Week 14 - Capstone Integration Three Professor Oswald Moreau FYE Capstone Integration 26 April 2022 A Discernment of What I Want To Do, Who I Am Now, and Who I Want To Be As my first year at Notre Dame draws to an end, I have begun reflecting on all of the new experiences that I have had, the amazing, genuine people that I have met, and the multitude of life lessons that I have learned. For me, the idea of college has transformed throughout the entirety of this year. Before coming to Notre Dame, college was intimidating. I was about to enter a new environment, states away from home, with people who I had never met before, and I was very scared. However, upon coming to campus, my fear vanished, and excitement took its place. This is the time in my life where my main job is to figure out what makes me, me. I took risks, put one foot in front of the other, and viewed each day as a learning experience. As a result of the culmination of everything that I have learned this year, I have begun to develop what I believe to be a mission statement that will lead me to a life well-lived; it is a combination of effort, morality, and growth. Already, living by the moral code outlined in the statement has led to a more fruitful, satisfying life, and I am excited to continue to uphold it as I enter my next three years at Notre Dame. As of now, my mission statement is as follows: I will strive to do my best, learn from my mistakes, and follow a path of righteousness, in all facets of my life, to ensure that I am continually developing into the best version of myself and acting as a force for good in this world. A lasting theme throughout my freshman year at Notre Dame is self-reflection, and recognizing the importance of taking time away from school work and other prevalent everyday demands to slow down and focus inwards. This has helped me to learn what it takes to fulfill my mission statement, as taking breaks to reflect will help me to feel my best, so that I can, in turn, do my best. A quote that put self-reflection into perspective for me states, “The need for an empty space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones; it’s the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape” (“Why We Need to Slow Down our Lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week 1). Here, Pico Iyer compares taking a “pause” to a “rest in a piece of music,” and in doing so transforms something that I previously thought of as not only unnecessary but inconvenient, into something that adds beauty to life. This quote resonated with me and came at a time when I needed it most. At the beginning of this year, I was stressed, scared, and feeling overwhelmed by my classes and coursework. I was not taking breaks, I was not prioritizing myself, and in doing so, I was losing myself. As bad as it sounds, I was living to work, not working to live. My mental health was at a low, and it was not aided by the changing, bitter weather and cold. However, Iyer’s quote reminded me that work is not everything that life is about. Yes, it is important to complete my homework, however, I have come to learn it is equally as important to take time for peace and reflection. Once I began taking a few moments each day to do something that makes me happy, whether that was taking a walk, a nap, or hanging out with friends, my mentality greatly improved. Whereas before, school felt chore-like, I was now excited for each new day. This life lesson about the importance of stepping away from work to focus on my internal needs, will not only lead me to live a life well-lived but will also help me put my mission statement into action. From this experience I learned that in order to do my best, https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ I need to feel my best, and for that reason, I need to take care of myself, take time for rest and breaks, and prevent burnout over these next three years. Another fundamental aspect of my mission statement is morality. Each and every day I hope to strive to be a better person than I was the day before, which sometimes means taking the path less traveled. The idea of taking the path of righteousness in each situation is a little daunting because it is much easier said than done, however, the life story of Father Hesburgh dispelled any anxiety that I held. One particular quote that spoke to me most throughout his movie states, “Noone likes to look at the heart of darkness…the real solutions are painful” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week 2). Throughout his lifetime, Hesburgh was compassionate even in the hardest moments. He held morality as a top priority and led an extraordinary life, which provided me with an example of someone I wanted to mirror my actions after. There have been many moments throughout my experience at Notre Dame where I have been faced with difficult decisions and acted in a way that was right but was extremely hard. One social example is gossiping. I have many friends who love to gossip about any topic, and generally, it is harmless until it becomes about people that we know well. It is at these moments that I am automatically uncomfortable in the conversation because I put myself in the shoes of the person being talked about, and I feel shame. It is a tough thing to take a stand against gossiping, however, because you risk adding awkwardness to the conversation, or being left out of other conversations due to not being “cool.” Though, to fulfill my goal of living with righteousness, like Father Hesburgh, I speak up and have learned to change the course of the conversation without adding awkwardness or coming across harshly. This is an incredibly useful skill that I have developed, and one that I hope to keep improving. I believe that if I continue to act