Bauer Bits
September 23, 2022
From the Principal's Desk
5 Ways to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
by George Gervin
Each day, leading ourselves begins with protecting our inner peace from an overload of information and voices telling us who and where we should be in our lives.
There is nothing harmful about studying and learning from others' paths, but it can be overly detrimental when we begin to lose our sense of self and authenticity simply to appease others.
"We've been conditioned to base our self-worth on how others see us, not how we see ourselves," author and former monk Jay Shetty recently said on his award-winning podcast, On Purpose. "This is our biggest challenge and takes us away from living a happier, healthier and more meaningful life."
So how do we let go of the comparison trap? To Shetty, it ultimately comes down to five principles:
- Define what success and happiness mean to you ― When we identify our values and priorities, we create our own definition of success in the most important areas in our life. But if we don't understand what success means to us personally, we'll be forced to measure it against someone else's ideal. We must let go of the compulsion to achieve everything and be everything all at once. The seed of greatness takes time to grow and blossom. Patience becomes a transformative virtue.
- Discover your strengths ― Once we identify and refine our strengths, focus on improving yourself daily, brick by brick. Focusing on our intentional inward journey to improve and serve others with action leaves fewer opportunities to fall into the comparison trap on any given day.
- Study people's pains ― Having deep and meaningful conversations with people we look up to helps us delve below the surface of their success to understand the work ethic, resiliency and sacrifice it took them to get there. These real conversations will allow us to humanize another person's experiences and realize that no matter how incredible someone else's life looks from the outside, they are also going through something and experiencing challenges.
- Collaboration, not competition ― Instead of looking at others as our competition, view them as collaborators and allies. Seek ways to cultivate win-win relationships and partnerships so both parties can grow and evolve.
- Always be a student ― The moment you think you've won, you've lost. So rather than compare ourselves unfavorably with people, consider them resources and teachers.
Everyone else is already taken, so realize that we need to show up as ourselves.
As we embark on our day today, let's remember that everything we see on social media is merely what that person wants us to see. Let's not get caught up in the clickbait chase and comparison trap. Instead, let's simply live in accordance with our truth and moral compass.
That will always be enough.
Mark Your Calendar
Homecoming Spirit Week:
- Monday, September 26th: Airport Travel (Comfy Day)
- Tuesday, September 27th: Island Day (Hawaiian shirts, beach theme)
- Wednesday, September 28th: Blue & White Day (think the flag of Greece)
- Thursday, September 29th: Dancing Queen/70s Day
- Friday, September 30th: Hudsonville Gear Day
Please check the HPS Student Calendar for early release dates and breaks for the 2022-23 school year!
Parent Drop Off
Student Sign Out
Art News
- Mrs. Seitz
Bauer Parent Club
WALK-A-THON:
Thank you for your support of our Walk-a-thon fundraiser! The funds raised allow the Bauer Parent Club to sponsor things like new playground equipment, teacher stipends, sensory pathways throughout the school, conference and appreciation meals, educational programs like Reflex Math, field trips, 5th (and 4th) Grade Celebration, social events like Girls’ & Boys’ Nights – and more!!
While the Walk-a-thon event is today, donations will be accepted through next Friday, September 30th. If you qualified to order a t-shirt ($75+ raised), watch your inbox for that order form by next week. Raffle prizes will be awarded by class in October, our top 10 student fundraisers will receive special recognition, and our top 3 fundraising classes will be celebrated with class parties.
VOLUNTEERING:
If you’re interested in helping with some of our fun parent club sponsored events this year, please fill out this form to share how you might want to get involved. All volunteers must complete a background check. That form can be found here. This must be completed at least 24 hours in advance.
Nurtured Heart Approach: From Chaos to Calm
Emotionally exhausted parenting an intense child? Tired of nagging and reprimanding? The Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) to parenting will transform your home from chaos to calm. NHA is a trauma-informed approach consisting of three strategies to assist children in further developing their success at school and home. Most importantly, it is a relationship-rich approach with easy-to-implement strategies for building the inner wealth of children. While it was developed for the challenging child, it is best when implemented with all children.
Lisa Dykstra holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. She is an Advanced Trainer and uses the approach to support children with intense behaviors in her role as a School Social Worker where she has served students in her community for 16 years at Hudsonville Public Schools. In 2017, Lisa expanded her opportunity to combine clinical skills and NHA as she started her own private practice to support children and families as a Therapist. A strong believer in the power of relationship when working through behavioral challenges, Lisa consistently and successfully uses the Nurtured Heart Approach in both professional settings. The most meaningful application of the approach happens in her own home with her husband and their four children. In her free time, Lisa enjoys reading, crafting, spending time outside, and playing games with her kids.
*Childcare provided
When: Saturday, October 15
Cost: $75 for five-hour training
Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Park Elementary, 5525 Park Ave.
Register at hudsonvillepublicschools.org through Hudsonville Community Education
This is a school-sponsored activity through Hudsonville Community Education.
Bauer Elementary School
Email: ehuizen@hpseages.net
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/
Location: 8136 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-669-6824
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BauerElementary
Twitter: @BauerElementary