Eppler 1 Professor Wagner 3 December 2021 Moreau Encountering & Evolving Here at Notre Dame, I feel as though I have become a better version of myself. I am at liberty to take control of my life, to make friends with people similar to me, and to fill my free time with activities that I am passionate about. I have learned so much—about myself, the world around me, and things I have yet to fully understand. I have encountered a multitude of people, experiences, and events that have changed me so much within a matter of months and helped me to evolve into the best version of myself. I have encountered diverse stories, and I will embrace them all with open arms. Notre Dame is one of the most diverse places I have been to, especially since my previous schools and hometown is made up of mostly white people from a similar socioeconomic background. In my first semester, I have encountered so many different people with unique nationalities, races, ethnicities, families, and cultures—and all of them with different stories to tell, just as I have a unique story to tell. My roommate is from Honduras, my friends down the hall and in my economics class are from Brazil, the funniest girl I have ever met is from China—and the list goes on and on as I continue to meet new people. As the Klau Center’s video explains, “every story is a testament to personal truth.” (“With Voices True Snapshot Summary” by the Klau Center Archive on Race – Moreau FYE Week Eleven. I hope to respond to these diverse stories by respecting each of them, even if they seem strange or different. After all, what makes us https://voicestrue.nd.edu/ Eppler 2 special is what makes us unique. I hope to cherish all of the diverse experiences I encounter, as well as share my story as well. I will ask polite questions if I am curious, but never judge different experiences. And I will try to be more understanding of those who are curious about my story as well. We are all but a sentence in the book that is Notre Dame—and each of us has a different story to tell. I should not judge any one else’s personal truths in the same way I wouldn’t want mine to be judged. With all of this diversity often comes divisions. Because there are so many differences between peoples at Notre Dame, I have also encountered prejudice and biases, especially towards different racial and socioeconomic groups. I will respond with taking actions into my own hands and taking a stand, especially by verbally countering prejudice beliefs. I have also seen a clear divide between different groups, especially between the Americans and the international students. Through my experience with my friends in the Latino community, I have heard of the different views that both the Americans and the Latinos have towards each other. Both of their views are very stereotyped and narrow minded. I hope to take a stronger stance by questioning these beliefs when they are presented. I am reminded of Fr. Jenkins words, in which he noted the unique calling of Notre Dame students, saying that “You here today, more than others, have the responsibility, and the training, and the commitment to address the most urgent, most strategic challenge in the country today—the challenge of reducing hatred and promoting love” (“Wesley Theological Seminary 2012 Commencement Address” by Fr. Jenkins – Moreau FYE Week Ten). I not only have a responsibility as a Catholic to promote unity and acceptance, but a special calling as a Notre Dame student. If Notre Dame is to be a force for good, then I must take part in countering biases and prejudices. https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ Eppler 3 Along with these external conflicts, I have also encountered a great number of internal conflicts, especially through the high expectations I set myself. It is easy to get caught up in how other people are doing—how Celia from down the hall completed all her homework for the next two weeks, or how Jasmine found her husband already at Domerfest. It is in my nature to create large, looming expectations of what I should do in order to become successful and satisfied with myself. However, I know that by setting unrealistic expectations, I will tire myself out, always going on an uphill climb. As Julia Hogan writes, “there’s often no threshold that puts these feelings to rest,” meaning that even achieving our expectations will often not lead to satisfaction (“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan – Moreau FYE Week Nine). I will respond to these expectations and these feelings of disappointment in myself with instead a positive praise of something good I have done. Maybe, instead of achieving my expectations, I have actually done something better for myself. For example, I did not do all the homework I needed to do over Thanksgiving break. But, instead, I spent some very much needed time with my family and watched a TV show for the first time in forever. Instead of scolding myself for not meeting my expectations, I can instead praise myself for taking time for some self-love. When encountering unrealistic expectations, I will respond with focusing on something good I have done instead, helping me to evolve into the person I want to be. These internal conflicts often amalgamate into large, looming worries. I have encountered suffering and stress, but ultimately, I know that everything is left up to God. Being at college, far from home, family, friends, and familiarity has challenged me in more ways than I expected. I often find myself overwhelmed with anxiety and missing my sisters and my warm bed (and single bathroom!). I have also been challenged in regards to my faith life. While I still attend Mass every Sunday, it has been hard for me to keep up with my spiritual and prayer life, https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau Eppler 4 and I have had my faith challenged. But, in the small moments when I go to take a breather at the Grotto or attend Milkshake Mass, I always feel more at peace and more relieved. I know that no matter how stressed I am, or how badly I did on an econ test, or how much drama there is between friends, as Moreau himself says, “All is swallowed up in victory,” (“Holy Cross and Christian Education” by Fr. James B. King, C.S.C. – Moreau FYE Week Twelve). At the end of the day, the most important part of my life—more important than my major, my career, and even my family—is my relationship with God. And since Jesus has already conquered death, my struggles are trivial in comparison to what He has done for me. I must remember to use this perspective of God’s great love for me to help ground me and keep me at peace. I will choose to respond to my struggles by not falling weak, but staying strong, and taking my problems in prayer to God. I have encountered so many things here at Notre Dame that have changed me, for better or for worse. Ultimately, I will take all of these encounters and use them to help evolve myself into the person I most want to be. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/24970/files/188305?module_item_id=105110 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/24970/files/188305?module_item_id=105110