Capstone Integration Tom O’Connor 4/29/22 Pursuit of the Good Life Throughout the course of my first year at Notre Dame and the moreau course, I have gained a better understanding about what it means to live a good life. Ultimately I have found that living a life well-lived comes from a combination of finding meaning in life and self-improvement. College is a time of growth, and both of these goals are vital to living a good life in the future. Because of this, it is my mission statement that I should aim to find meaning in my life and pursue growth at all times. I have found that meditation is a great way to grow and find what is truly important. “The need for an empty space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones; it’s the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape”(“Why we need to slow down our lives by Pico Iyer”- Moreau FYE week 1). This quote shows the importance of pauses in our busy lives in order to search for our essence. It is through pauses in daily life and reflection in assignments such as the last integration (Moreau FYE week 8) that I am able to better understand myself. I have been intentional about the questions that I ask when reflecting. I realized that “‘why’ questions trap us in our past; ‘what’ questions help us create a better future.” (“The Right Way to be Introspective (Yes, There’s a Wrong Way)” by Tasha Eurich-Moreau FYE week 6). These questions have allowed me to think rationally and understand if I am in an echo chamber or developing my thoughts on my own (How to Avoid an Echo Chamber by Dr. Blaschko Moreau FYE week 11). This helped me better understand my feelings towards my current life, and through meditation I have found the validity in the statement that “satisfaction is a lowly thing. How pure a thing is joy”(“Three Key Questions” by Fr. Michael Himes-Moreau FYE week 3). I https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41039/files/476425?module_item_id=149885 have understood that I often allow myself to become satisfied with my situation instead of pursuing more and growing from this pursuit through my meditation. Meaning can come from the career that is chosen. Earlier in the school year, I was unsure about the engineering major I wanted to pursue and turned to the internet for help. However I found the quote that “there is no ‘best major’ out there - but there is a ‘best major for you’”(“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Undergraduate Career Services-Moreau FYE week 4) reigns true. I decided to pick the degree which I thought I would be happiest doing, and this will allow me to have a more meaningful career. Partaking in a conversation with a friend helped immensely for understanding the career that is best for me since they knew me better than myself in some ways (Moreau FYE week 5). I also believe that growth can come from understanding the commonality between humanity. Father Hesburgh saw this when he said: “Mr President, we may have had our disagreements, but at the end of the day, we were all fishermen”(Hesburgh by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley- Moreau FYE week 2). It is because of this common nature found in all of humanity that we should act with tenderness. Pope Francis said:“tenderness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women. Tenderness is not weakness; it is fortitude. It is the path of solidarity, the path of humility. “(“Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by Pope Francis Moreau FYE week 7). This shows the strength that comes from treating others well.There is often a weakness associated with being good to each other, but I believe that this is the strongest thing that one can do. This sense of inclusion should be felt in all communities, and Christianity is no exception. “Christians have found their life together enriched by the different qualities of their many members, and they have sought to increase this richness by welcoming others who bring additional gifts, talents and backgrounds to the https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript community” (“Growing up Gay and Catholic” by Jacob Walsh Moreau FYE week 10). It is important to understand different perspectives in order to achieve inclusion. There is a lot of evil that attacks those with less power, and it is the job of the community to allow every voice to be heard. While an action that someone takes may not directly impact you, it can lead to harm in a community. “Yes, I am alive, and George Floyd is dead. I can breathe; he cannot. But just because a police officer did not murder me or my children does not mean that he did not harm us”(Dean G. Marcus Cole 'I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something.' Moreau FYE Week 12). It is in these times where communities are going through turmoil that accompaniment is necessary. “Accompaniment doesn’t necessarily mean solving the other’s problem, and in fact, in some cases, as in accompanying someone who is terminally ill, there is no ‘solution’”(Teaching Accompaniment- A Learning Journey Together, Steve Reifenberg Moreau FYE week 9). By being there for others, we can show that we care for their struggles and have a meaningful connection with them. In order to find meaning in life, we must pursue a mission. By defining my mission statement (Moreau FYE week 13). I am more aware of what I want in life. It is my goal to make myself better as an individual each day. This can be done by setting goals and aiming to treat everyone with tenderness, love, and compassion. I hope that I am able to find meaning through a career and connecting with others in order to live a happy life. A meaningful life is something that everyone wants to achieve, and I believe that my first year experience at Notre Dame has given me the tools to achieve this goal. https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/community/reflective-narrative-about-being-gay-and-catholic/ 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://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit