Christopher Giaimo Moreau First Year Experience Mr. Retartha Due March 4th A Life Well Lived Influences Beyond the Grave Since the start of the second semester I have been asked to complete seven weeks worth of QQC reflections. Compared to my first semester of Moreau, I much rather prefer the questions that I am being asked now. These questions which all revolve around what a “good” life is is something that fascinates me because in the end that’s all that really matters. When I am nearing the end of my life, it won’t matter what clothes I wore, what people I impressed, but rather the impact that I left on the world around me. In this assignment, I will address what I believe to be a “good” life, define the way that I want to be remembered, and will give a eulogy that I would be fortunate enough to receive later in my life if I deserve it One aspect of my life that this course has led me to evaluate further is my experiences with technology. Technology is obviously extremely prevalent in today’s world and is only becoming more important. However, sometimes I question whether or not technology brings more good than it brings bad: “The one thing technology doesn’t provide us with is a sense of how to make the best use of technology” ( "Why we need to slow down our lives" by Pico Iyer, TED - Moreau FYE Week One). Teenagers today have been mentally crippled by their dependence on social media. Rather than seek personal happiness and truth my generation seeks for internet validation from random people on the internet. People only post the highlights of their lives on social media leading to a very harmful perception for those viewing these highlights. With regards to having a “good” life, I believe that the internet has a heavy influence. To have a “good” life you must also embrace the bad; there cannot be good without bad. I hate the fake standards that social media sets and I look forward to bettering myself everyday regardless of what everyone else is doing. My favorite QQC that we did this semester came in week 2 when we discussed one of the primary ideas of this paper: what makes a life well-lived? When you think about famous individuals who have become icons and role-models of what the ideal life looks like, who do you think of? For me, individuals like Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Jesus stand out. All of these people had profound effects on the people around them. While I am nowhere near these inspirational people, I do try and follow some of their ideas. Helping others has to be one of my favorites. Back home I would volunteer at soup kitchens and at my local church to help those less fortunate than me. Not only are you helping people through actions like this, but I firmly believe that it benefits you as well. My favorite quote from week two pertains to this idea: “Success comes from the power of friendship” ( "Hesburgh" Produced by Jerry Barca and Christine O'Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). Building relationships with others around you is a key way to build yourself up. https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 Over the course of last semester and the first half of this semester, I have faced countless difficulties. While these difficulties are miniscule compared to the unfortunate situations that many have, they are difficulties nonetheless. Living with completely random people, getting used to a foreign environment, and making new friends are a few that I can mention off the top of my head. As stated by Kelly Clarkson “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This similar idea could be found in week 3 when we watched a video of a nun who encouraged people to embrace the challenges that they face including the most difficult challenge of them all: we must face the fact that we all will die. The nun proclaimed “But 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" Ruth Graham, NY Times - Moreau FYE Week Three) and I wholeheartedly agree with her. These challenges build character which help you later in life and gets you closer to your goal of living a “good” life. Early on into my college experience, I have felt the nagging pressures that choosing a major has. I fear that if I make the wrong decision, I could spend the rest of my life doing something that I absolutely despise. That is why after reading this quote I gained a little bit of a sense of comfort in the idea that I am not alone: “Contrary to popular belief, deciding on a major does not determine the rest of your life” ( “Navigating Your Career Journey” (Meruelo Family Center for Career Development) - Moreau FYE Week 4). While I do understand the fact that a major is important, I also recognize that it is not the sole factor determining my future. This sense of accepting things that are out of your control has been a really big problem for me my whole life. Starting by accepting some major truths such as the fact that life is what I make of it, I can become a better person that has principles that he stands for. Another week of class that I especially enjoyed was that of week 5, when rather than do a traditional QQC, we had a deep conversation with our friends. Sometimes those things are hidden so well by yourself, that it takes talking to someone else to bring out thoughts or ideas which you have had hidden. I found that amongst my friends we had similar traits, hobbies, and things that we cared for. For example, we all liked to play basketball, but one of my friends prefers cards. This idea that everyone is unique is a special advantage that everyone has. This idea of uniqueness reminds me of a quote from last semester: “Your authenticity is your distinct competitive advantage. Nobody can be you the way that you can be you” ( “2021 Laetare Medalist Address” by Carla Harris - Moreau FYE Week Five (Last semester)). These distinct qualities are things that allow all individuals to have a “good” life. If people were just copying one another they would not be having “good” lives but rather boring lives. This uniqueness fosters identity and promotes personal growth. Week six of our semester went hand in hand with week three with regards to challenges in life. Specifically, I mentioned early that my hardships were nothing compared to those who have suffered tragedies. One such individual was shown to us during this week who was paralyzed. This man was put into the darkest situations imaginable as he attempted to commit suicide. However, he explains that while it is human nature to search for the easy way out, the path with more challenges is oftentimes more beneficial: “We tend to search for the easiest and https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://news.nd.edu/news/carla-harris-2021-laetare-address/ https://news.nd.edu/news/carla-harris-2021-laetare-address/ most plausible answers” ( “5 Minutes” Aria Swarr, Grotto - Moreau FYE Week 6). I will not deny that I fall victim to this mindset sometimes whether that be in school, the gym, in sports or any other situation. We hate challenges because they put us in uncomfortable positions. However, adapting to these conditions is a trait that I consider the most inspirational people to have. Life is hard. It seems like it is out to get you sometimes, but you got people by your side. Parents, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches, and many more are just a few examples of individuals who push us to be better everyday. Week seven focused on these relationships because at the end of the day relationships are what makes humans humans. These relationships provide goals and motivation that sometimes may be lacking. While some may claim it, no one ever makes it anywhere alone. A quote that I found from that week resonated with me because I felt that it was very applicable to our political situation today: “A single individual is enough for hope to exist, and that individual can be you. And then there will be another ‘you,’ and another ‘you,’ and it turns into an ‘us’” ( “Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis, TED Conferences - Moreau FYE Week 7). While it may be easy or tempting to blame others for your problems, if we work together things would get done a lot faster. Now I am going to write my ideal eulogy: Today we say goodbye to a man who never gave up. In a world filled with so many distractions, Chris represented determination and unity. There was never a day where he woke up and did not want to be the best possible version of himself. I had the pleasure of knowing him and it truly saddens me to the passing of such a dedicated man. He was not perfect, he made mistakes and sometimes failed to become a better person everyday. However, he always learned from these mistakes and never made the same mistake twice. Recognizing failure and acknowledging it is the bravest thing that a man can do. May he rest in peace in a better place and may we strive to better ourselves everyday like he tried. https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript