Capstone Integration Mojica 1 Professor Lassen Moreau First Year Experience 19 April 2022 Legacy of Love My personal mission statement encompasses many of the ideas that we have examined this semester, especially as I look to the future. Ultimately, to create a good life that I can look back on and say was well-lived, I am dedicated to the pursuit of a better world, one that I will be proud to leave behind. In order to accomplish this, I hold myself accountable for all my actions and own up to every consequence. I have an innate duty to seek out the truth in an honest and genuine way, working to avoid racism, xenophobia, homophobia, nativism, sexism, and other injustices that plague our world. Ideally, I will be able to fight these injustices through my future career, whatever it may be. I surround myself with people who challenge my viewpoints, who push me to solidify my own beliefs. I do this because I cannot understand what I really believe unless I am challenged by people that I respect and admire. It is in these moments of discomfort that I am able to learn the most. With these solid foundations of beliefs, I will find ways to challenge the people around me to expand their worldview so that they might pursue their own life well-lived. My success is measured by the impact that I have on the people and the world around me. That will be my legacy. I will continue to foster healthy and reciprocal relationships that can both boost my confidence when I am feeling down, and humble me when I lose touch. I continue to push myself to grow in wisdom and inspire those around me to courageously challenge the status quo, even when it is hard and seems impossible. Life was not meant to be Mojica 2 easy. I take on this mission statement because I love this world and will fight to encourage a better future from it. Each piece of my mission statement has been grasped from my life experiences along with my experiences within the Moreau First Year Experience class. Starting with Weeks One, Two, and Three, I took some time to practice some self-reflection while also looking to see the people who inspire me in order to determine what exactly I wanted to be remembered for. I looked at all my regrets, failures, and weaknesses along with my proud moments, successes, and strengths. Taking time for self-reflection is scary, but it is something that I wish to further integrate in my life for the next few years through meditation and visualization. I am scared of leaving the world behind, but I must be willing to examine myself and my worst mistakes to be able to learn something about the person I want to become before I die. Sister Aletheia explores this topic when she talks about how running away from death is futile. In order for me to find true satisfaction with myself, “it’s actually in facing the darkest realities of life that we find light in them” (“Meet the nun who wants you to remember that you will die” by Ruth Graham - Moreau FYE Week Three). Facing the hard reality of death helps me to figure out the true life that I want to leave behind. I have also discovered that especially in college, constantly chasing different purposes and people in life can be incredibly difficult. That is why I thought it was incredibly poignant when author Pico Iyer said that “the more we contact others, the more, it sometimes seems, we lose contact with ourselves” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). I want to stay in touch with my inner self while still not sacrificing connections with others. In order to find the balance for this, I took a long hard look at people like Fr. Hesburgh, as examples of people who did live a good life, some that we might all aspire to. I think often of the https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ Mojica 3 legacy that Fr. Hesburgh left behind, especially when he spoke about how “differences of culture, religion, and conviction can coexist with friendship, and civility, and even love” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). Even when differences divide us, it is our duty to reach across the line that separates us with an open mind and open heart. I hope to do this within the next few years by purposefully reaching out to friends that I have let drift away, and even those people who I do not always get along with, as I believe that peace and kindness is always the right answer. I wish to learn from the example of Fr. Herburgh, as it is not enough for me to grow in my own life well-lived: I wish to push others to do the same. In order for me to figure out my future, I need to first examine the parts of myself that I am already proud of, the people I admire, and the legacy that I will leave behind when I die one day. Moving onto Weeks Four, Five and Six, I began to think more about my future, and although I am nervous to see what the future holds for me, I am optimistic that I can shape my future, despite any obstacles that stand in my way. Taking charge of my future is a challenge, but it is one that I wish to take on with force. I have looked into the Moreau website about “Navigating Your Career Journey”, and am reassured when it says that “if you actively engage in the process, take ownership, and utilize the tools at your disposal you will reap the benefits and establish a satisfying professional life” (“Navigating Your Career Journey - Moreau First Year Experience Course” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). Playing an active role in the discovery of my future career offers me a bit of peace about the future. I will be reaching out to resources like the Moreau Center in the next three years in order to have a firm grasp on what my future will hold. In addition to understanding the first steps to seeking out a career, my discernment activity where I talked to my mom, was a definite confidence booster, as she encouraged me to https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ Mojica 4 seek out a career in which I can help people (“Week 5 Reflection - Discerning a Life Well-Lived” by - Moreau FYE Week Five). Talking to people like my mom does a lot to help me center myself, and I wish to continue this practice both as a talker and listener in my next few years at Notre Dame. I know that I will face obstacles in trying to achieve my goals in my career and otherwise, but I do not want to shy away from these moments of suffering. As Dr. Jihoon Kim, the founder of a nonprofit organization JD Kim Ministries, expresses, “suffering is part of our lives. It is always there, but it is about how to respond to