in a way that reflects my best possible self each day, I will not only grow towards living a life https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 well-lived, but I will continuously act in a way that exemplifies and utilizes my mission statement. By doing so, I will create a moral foundation on which I hope to make the positive impact that I hope for over these next three years at Notre Dame. As I have begun to try to transform my mission statement into a lifestyle, I have the hardest part to be holding myself accountable. There is always an excuse, such as “Oh, today wasn’t a good day, I will start implementing it tomorrow” or “I am tired, I will put effort towards this later” etc. However, one lady who helped remind me of the urgency for actively living my mission statement is Sister Athelia, a nun who reminds herself daily of her own death. One quote that sat with me and changed my perspective reads, “Remembering death keeps us awake, focused, and ready for whatever might happen — both the excruciatingly difficult and the breathtakingly beautiful” (“Meet the Nun who Wants You to Remember You Will Die” by Ruth Graham - Moreau FYE Week 3). In this quote, Sister Athelia reminds me that tomorrow is not guaranteed, and therefore I need to be grateful for each and every day. From this, I have learned that I need to hold myself accountable for living by my mission statement every day, excuse free. This has meant that I do things every day that I believe to be moral, righteous, or simply trying to be my best self. These things may be little, such as picking up free-floating trash, or larger, such as lending a shoulder to an upset friend. However, once I have started trying to focus on the core values of my mission statement, I have begun to live a more fulfilling lifestyle, and my perspective has been positively altered; I no longer take a single day for granted, instead, I am immensely grateful for a new opportunity to grow into my best self. These new practices have helped me to begin maintaining the values of my mission statement and will serve me well throughout my time at Notre Dame. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html In the same light, viewing each new day as an opportunity has allowed me room for immense and ongoing self-discovery. I have come to realize that if there was an institution to learn how to not only positively transform my mind but also my heart, it is the University of Notre Dame. Here, I have learned that introspection is just as important as schoolwork. As I have previously stated above, self-discovery is invaluable; how could I implement my mission statement and be the best version of myself, when I don't even know who that is? For this reason, I have realized that taking time specifically dedicated to discerning who I am is incredibly important. A useful, inspirational quote from the Undergraduate Career Services that echoes my newfound mentality reads, “We know that life is busy and it’s hard to take the time to slow down and process. But if you give yourself that time you will gain so much” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week 4). Therefore, when I do take breaks away from my intense school schedule, I try to do things that further my personal growth or allow time for thought. One of my favorite activities along these lines is to take a walk around the lake when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Being surrounded by nature rather than classrooms allows me the space to free my mind, solve many of my own problems, and rid myself of any gripping anxiety. As I have emphasized, an important aspect of my mission statement is doing my best each day, and although “my best” will vary, I cannot give sufficient effort towards this if I am not feeling peaceful, rejuvenated, or motivated. Therefore, I have learned that taking time for personal reflection is not only beneficial but crucial, to living out my mission statement and growing into the best version of myself over the next three years. One thing that I have learned throughout this year is that my parents truly are my most valuable resource, and I need to utilize their wisdom more often to fulfill my goal of maintaining my mission statement throughout my time at Notre Dame. Not only do they provide me with https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ immense amounts of support and love, but they know me, both who I am and who I want to be, and they hold me accountable for being my best self. For example, in Moreau class, we had to ask someone close to us some personal questions to try and decipher what a life well lived means to us through the eyes of someone else. I talked with my dad, and one of the quotes that stood out to me from the conversation was, “You want to be able to look back and believe that your imprint had a positive impact on the lives of others…you desire to please, and receive the greatest happiness when people around you are happy because of your actions” (Conversation with my Dad - Moreau FYE Week 5). This quote was eye-opening to me because it really did put my innermost motivations and pleasures into words. Even miles away from him, my dad knows me to my core and keeps me focused on what truly matters to me. I remember that this conversation came at a time in the semester when I was incredibly overwhelmed and feeling dejected, exhausted, and constantly anxious. Talking with my dad reminded me of what is most important to me, and reoriented my mentality back to trying to live out my mission statement: trying my best, learning from my failures, and living with righteousness. I was newly motivated to continue to strive toward excellence and take life one day at a time. I really appreciated this exercise, and believe that it helped me accept the challenges that come with growth, refocus my mind on actively implementing my mission statement into my daily life, and overall as Dory from Finding Nemo says, “just keep swimming.” As I try to live out my mission statement over the next few years and ultimately guide myself towards a life well-lived, I have realized that certain mentalities are limiting. School is not easy, and I have not been immune to the daily struggles of social and academic pressures. There have been times this year where I have studied what feels like infinite hours for a big test and walked out of it wondering why I bothered studying at all. I would ask myself, “Why does this keep happening to me?,” or “Why am I not smart enough?”