Professor Thigpen
Moreau FYE Integration
Oct 15, 2021

The Foundations of Belief


	Since a young age, I have been instilled with beliefs passes down from generation to generation within my family. Growing up in rural Indiana, my hometown’s population is just around 900 full-time citizens. With that being said, I have been surrounded by the same people, beliefs, and values my entire life. When I began the college search, I wanted to get out of my hometown and go experience something unique, and I ended up at Notre Dame. Notre Dame had always been my dream school, but unlike many, it wasn’t my dream school because of the Fighting Irish football, or the beautiful gold that shines off the Dome. I had a calling to Notre Dame because it felt like home to me. It is my safe haven that allows me to spread my wings to the world around me, to learn about the amazing opportunities in the world, and it allows me to build an even stronger foundation of beliefs. The daunting question of “What do you believe in” is very challenging to answer, but with deep thought and consideration, it can be easily established. 
	I believe that the first formative weeks at college gave me and my peers a chance to become vulnerable to the new people and environment. During the first week of Moreau, we were challenged to watch Dr. Brown’s Ted Talk, which led me to a realization. In the video, Dr. Brown states, “So you have to understand that I have a bachelor’s in social work, a master’s in social work and I was getting my master’s in social work. So my entire academic career has been surrounded by people who kind of believed the “life is messy, love it.” and I’m more of the “life’s messy, clean it up, organize it, and put it in a bento box” (“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0). The quote shows that Dr. Brown has been surrounded by a similar environment for many years, social work, just as myself and my peers have been surrounded by the same environment for the majority of our lives. I had always gone to school with the same kids, I have always gone out to eat at the same restaurant, and I have always driven on the same roads, but now being at Notre Dame that all changes. Here I am able to meet unique people from all over the world, I am able to try new foods, and I am able to experience a new city, such as South Bend. It is important to be vulnerable and willing to step out of your comfort zone.
	I believe that it is important for me to work towards resume virtues, but to also stay just as focused on eulogy virtues. In such a competitive world, it is very easy to forget morals and focus solely on building a resume; however, it is critical to also be focused on living out eulogy virtues as well. In week 2 of Moreau, we examined a TED Talk by David Brooks where he states, “The resume virtues are the ones you put on your resume. Which are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that get mentioned in the eulogy. Which are deeper: who are you, in your depth, what is the nature of your relationships… most of us would say the eulogy virtues are the most important of the virtues but are they the ones we think about the most? And the answer is no” (“Should you live for your resume or eulogy?” by David Brooks - Moreau FYE week two. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM&feature=emb_logo). As I worked hard to achieve my dreams I sometimes felt myself slip away from my eulogy virtues and chase my resume virtues. I was too focused on being the most successful person and having a perfect resume. I was more concerned about how I looked on paper rather than the impact I was having on other people’s lives. I took a look in the mirror and realized that I have a moral obligation to begin living out my eulogy virtues. After deep thought and consideration, I realized that in order to be remembered as a loving, caring, and supportive person, it is important to align your eulogy virtues with your career goals. 
	I believe that Notre Dame is bettering my faith, mind, and spirit. In week 3 of Moreau, we watched a video from Father Pete where he states, “The growth that you’ve had at Notre Dame was not by accident, neither was it a solo event, all of us have come to this University community. A community that purposely emphasizes educating heart and mind. Living lives that zealously respond to the love of God that we find in the gospel and the life of Jesus Christ. A Community that seeks on its best days to be a family” (The Role of Faith in Our Story” by Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE week three https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs). During my short time here at the University of Notre Dame, I have already begun to see a transformation in my faith, mind, and spirit. I have started to put more faith in God, I have begun to believe in myself more, and I have built amazing relationships with caring individuals from around the world. Notre Dame is giving me an amazing opportunity to become a better version of myself each and every day.
	I believe that it is very hard to deal with a toxic relationship, but if I act with respect, communicate, and see their point of view, I am able to maintain healthy relationships. In week 4 of Moreau, there was a strong reading about toxic relationships that states, “Often, those who excessively focus on drama are the ones who also talk about people behind their backs — causing you to wonder if they’re talking about you behind your back. Rest assured, you will eventually be dragged into a dramatic situation with this friend and they will definitely talk about you behind your back” ("5 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship" by Olivia T. Taylor - Moreau FYE week four https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/relationships/signs-of-toxic-friendships/). I have lost many friends due to them being disrespectful behind closed doors. Since I have experienced those actions first hand, I started to pride myself on always protecting others’ names and being a trustworthy person. I have not only seen my happiness improve, but I have also seen my relationships improve. 
