Integration 1 Integration 1 10/14/21 My Safety Net Strung From Beliefs by I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we grow more together than alone. I believe that we all have a greater purpose in life. I have many beliefs but the simplest of them all is the belief that everything happens for a reason. My decision to attend Notre Dame, the ups and downs of moving across the country, and some of the hardest losses I've experienced in life. They all happened for a reason. Some reasons are quite apparent, like moving across the country has brought me closer with my family. Other times I am left searching for the reason, but no matter what, I know it's out there. Accepting this idea that you don’t know why something bad might happen, but believing that there is a larger reason is a showing of vulnerability. In week one we spoke of the importance of vulnerability in a healthy lifestyle. Vulnerability is important because once we allow ourselves to become more vulnerable to the idea that things are out of our control, we will experience a healthier and more enjoyable life (“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Morreau FYE Week One). Another way to inhibit this healthier more enjoyable lifestyle is by growing as our genuine self. I know in my own life, I have grown more and been happier when I decided to be myself versus when I tried to be someone else to impress others. When being my authentic self I have to keep in mind the difference between my Resume actions versus my Eulogy actions (“Should you live for your résumé ... or your eulogy?” by David Brooks Morreau FYE week 2). Many times I might engage in something not out of enjoyment, but because I know it will look good on a resume. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this as long as it’s being https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM Integration 1 10/14/21 identified. On the other hand, our Eulogy actions are those which distinguish our true selves, and those are which I believe inhibit happiness. My next belief is that we grow more together than we do while alone. This is based on the idea that we learn more by being around each other. Talking and sharing stories is a great way we learn through others. A great example of this is what Father Grove says in his Moreau talk. He says that as a Holy Cross Priest, he does not just teach, but he also learns. This learning is what is special, and really helps him grow. (“Two Notre Dames: Your Holy Cross Education” by Fr. Grove Morreau FYE Week 5). I identify with this idea because I know I learn so much from others in ways I never even expect. Oftentimes I find myself learning just by listening and observing my surroundings and the people occupying them. Another way I’ve learned through others was during our poetry reading in class. This was an assignment where some of us may have felt out of our comfort zone. I know it was a personal thing to share for me, but I really learned a lot about my peers and myself from it. I like the quote, “I have found a new home, Where I can be myself, And live with my peers, Who I now view as brothers.” ("Where I'm From" by , Morreau FYE Week 6) because it shows just how close I’ve grown with others while here at Notre Dame. I’ve learned from others of different cultures and creeds while here and that has helped me grow. This also piggybacks off of our week 4 lesson of life giving relationships. In class we discussed the spheres of relationships and how they grow. I have seen many people start as strangers and in the two short months since I’ve been a student at Notre Dame, they are now my closest friends. The video of “Because I love you Double Whiskey,”somewhat ties into this idea because there isn’t any friend here who I wouldn’t drop anything for to help in a heartbeat("Because I Love You, Double Whiskey" by the One Love Foundation, Morreau FYE Week 4). https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pxB1VWCj3H49P8v_XMRgXUXp2GokjEetO8PbVNiTVD4/edit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwQ5ur9OZ-g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwQ5ur9OZ-g Integration 1 10/14/21 My final belief is that we all have a greater purpose in life. This relates to why I believe I am here at Notre Dame, and why I will continue to work hard to stay here. This deeply relies on my faith. In my core, I believe that God has brought me here to build relationships and do good. I have been brought here for a reason and I will make my parents, grandparents and loved ones proud. Fr. Pete’s video discusses the framework we have and how it affects us and our story (The Role of Faith in Our Story by Fr. Pete Mccormick Morreau FYE Week 3). For me, my framework revolves around helping others, and this adds to my story. One thing I learned that doesn't necessarily fit my framework that I feel like I have to work on is implicit biases. I do not like the idea of expressing bias or being biased towards any other person. In my framework I look to treat all with equality and respect. This has brought me to think about the idea of treating others equally though. In the text, How to Think About ‘Implicit Bias’ The idea of implicit bias being a part of all of us is discussed. (How to Think About 'Implicit Bias' by Keith Payne, Morreau FYE Week 7). It is not something we intentionally do, hence the implicitness, but when addressed we can work on it and work on treating everyone better. Since enrolling at Notre Dame and taking my Moreau course, I have developed and grown. Being in such an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by unfamiliar people, I had to quickly grow. There were nights where I missed home and stayed up wishing I was sleeping in my own bedroom versus a shared one. There were times where the courses were so difficult, I was not sure if I belonged. Nomatter the problem though, I stayed, I kept working, and I grew. I showed up to class every day and I fell back on my beliefs. The most basic and important of them all are the three I listed at the beginning, because those three beliefs are what I turn to in times of need. https://youtu.be/lcZMeqWWOIs https://youtu.be/lcZMeqWWOIs https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/