choices at times, and stopping to breath for a minute or two can help me relax.

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 get a long hug from someone that is important to you.

I’ve seen research in the past that hugs are beneficial. A couple years ago my wife said that a 10s hug is a good idea, and I started to try it. Those of you that know me well and have seen me at an event in the last year might have gotten a long, perhaps slightly uncomfortable hug.

My apologies if you felt that way,  but most people tense up after 2 seconds, but relax after 5 and go with it, especially when I explain they’re here for 10 seconds. A few people, including one of my son’s, have started to look forward to them.

We had dinner with a friend recently, and when I walked up, she stood up, ready for her “bear hug”, as she calls it. It was a nice ten seconds, both of us whispering how good it was to see each other.

A bonus for her, since she got 20s of hugs, one each from my wife and I.

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 try a new recipe or food.

I realize that not everyone likes to cook. I know some of you don’t even love food like I do. However, we all eat, and food can bring joy to your life, whether that’s ordering something different from a restaurant or preparing something new.

My wife got me to watch Chef, which was quite enjoyable for me. When we finished, she said she’d never had a Cuban sandwich. I was surprised, thought not as surprised as her. I’ve had them numerous times when I’ve visited places with lots of Cuban food, like Miami.

I would have made her one, but before I could, we were out one day and decided to look for Cuban food. We found a place and she tried one. I did, too

In any case, I also ordered some other items. I got some Maduros and a Palermo. I hadn’t tried those before, though I have had plantains in some recipes. I enjoyed these much more, and I’ll be looking for some recipes to try at home to expand my cooking.