. These questions were detrimental to my mental state, as they made it so I focused on my failures. One relevant quote that I found helpful during my times of struggle reads comes from TED speaker Tasha Eurich reads, ‘Why’ questions trap us in our past; ‘what’ questions help us create a better future” ( “The Right Way to be Introspective (Yes, There’s a Wrong Way)” by Tasha Eurich Ph.D. - Moreau FYE Week 6). When I really sat and thought about the meaning of this quote, I realized that Eurich was uring me to not focus on where I had gone wrong, but rather ask ‘what’ I could do to improve in the future. This change in mindset greatly correlates with my mission statement, as I state that I will learn from my mistakes, and this means adopting a growth mindset, assessing and accepting my faults, and working towards betterment rather than beating myself up. From this, I have learned that by living through the optimistic tone of my mission statement, and in doing so, striving towards a life well-lived, I need to not only understand the difference between ‘why’ and ‘what’ questions, but also work to remove the former, pessimistic questions out of my vocabulary. This distinction will serve me well throughout my time in the rigorous academic environment at Notre Dame, and provide me with the necessary motivation to continue to strive to be my best self despite challenges or setbacks. In the formation of my mission statement, I acknowledge that living with righteousness does not just apply to my personal moral compass, but also to how I treat others as well. I believe that it is through treating others with compassion, care, and utmost respect that I will have the best Notre Dame experience over the next three years, and ultimately live a fulfilling and well-lived life. I have never struggled with treating others the way that I would like to be treated, however, there is always room for improvement, and I need to continue to hold myself to high standards of kindness. Acting with the moral character outlined in my mission statement will https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39695/modules/items/144754 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39695/modules/items/144754 help me to fulfill this goal. In this way, I will strive to continually care for those around me, and regard each and every person with respect and care. A quote that I took inspiration from is spoken by His Holiness Pope Francis, and states, “Let us help each other, all together, to remember that the other is not a statistic or a number. The other has a face. The "you" is always a real presence, a person to take care of” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis for TED Conferences - Moreau FYE Week 7). This quote encapsulates the way that I strive to act and reminds me that it is important to not become too caught up in my own life that I disregard those around me. I believe that is our obligation as individuals that are beautifully and equally created in the image of God to treat each other with tenderness and respect, no matter what. It is hard sometimes to uphold this philosophy because as I have seen in some of my experiences in college, not everyone is deserving of your kindness, however, it is in these situations that I believe it is the most important to treat that individual with compassion and respect. For example, someone that I thought was a friend began spreading false rumors about me this semester which damaged one of my other relationships. I was initially angry and hurt because I couldn't understand why they would do such a thing. However, upon reflection, I realized that the best way to remedy the situation was to talk to them about where they were coming from, why they did what they did, and how it made me feel. The conversation ended up going well because I approached the situation calmly and with an open mind. This was a pivotal learning experience for me because I really put my mission statement into practice. I was able to have a successful, enlightening conversation with someone who had really hurt my feelings, and left without saying anything I didn't mean and without becoming angry. I was very proud of myself at this moment, and it cemented in my mind that even those who have wronged me are still deserving of both respect and kindness. Therefore, by living through my mission https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript statement, not only was I able to be mature in an upsetting situation, but I acted righteously, treated the other individual fairly, and walked away with a stronger sense of self. This practice will be essential over the next three years at Notre Dame and beyond, and because of this, living through my mission statement will lead to a better, more animated life. This year for Moreau class we were assigned the task of writing our own Eulogy. I ended up writing a letter to my future self instead, which I found to be a very enlightening task. Talking to my younger self forced me to reflect on my life, think about what worked and didn't