suffering” (“Five Minutes” by Grotto - Moreau FYE Week Six). I admire the strength of Dr. Kim, and I am able to better understand from his example that I will not be able to go through my life without suffering, but I must be able to adapt and adjust to any troublesome situations that might arise. I think that the themes of the first six weeks are well complemented by the topics that we broached in Weeks Seven, Nine, and Ten. When I think about connecting with those around me, I realize that I need to make this more of a priority in my life, as I often form opinions about other people before I even know them. This is why Father Greg Boyle’s comments within Tattoos on the Heart stood out to me, as he said that “it always becomes impossible to demonize someone you know” (“Tattoos on the Heart - Chapter 8: Jurisdiction” by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Like Fr. Greg talks about, I must take on the task of including all people into my own jurisdiction, as he did with the gang members of the neighborhoods. Throughout my time here at Notre Dame, it has been difficult for me to push myself out of my comfort zone to make new friends. I have to remember that a life well-lived is one in which I am constantly making a positive impact on the people around me, and in order to do that, I must ditch any preconceived opinions. Reaching out to new people is hard, but I hope to be a face of https://docs.google.com/document/d/18SjmrgtId2pl5lpT3H839ukpjq8sFeApEnPe-cVtL3I/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/18SjmrgtId2pl5lpT3H839ukpjq8sFeApEnPe-cVtL3I/edit https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41088/files/524008/download?download_frd=1 Mojica 5 welcoming and kindness in the coming years, especially for incoming freshmen. Even just a smile or wave in the halls can make a big difference. Any relationships that I form must also not be one sided, as I especially liked the quote from Fr. Gustavo Guitiérrez, a scholar known to many as the “father of liberation theology, when he said that friendship “is a reciprocal relationship. One cannot accompany without being accompanied, in the same way someone cannot be a good friend without being open to friendship” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Professor Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week Nine). I must be able to positively impact others just as much as they are able to uplift me. In order for relationships to be healthy, they must go both ways. I cannot allow myself to be used and tossed aside - I must stand up for myself in any relationship I encounter in my next three years. When I am fostering any new relationships, I must remember to be kind and understanding to all those who are different from me. Like it says in the article about “The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame”, we all have a responsibility to “welcome others who bring additional gifts, talents, and backgrounds to the community” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” by du Lac: A Guide to Student Life - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Inclusion must be a vital part of my own mission statement, both on campus and in all parts of my life, as I want every person to feel comfortable with talking to me about any issue in their life. Inclusive practices can range from a compliment in the elevator to an invitation to lunch. It does not have to be anything huge, but sticking my neck out for people that need some extra love could be an incredibly beneficial practice to implement in my life for the coming years. For Weeks Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen, I have come to realize that educating myself and putting myself out there to find my purpose is vital for my mission to live a life well-lived. Especially in the face of racial injustice in the current political climate, I realize that I must take https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit?usp=sharing https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ Mojica 6 on the responsibility of educating myself on all matters, even if they do not concern me directly. I also have a responsibility to surround myself with contrasting views and uncomfortable conversations so that I might grow in my knowledge of the world. Echo chambers are easy to get stuck in, which is why I must “be intentional about the information that [I] expose [myself] to by seeking out intelligent people with whom [I] disagree and attempting to fully understand their arguments” (“Big Questions 2, Part 4: How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Dr. Paul Blaschko - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). Dr. Blaschko makes a good point here, as challenging perspectives is an important way to expand my horizons. I must find ways to reach out to people in the next few years who might differ from me politically or otherwise, so that I might be able to broaden my own perspective. In addition to seeking out conflicting perspectives, every single time I hear of a discriminatory injustice or see another news story about an abuse on minorities, I am reminded of my responsibility to be an active bystander and outspoken critic in times of need. I am in a position of privilege, both as a white person and as a student at a prestigious university, and it is true what Dean G. Marcus Cole says: my education and position “do place me in a position to do something about [racial violence]” (“Dean G. Marcus Cole: 'I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something.'” by Dean G. Marcus Cole - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). I must seek out uncomfortable conversations, even when it is difficult. Social justice issues are an issue that I cannot push aside, and I am dedicated to the fight against them, especially in my time at Notre Dame. In conclusion, in looking at all these different areas of who I was, who am now, and who I want to be in the future, I am able to cohesively combine all of these ideas into a mission statement that I developed during my thirteenth week with Moreau. I am proud of the work that I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ Mojica 7 have put into this class, and I hope to accomplish much more self-discovery even after this year is over. I want to take control of my future, whether it is in the area of career, family, friendship, or anything else. I want to be proud of the legacy I leave behind, and I want it to be one that reflects the beauty and truth of life. Ultimately, I want that legacy to be a legacy of love.