Moreau Integration
Where I am Meant to Be
Just eight weeks ago, I embarked on my Notre Dame journey, both anxiously and happily
anticipating what the future held. Already, I have found an education that challenges me to not
only think critically about class material, but also to understand the deeper implications of these
lessons on my life and my purpose. Although I am still in the early stages of my college career, I
am grateful for the amazing experiences I have already had, and I am proud of the beliefs I have
formed and acted upon: the beliefs that will continue to shape me as a person over the next four
years and beyond.
I believe that developing self-love and respect are the foundation for living a fulfilled life.
If one wishes to engage in a community or to make an impact on others, they must first arrive at
these states to ensure they are the best version of themselves. We must be open minded and
accepting of ourselves because vulnerability is the starting place for joy, creativity, and belonging
(“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One). It can be difficult to
open ourselves up and analyze the root of our fears and insecurities, but it is necessary for
growth. Additionally, developing a sense of self-worth leads to stronger relationships with
others. When one is confident and proud of who they are, they are more likely to not accept
toxicity in relationships. I believe it is crucial to understand you are worthy of healthy
relationships; this will help you recognize ingenuine love in which an individual can make you
feel guilty or worthless (“Because I Love You, Double Whiskey" by One Love Foundation -
Moreau FYE Week 4). Learning to love and accept ourselves makes us overall more content in
life and leads to long lasting relationships in which we can be fully ourselves, fearing no
judgement. The importance of working on oneself does not end there. I believe that building
good character and becoming a person that you are proud of will lead to long-term happiness in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwQ5ur9OZ-g
life. There seems to be a struggle in life between wanting to be successful and make great sums
of money, or pursuing a true passion or dream, and finding true happiness. “We live in a
perpetual self confrontation between the external success and the internal value” (Should You
Live for Your Resume or Your Eulogy? By David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week Two). Though
both success and internal self-fulfillment are important, I believe that it is important to remember
that one day, your successes and accomplishments will all be behind you. What will be left to
define your life is your character: how you treat the people around you, the manner in which you
view yourself and the world, and the values you hold. Your internal growth is an ongoing process
throughout your entire life. It is for this reason that I believe the need to develop a strong sense
of self-love and identity through actively working on one’s self is the foundation for finding
happiness.
I believe that communities greatly shape their individuals, but the individual can also
make a great impact on the community. I grew up constantly surrounded by love from family and
friends. Family was always at the core of my life, and it is a major reason why I wanted to come
to Notre Dame. There is no other University that cultivates such a strong sense of family. I
believe the community I was raised in played a great role in the person I grew up to be. I was
raised on Philadelphia sports, family breakfast after mass, and a hometown full of familiar faces.
At the time, I was certainly a product of my environment, which is both a positive and negative
observation. I love what, where, and who I am from, but I also recognize that my experiences
and perspectives are limited by my origins. I grew up in a town that lacked diversity in many
ways. I have never lived anywhere else, or traveled to many strikingly different places, for that
matter. Therefore, I recognize that where I am from has a lot to do with who I am, but even
moreso, it is only the starting point for an expansion of my perspective (Moreau FYE Week 6).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
Coming to Notre Dame has been an eye-opening experience. Here, some of the brightest and
most creative minds come together to discuss, innovate, and inspire. What makes this even more
special is that everyone here comes from a different background with their own unique stories to
contribute. In this way, the individual plays a major role in shaping the community. Notre Dame
is a special place because of the diverse individuals who compose its population. I believe it is
extremely important, therefore, that we respect and appreciate the differences between people
and groups. We may not even realize it, but we are more biased than we think ( "How to Think
About 'Implicit Bias'" by Keith Payne, Laura Niemi, and John M. Doris, Scientific American -
Moreau FYE Week 7). To overcome bias, it is crucial to remain open minded. We are building a
community where everybody’s differences contribute to our holism, and that is an amazing thing
to be a part of. We should embrace the fact that we are part of a diverse community that will lead
us to an expansion of knowledge and perspective, but we should also recognize and appreciate
the individual role that we get to play in allowing our personal stories to contribute to the Notre
Dame family.
I believe that I am meant to use my faith and education for larger purposes in this world.
The University of Notre Dame was founded upon the idea of educating in a way that will
transform both minds and hearts, allowing students to serve others, spreading faith and love. At
Notre Dame, education is seen as “a work of the resurrection” and it is known that faith and
reason must always coincide ("Two Notre Dames: Your Holy Cross Education" by Fr. Kevin
Grove - Moreau FYE Week 5). It is in this environment that I am confident I will grow in my
faith. The beliefs that are so ingrained in this University, dating all the way back to its founding,
are the same ones that I value the most. I am certain that these beliefs and values are the stepping
stones to a path of making a true impact on the people around me. As Father Kevin Grove said in
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/
https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187
his video, “We are blessed so that we may be a blessing to others.” I am blessed to be in the
position that I am, but I know that I was sent here to do more with the gifts I have been given. To
be granted such an amazing education and opportunity is no accident. I believe I am on a path to
change others for good using the faith and genuine character that I will build throughout the next
four years. Faith is interpreted differently by everyone, even among students at this faithful
University. Religion has always been an important part of my life, but I think being a member of
a community of faith is about much more than simply religion. Those who have faith in
something, anything, find an inner strength and peace that the faithless do not. “Their very voices
and faces are different from ours; stronger, quieter, happier, more radiant. They begin where
most of us leave off.…They do not draw attention to themselves. You tend to think that you are
being kind to them when they are really being kind to you. They love you more than other men
do, but they need you less.…They will usually seem to have a lot of time: you will wonder where
it comes from” said C.S. Lewis (“Faith Brings Light to a Dark World by Professor David
Fagerberg - Moreau FYE Week 3). The role of faith in my life will allow me to find strength and
harmony, and I believe I am meant to share these elements of faith with others. It is in this way
that I can use my Notre Dame education to make a difference.
These beliefs are testaments to where I am from, where I am going, and who I am
becoming. It is my goal and purpose to allow my beliefs to continue to inform my choices and
actions. I am confident that this goal will be reached, because I know I am exactly where I am
meant to be.
https://bit.ly/2MwCxs4