Tag: life

  • Daily Coping 20 Dec 2021

    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 look for something positive to say to everyone you speak to.

    In general, I’m a fairly positive person and I think most others are as well. I smile at people, wave, greet them, and get positive responses overall.

    I’m writing this a few days in advance, and while I didn’t see a lot, I did interact with a few people.

    • I stopped for coffee in the morning and made it a point to greet the person, ask how they were, smile, and wish them well.
    • I went to coach and greeted parents, thanking them for coming and supporting their kids. You’d think they’d all be there, but often I have only 1 of 2, or sometimes none there.
    • I did have to be hard on kids, but I did make a point of cheering things they did well and telling them where I liked their action or effort before asking for changes.
    • I made it a point to thank the staff at the venue, as well as ensure my team cleaned up their space.
    • Stopping for dinner, positive comments before and after the meal to staff, thanking them for their work and wishing them happy holidays.
    • Letting my son and wife know it was good to spend some time with them in the evening.

    Often I find myself thanking others for things they would do, or are responsible for, regardless of what I do. I know I’ve worked in the service industry, and it is nice to have some recognize you, even when it’s your job.

  • Daily Coping 16 Dec 2021

    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 see how many different people you can smile at today.

    I’m writing this a bit before, but I saw this item, so I started to track the list:

    • Guy at the ATV shop
    • Two people at the tire shop, as I walked by and stopped to say hi.
    • Repairman that came to the house
    • Receptionist at the gmy
    • Three random people I saw while working out.
    • Gas station attendant (no gas, just a soda Winking smile )
    • parent and receptionist at the volleyball gym
    • Team and coaches practicing before us (13)
    • My team (10).
    • My son

    Not a bad list for one day.

  • Daily Coping 15 Dec 2021

    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 buy an extra item and donate it to a local food bank.

    I used to volunteer and get items for the Elizabeth food bank. These days I’m mostly in Parker as part of my life, so I’m going to start making regular donations there. I went to the site, got their list of items needed, and will be purchasing some of these to drop off.

    Lots of these are kid related items, and I hate to think about kids struggling, so I’m focusing my efforts there.

  • Daily Coping 14 Dec 2021

    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 listen wholeheartedly to others without judging them.

    This is similar to a few tips across the last year, and for me, it’s one I’ve been working on. As I find myself hearing someone else complain or cheer or anything, I’m trying to let the words and feelings wash over me and avoid judging or projecting my own feelings onto them.

    I’ve had some success, but I still need to remind myself of this. Without disclosing names, I was listening to someone tell be about their success with finances and work this year. Rather than compare myself, or view them as a bit arrogant, I cheered on their success in my mind. It’s hard to not compare or examine how I feel I’ve done this year against them, but I was working to limit this to a “could I do better” than a I or them was more successful.

    I think I did this well internally. Externally, I just congratulated them and listened to their joy, feeling good for them.

    I had another friend who is having a hard time in life and getting together with others. My initial thought was that some of their complaints are self-created, but I worked to stop myself from judging them and instead just listening and providing the support and sympathy I can. No advice, no suggestions, nothing but “I’m here for you.”