work, and decipher what advice I would have liked to have had growing up. This assignment helped me to form what I believed to be essential aspects of a life well-lived, and also aided in shaping my mission statement. Because I was giving advice to my younger self, I thought in-depth about my morals, current values, and what I hold to be important. In doing so, I walked away from the Integration assignment with a stronger sense of my own identity. In the introduction of my letter I wrote, “You will learn that a life well-lived is built on a foundation of self-love, righteousness, compassion, and gratitude” (“A Life Well-Lived, Through the Eyes of Someone Still Figuring it Out” by for Moreau Integration - Moreau FYE Week 8). This quote directly mirrors the values of my mission statement, which demonstrates the effect the Integration assignment had on forming my life goals. Moreau class has consistently opened my eyes to different aspects of a life well-lived, has had a great positive impact on my current self, and has helped me shape who I want to be in the future. By encouraging personal reflection in the Integration assignment, I was able to develop the foundations of my mission statement, which is invaluable as I will now use it as a guide for the next three years at Notre Dame and my life beyond. Another fundamental part of my mission statement is the desire to be a force for good both in my Notre Dame community and in the world. However, I have learned that what I believe to be “good” may not necessarily be what others need or perceive to be “good”. For this reason, I believe that it is important for me to continue to be receptive to the actual needs of others instead of letting grand charitable intentions cloud my judgment. This idea is exemplified by the word “accompaniment” and means acting in a complementary way that supports others. I have put this practice of accompaniment into action on campus, and whether it is cleaning up campus trash, picking up someone’s delivered groceries and bringing it to them, or seeing that one of my friends in a class left their book behind, I strive to always act in a conscientious, kind way and do the right thing, even if it is inconvenient or no one is watching. A quote that further inspired me to continue acting this way comes from a story written by Steve Reifenberg relaying his experiences volunteering at an orphanage in South America. His quote states, “[The children] did not see their caring for me as a grand gesture of generosity; they simply did, in the moment, what needed to be done” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week 9). The quote emphasizes that the children took it upon themselves to care for Steve Reifenberg in his time of need. They asked for no recognition or thanks, but simply did what was needed when it was needed; a fundamental aspect of accompaniment. In creating my mission statement I tried to include the ideas of accompaniment, which to my understanding means emphasizing the values of companionship, brotherhood, and compassion in all interactions to effect positive change. Therefore, through living by my mission statement, I will not only be able to fulfill my own life now and in the future, but also truly fulfill the lives of those around me at Notre Dame and beyond. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit I believe that to live a rewarding life in my time at Notre Dame and in the future, I need to be the best person and friend that I can be despite my inability to personally relate to certain struggles faced by others, such as those regarding sexuality or race. My mission statement implores me to be my best self, act righteously and learn from my mistakes, all of which will greatly aid me in trying to be sympathetically there for others in their times of need. One quote that has helped form my mission statement, and resonates with me in these situations due to its emphasis on viewing the world with undying love and compassion reads, “As the incarnate Word, Christ taught the law of love of God and sent the Holy Spirit that we might live lives of love and receive the gift of eternal life” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” by Du Lac: A Guide to Student Life, University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week 10). From this quote, I am compelled to live a life following the actions and teachings of Christ and giving unconditional love to those around me. By doing so, I will not only comfort and support those around me who need it, but I will also ensure that I am truly acting as a force for good in the world, which is a foundational aspect of my mission statement. I believe that it is never inconvenient to be compassionate or sympathetic, and for this reason, I will continue to strive over these next three years to show love to those suffering around me, whether I can relate or not. I have not yet encountered a situation at Notre Dame where a friend of mine was struggling with a racial or sexuality-related conflict, however, when this does arise in the future, I will be equipped with the caring, sympathetic mindset necessary to aid in any way that I am able. Therefore, by living by the values set in my mission statement, and adapting them to each given situation, I will be able to act as a force for good over the next three years, which will allow me the most fulfilling Notre Dame experience. https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ Understanding the importance of forming my own opinions and standing by them is something that will serve me well during my time at Notre Dame, and prevent me from entering “bubbles” or “echo chambers.” I am not perfect, however, so in forming my own opinions I have realized that it is important that I do so with an open