Integration 2 Coming to Community Throughout my first semester at Notre Dame I have definitely learned a lot about myself as well as the people around me. I remember several times throughout the semester that I was really stressed or worried about certain situations. At the time, these things felt extremely important and scary, but it is interesting to think that these things really didn’t matter as much as I thought they would. I think that through what I have encountered so far, I have definitely learned a lot about myself, and as a result, I think I have grown a lot. Through my time in moreau, especially these last few weeks, I have learned that connection is the most important thing and that while we all have our own experiences and challenges, the most powerful thing is how we can come together as a united community. Week 9’s reading for this class was one of the most impactful for me. In the beginning of the semester I felt several of the things discussed in “Advice from a Formerly Lonely College Student”. I remember feeling really lonely at times and feeling like I was the only one feeling this way. At the start, it was really difficult for me to adjust to life in college while it looked like everyone else was doing so well. I remember talking to my older sister on the phone one night and telling her about my struggle with this and how I felt like I was the only one because everyone else seemed to be doing so great. I remember how she made me realize that from an outside perspective I probably would look the same, and like I am doing really well. I think one of our largest problems is that we are not always vulnerable and honest with each other. Knowing that other people were struggling as much as me honestly helped a lot because I didn’t feel like I was going through it alone. It is easy to get trapped in your own thoughts and think that nothing will work out, but I’ve come to realize that you can overcome anything if you just give things a chance and time to work itself out (“Advice from a Formerly Lonely College Student” by Emery Bergman, NYT - Moreau FYE Week 9). I also found the video on imposter syndrome to be really insightful. I know that I tend to doubt myself at times and whether or not I’m actually intelligent and talented or if I’ve just gotten lucky. Again, it was helpful to learn that countless people have felt this same way including some of the most smart and talented people of all time. In class we discussed how many of us still get this feeling of the imposter syndrome regardless of our accomplishments and the fact that we go to such a good school. I found this to be really interesting because people tend to present the best side of themselves that they want society to see which often excludes these vulnerabilities (“What is Imposter Syndrome” by Elizabeth Cox, TED-Ed - Moreau FYE Week 9). Because of this, I have come to the belief that people should be more vulnerable and open with each other like we talked about early on in this class. I think that sharing experiences and vulnerabilities is one of the best ways to help each other and grow. That is why I think that forming connections and being a part of an enriching community is one of the most important things. In week 10, this belief was further developed when we learned about challenges in our community and our role in responding to them. Firstly, Fr. Jenkins’s commencement address discussed the importance of community. He talks about the necessity for everyone to have love in their lives. He makes the point that hatred is what “poisons” us. While this may seem obvious, hate often resides within all of us even when we don’t notice it. When we get too wrapped up in our own beliefs and opinions, it is easy to let our desire to have other people see the world the way that we do, turn into a judgment and hate of their beliefs that may not align with our own. Instead of judging people based on their differences in beliefs, I think it is important to accept that other people may have different upbringings or situations that have led them to these beliefs. I think that we can always learn important lessons from people who think differently than we do. There is something to be appreciated about having such immense differences between us that we can learn so much from the people we surround ourselves with. I have learned some of the most important lessons from people who I fully disagree with. It can sometimes be hard and uncomfortable to do this, but I think that some of the most important ways for growth have come from interacting with people who have different experiences than I do. ("Wesley Theological Seminary 2012 Commencement Address"” by Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C. - Moreau https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://president.nd.edu/writings-addresses/2012-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ FYE Week 10). Furthermore, the kintsugi video from week 10, makes the point that it is important to care for the people in our community. I think we sometimes get wrapped up in our own problems and forget that everyone has conflict and struggles in life that could be very similar or different from our own. However, in the kintsugi video, they make the point that we are all capable of healing and that our life experiences, good and bad, are what make us the unique people we are now. I have found that even though I had a really difficult time adjusting to college in the beginning of the semester and felt really lonely and struggled at times, I have grown a lot as a result. I think that I have become a better person as a result of the difficult things I have gone through in life which I think is really important. ("Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop" by Grotto - Moreau FYE Week 10). The idea of community was even further developed in week 11. In the article by Parker Palmer, he makes the assertion that rather than trying to avoid pain and suffering we should instead embrace it as a means for growth. He claims that suffering as a way of “breaking your heart” actually allows you to become open enough to embrace some of the most important things like hope and resilience. I think this is definitely true. Without suffering in life, we keep ourselves closed off from some of the most important experiences and things that life has to teach us. Furthermore, he makes an important point about community. He talks about how being a part of a community is not like a “garden of Eden” but a place “that can withstand hard times and conflict.” Suffering is an unavoidable part of life, so rather than running from it, we should take it as a chance for learning and growth. However, I think we need a solid foundation to get through this, and we cannot do it alone. That is why I think that being a part of a community who cares about each other and can withstand the inevitable conflict that we will face is vital in our lives (“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” by Parker J. Palmer, Center for Courage & Renewal - Moreau FYE Week 11). Throughout my first semester, I have learned a lot about community, and I have come to the realization that being a part of a solid community and forming connections with people is the https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau most important thing to having a good life. As a result, I will try to further make connections with the people around me, and will try to form more relationships with people who have different beliefs and experiences than I do.