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 share a friendly smile when you encounter someone else today.
This has been something I’ve tried to do over the last year, but when wearing a mask, it’s tough to know if a smile is received.
When we stopped wearing masks in the gym (for vaccinated people), one of my yoga instructors noted that it was nice to see faces and smiles after so many months. I felt the same way.
Not everyone is in the same place, and even though we have people in my area not wearing masks, some are nervous, some struggling with the aftereffects of a year of the world changing, not working, etc.
As a result, smiles as still important. They help many of us continue to cope with the world.
I was in Florida recently for a sports event, and while many people were not masked, officials were (by requirement). Some were upset, some didn’t care, and often they pulled them down to talk with me when I was acting as the second official. However, I tried to smile a lot and welcome them when they came over.
I definitely ended up getting along with them better than some other coaches 