mind, and seek out those who disagree to understand where they are coming from. Learning from my mistakes is an idea at the heart of my mission statement, and it will help me to be successful and diverse in my thought process during these next three years. This idea is directly supported by Dr. Pete Blaschko who states, “We should be intentional about the information we are exposed to, seeking out intelligent people with whom we disagree and attempting to fully understand their arguments” (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Dr. Paul Blaschko, ThinkND - Moreau FYE Week 11). To truly live out my mission statement, and learn from my mistakes, I need to use those around me to fully develop my opinions, rather than blindly following feedback from like-minded individuals. Building this into my daily practices would not only lead to a more enriched life but one that is more connected rather than polarized. To fulfill the goals of my mission statement, I need to be unafraid in my pursuit of righteousness and show love and support to those around me. So far, my time at Notre Dame has instilled in me a drive to better the world around me. I am surrounded by so many kind, thoughtful, genuine people that inspire me to be my very best self. Every time that I have been down this past year, my friends are always there to pick me up. I know that I can count on them for anything, and that level of accompaniment is invaluable to me and makes me feel less lonely away from home. Their kindness inspires me to support others in the way that I feel supported by them. This has helped form the portion of my mission statement relating to both becoming the best version of myself and striving to be a force for good. The best version of myself is the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND version that is there for those around me, is a continual source of kindness and support, and helps others through their hardships. In living this way, I will be a force for good in my campus community for the next three years. A quote that I believe encapsulates my mission to positively aid those around me reads, “As disciples of Jesus we stand side by side with all people. Like them we are burdened by the same struggles and beset by the same weaknesses; like them, we are made new by the same Lord’s love; like them, we hope for a world where justice and love prevail” ( “Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross” by 2: Mission, paragraph 12 - Moreau FYE Week 12 ). This quote deeply spoke to me and reminded me that I am not alone in my sufferings. Whatever pain or suffering I feel, someone else could feel that same suffering or worse, and for this reason, I am called to be accepting and empathetic. I will strive to continue to uphold my mission statement by being there for those around me, creating an inclusive, supportive environment, and working to make the world a better place. My mission statement was crafted during the last week of Moreau class. I loved this activity because I was able to reflect on my morals, what I find to be important in life, and who I want to be in the future. The assignment was slightly challenging because I had to consolidate my beliefs and life goals into one sentence. However, in the end, I am extremely proud of how it came out, and even more so, motivated to live by it each and every day. Once again, my mission statement reads: “I will strive to do my best, learn from my mistakes, and follow a path of righteousness, in all facets of my life, to ensure that I am continually developing into the best version of myself and acting as a force for good in this world” (“Personal Mission Statement” by University of Notre Dame Mission Statement - Moreau FYE Week 13). My words were born out of a desire to be a better person, a positive influence, and lead a life of no regret. I realized, through introspection, that I am most fulfilled when I am acting morally and in a way that https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-cross-resources/constitutions/2-mission/ https://www.nd.edu/about/mission/ benefits others; this is how I derive the most satisfaction. If this is so, why would I not then hold myself accountable to those standards each day? I am newly inspired to continually grow into a better version of myself, take advantage of the education of both the mind and heart that I receive at Notre Dame, and transform my mission statement from a goal into a lifestyle. In doing so, the life that evolves from my mission statement will yield true fulfillment and happiness throughout my next three years and life beyond. In conclusion, my mission statement is a true encapsulation of both my aspirations for the future and my current moral compass. Although I will strive to uphold the current mission statement, as I grow and my goals mature, I am sure that the mission statement will evolve. It will be through this positive evolution that I will grow into the person that I am meant to be and live a life well-lived. After articulating personal goals for my life into a concise statement, I am motivated to uphold it each and every day to be the best person, friend, student, etc. that I can be during my time at Notre Dame and beyond. I believe that if I can uphold the values iterated in my mission statement, my life will not only be happy because I am acting in a way that brings fulfillment to me, but I will be able to positively impact the lives of others. I am incredibly grateful to the University of Notre Dame and especially Moreau for starting the conversations to lead me on a journey to develop both my mind and my heart. I excitedly await the life that comes from grounding myself in my beliefs and acting as a force for good through morality, accompaniment, and consideration.