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. All my coping tips are under this tag.

Today’s tip is to give people the gift of your full attention.

I have been making it a point to do this, especially with my wife. In the past, she might make a comment or want to tell me something while we’re watching TV. I often might be unwinding with a game on my phone, but I’ve decided to put my phone down and pause the TV to listen.

I’m also making a point to put my phone away, or not check it when someone is talking to me. If I’m expecting some call, I might make a check, but I’m going out of my way to dedicate my attention.

I’m also doing this on my Zoom calls where I’m an active participant. I shrink all other windows on my machine (Outlook, Twitter, etc.) and focus on the call. If I’m just listening in on some update, that might not be the case.

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 donate unused items, clothes, or food.

The pandemic was a time that a lot of people donated things, which is good. I am hopeful that a lot of those items were re-homed to people who could use and appreciate them.

I changed coaching jobs this year, and I realized that I had a lot of clothing from the previous place. I decided that many of the shirts were relatively lightly used, including some nice polos and winter pullovers. While I might go back at some point, getting new things isn’t an issue, so I should donate these items to others.

A few are really nice cold weather clothes, including a few jackets, that I’ve enjoyed wearing away from coaching because they were comfortable and well made. I’m also a bigger person (2XL), so there is sometimes a dearth of those clothes at Goodwill or other thrift shops.

I packaged up a bunch of stuff, added in some outdoor things (bikes, tools we don’t use) and took them down on a donation run to the Goodwill store.

Now I need to do a donation to the food bank as well.

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 thankful for your food and the people who make it possible.

I’m usually the one that makes food, especially dinner, possible at the ranch. I do most of the shopping and cooking.

However, I know that a lot of others are involved. I appreciate the farmers and ranchers who make food possible in stores, and others in the supply chains that keep the stock going. As someone that has worked in restaurants as a cook, waiter, and bartender, I have an appreciation for the work involved, and the effort to do a good job.

I am thankful that food is plentiful and easy for me to acquire in the modern world.

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 kind online. Share positive and supportive comments.

“Are you a better version of yourself online?”

I had someone ask this question a few years ago and it struck me as something I should pay attention to often. When I post something, is it something I’d say face to face? Is it something that I might be embarrassed about with my kids or my Mom? Am I improving my reputation with friends or strangers or making it worse?

All things I think about. Since then, I try to mentally behave and be a better person online. I might lightly joke, troll, or pick on friends, but I do make an effort to be positive and supportive.