	I believe that through hard work and dedication, anything is possible. In week 5 of Moreau, we discussed Father Sorin’s tortuous journey from Southern Indiana to Notre Dame. In the reading of Father Sorin’s letter, it states, “A few hours afterward we came to Notre Dame du Lac, where I write you these 'lines. Everything was frozen, and yet it all appeared so beautiful. The lake, particularly, with its mantle of snow, resplendent in its whiteness, was to us a symbol of the stainless purity of Our August Lady, whose name it bears; and also of the purity of soul which should characterize the new inhabitants of these beautiful shores. Our lodgings appeared to us-as indeed they are-but little different from those at St. Peter's. We made haste to inspect all the various sites on the banks of the lake which had been so highly praised. Yes, like little children, in spite of the cold, we went from one extremity to the other, perfectly enchanted with the marvelous beauties of our new abode. Oh! may this new Eden be ever the home of innocence and virtue!” (“Fr. Sorin Letter to Bl. Basil Moreau” by Father Sorin - Moreau FYE week five https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o56woQDq3QrRkziT8eYrvYly5CQaP2Vb/view). The example above shows that Father Sorin and his team of brothers had a very challenging and difficult journey to Notre Dame, but the beauty of the frozen land makes up for all of it. That goes to show that the road to success will not be easy, it will not be glamourous, and it will not be fun, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Notre Dame is now one of the most elite schools in the nation, and that is in part of Father Sorin’s vision. So as long as I set out a strong vision for myself, anything is possible. 
	I believe that I have been built up by my community to be a force for good in the world around me. In week 6 of Moreau, we examined a poem by George Ella Lyon and were given the challenge of creating our own. In my personal poem, I stated, “I am from the forgotten farmland, From where the cornfields line all of the passing roads, I am from the kicked around dirt on the baseball field, And even lost in the bygone pages of historic library novels, I am from the small town of Hamilton, Indiana, Finding the right pair of jeans and the perfect hat, Brewing the hot morning coffee and climbing up the side of a truck, My first day on the job with my father, Landscaping and construction was the occupation passed from generation to generation, The blue-collar life leading to great success A lifestyle that must be pursued within such a small town” (“Roots of Hamilton” by  - Moreau FYE week six https://docs.google.com/document/d/1542WGyJw4D07-98UjGmV94Wb8WjivXWqRcn2YZSu9iw/edit). Even though writing this poem was stressful to start, I found peace while writing it because it gave me the opportunity to look at where I came from. I am from a small, blue-collar town that is known for farming, agriculture, and landscaping. Over time, I realized that staying in the small town doing farm work was not the lifestyle for me. I was brought up in a blue-collared family that built a foundation of hard work under me. Since I knew what it took to be successful and make a difference, I am determined to make that impact on a bigger stage in the world. 
	I believe that it is important to treat everyone equally and to not hold a stereotype against someone if they are different from yourself. In week 7 of Moreau, we read through an article discussing implicit bias. As stated in the article, “When’s the last time a stereotype popped into your mind? If you are like most people, the authors included, it happens all the time. That doesn’t make you a racist, sexist or whatever-ist. It just means your brain is working properly, noticing patterns and making generalizations. But the same thought processes that make people smart can also make them biased. This tendency for stereotype-confirming thoughts to pass spontaneously through our minds is what psychologists call implicit bias. It sets people up to overgeneralize, sometimes leading to discrimination even when people feel they are being fair” (“How to Think about ‘Implicit Bias’” (Keith Payne, Laura Niemi, John M. Doris, Scientific American - Moreau FYE week seven https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/). It is extremely hurtful to view someone differently based on a stereotype that may be held for a specific person. A stereotype can be held based on a person’s race, religion, nationality, or even gender. So before jumping to conclusions, I open my heart to others and allow myself to connect with them on a personal level. 
	Obtaining a strong set of beliefs does not just happen overnight, but it comes after years and years of dedication and effort. A set of beliefs are formed at a young age, typically during the formative age of life, but college has given me the opportunity to strengthen, and even change some of my beliefs. My foundation of beliefs has gotten stronger and stronger each day while here at Notre Dame; however, I am always looking to better myself so my answer to “What do I believe in?” will always be getting better.