Integration 1
Anderson 1
David Pruitt
Moreau FYS-10101-78
15 October 2021
(N)ew (D)evelopments
Belief is something that is hard-won and often changing. It is built both on experience
and learning new things about others. College is a time that beliefs are either further solidified or
even turned on their heads entirely, especially in the first semester. Every freshman is in an
entirely new situation, whether it be physically, academically, mentally, or emotionally. New
experiences force critical thinking and the development of new belief systems. As a university
that focuses on the development of the mind in a healthy way, not just academically, Notre Dame
definitely has that effect. Total self-realization within the first several weeks of classes is not
expected, or even totally possible. However, I have still developed new beliefs and become
stronger in others. I believe that I have been shaped by strength, I grow by connection, and I am
made to help others.
I believe that I have been shaped by strength. As a child, I was shaped by stories, much
like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Moreau FYE Week 7). I saw myself represented in stories with strong female characters. I
looked up to them and wanted to be exactly like the characters on the page. As a result, I worked
hard to become the best version of myself. However, I am not just shaped by people that do not
exist. I have been extremely lucky that all of my community has stood behind me every step of
the way, but especially my mother. When I first read George Ella’s “I am From” poem, my first
thought was the strength of my mother (I am From Poem by George Ella - Moreau FYE Week
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/up-next
http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html
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6). She has shaped me by showing me what it means to be strong. My mother has taught me
that I can hold my ground and be vulnerable at the same time. In fact, she has highlighted how
vital vulnerability with other people is for growth throughout my life, especially in regards to
connection. I did not fully understand the extent of her words until I arrived at Notre Dame, but
now it is one of my root beliefs.
I believe that I grow from connection. This belief was, admittedly, a surprise to me when
I came to Notre Dame. I have always been extremely self-sufficient and introverted. I never
thought that I would need connections as much as I do for my growth. However, in admitting
this truth to myself, I leaned on Brené Brown’s words about vulnerability ("The Power of
Vulnerability" by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One). Her successes paired with her need
to be vulnerable has opened a door that I previously thought was closed. Now, I know that, in
order for me to grow as a person, I must be able to be vulnerable. When I was feeling extremely
homesick at the beginning of the semester, I remembered the importance of vulnerability and
human connections, so I reached out for help from my parents. Now we call each other at least
once a week. This connection with them has been invaluable. When I caught a bad cold, I was
able to let people know that I was not doing well, allowing for more genuine connections than if
I decided to pretend everything was perfect. In essence, making connections has helped and will
continue to help grow my strengths and diminish my weaknesses. David Brooks highlights the
importance of qualities that will make someone’s eulogy ("Should You Live For Your Resume or
Your Eulogy" by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week 2). These qualities, kindness, bravery,
wisdom, and the like, are the strengths that forge connections. Without these characteristics and
the connections that come from them, human growth is not possible. Human connections can
also help grow my quest for self-discovery, something Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C. calls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&list=PLmiPsabET-W_hjesjTZaITh2s1WbM-Kd0&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&list=PLmiPsabET-W_hjesjTZaITh2s1WbM-Kd0&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
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“The greatest journey you will ever go on” ("The Role of Faith in Our Story" by Father Pete
McCormick, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week 3). Some of the most important aspects of self
discovery come from having to be vulnerable in a new place, like college. The connections
made in the moments of vulnerability, whether it be in class, within a residential hall, in a club,
on a team, or more, are what lead to the discovery of one’s true self. I now know that I need to
find the courage to be vulnerable enough to make connections to others in order to make
discoveries about myself. Only then can I fulfill what I was made to do.
I believe that I was made to help others. Like Father Sorin’s hope for Notre Dame
articulated in his letter to Father Moreau, I have a hope for myself to be a means of spreading
good in the community ("Letter to Bl. Basil Moreau '' by Father Sorin - Moreau FYE Week 5). I
wish to address the systemic issues in society in a positive, transformative way. I know that the
things I am learning at Notre Dame will help me in my endeavors. For example, some of my
classes this semester study the structures in our society that are detrimental to our most
vulnerable citizens. I have learned methods on how to best combat those issues in ways that
promote the safety of the maximum number of people, whether that be conflict transformation or
the study of strategic and principled nonviolence. I also truly believe that we are our brothers’
and sisters’ keepers ("It's On Us ND- 3 Ds of Being an Active Bystander" by Notre Dame -
Moreau FYE Week 4). However, this requires active listening. It is our job, as a community, to
make sure that we take care of each other. When we agree to live in a society, it is our
responsibility to look out for the weakest people in our community. This takes skills that cannot
necessarily be taught in a classroom through readings and essays. One must learn to listen to
others in order to maximize one’s ability to help in their plight. I hope to get as close as possible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o56woQDq3QrRkziT8eYrvYly5CQaP2Vb/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qk5iI7HctYydSB3xYZs5hNClJ-uo5Hq4/view
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to perfecting the art of actively listening and learning. Then, I can fulfill my role as an ally to
oppressed people in our society.
In my time at Notre Dame, I have learned or affirmed that I believe that I have been
shaped by strength, I grow by connection, and I am made to help others. The strength of others
around me, physically and otherwise, has made me into the person I am today. The need for
connection, a relatively new revelation, is vital for my growth as a person. I have affirmed that I
believe that my purpose in life is to help as many people as I can. In order to do this, I must
listen to others and apply the knowledge I have learned at Notre Dame to real world situations. I
am sure that I will learn even more about my beliefs, not only in the next semester and a half, but
the next four years of my college experience. The most important thing is that I continue to
think critically about new information being presented and take the time to reflect on those ideals
before I decide what I believe to be true. Only then can new developments truly take place.