Moreau Integration Four Joy to Change the World April 20, 2022 Throughout my time here at the University of Notre Dame, I have evolved in many ways into a better person, with an enhanced view on the qualities which make a life well-lived. As will be explored in this piece, my prior life experience has blended with my life at Notre Dame to construct and reshape my values of my personality, and I now have a brighter vision of the future. Features of my life, such as school and major discernment, fostering an inclusive community, and staying connected to my faith, have all been highlighted and strengthened at Notre Dame. Each of these comprises an important part of my personal mission statement, of which one excerpt reads, “My goal as an upstanding human being and morally just citizen is to bring joy to other people. Living selflessly and increasing the happiness of those around me is a responsibility which I treat with great pride, and I am determined to better the conditions and mindsets of those around me in unique ways” (“Personal Mission Statement” by - Moreau FYE Week 13). My ultimate purpose in life is to bring others joy by any means at my disposal, and I have evolved over time to adapt these practices into my lifestyle for years to come. One of the pillars of my personal mission statement and my personality development is finding my place in the working world, in such a way that brings me joy, lifts others up, and creates a better world for those around me. Even before arriving at Notre Dame, the process of major discernment has been on my mind, as I have loved the art of creation ever since I was young. One of the quotes to highlight this ideology reads, “‘What are the things you can’t leave alone?’ Questions, concerns, issues that you return to over and over again because they fascinate you, they excite you, they really intrigue you, they lure you on, they get you to ask more and more questions. What are your obsessions?” (“Three Key Questions” by Fr. Michael https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fPvcZIru84sacd1l5pHBIjArwuEYEC9_I0Vt4AkbbUI/edit?usp=sharing https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40380/files/467832/download?download_frd=1 Himes - Moreau FYE Week 3). Before arriving at Notre Dame, amidst my high school career, these questions of finding what truly excites me were answered in the form of building. I loved creating custom projects from Lego bricks, and built my resume around creations which left a meaningful impact on those around me. During the college process, I also made sure that my passion and work dreams aligned with making a difference for others, as is alluded to in the quote, “He followed his passion for research to Cornell, where his graduate studies focused on the development of aluminum nitride (AIN)-based power amplifiers, which have yielded a breakthrough in the ability to produce high-power millimeter-wave frequency signals” (“Domer Dozen” by The University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week 2). Dr. Austin Hickman is one of the acclaimed Domer Dozen, and seeing the passion behind his work, and the positive difference it has brought to the world around him, was truly inspiring. The idea of following a dream to bring joy to oneself and others is a notion I had not previously explored, but came to understand and accept. As my college time has progressed, instead of simply thinking about the actions I want to pursue in the workforce, I have also had to step out of my comfort zone and speak with others about their career. As one quote describes, “But you can only go so far with online research. Eventually, you’ll need to get a first hand perspective and talk with people in career fields of greatest interest to you. You will learn so much by talking with someone in a career you are considering - the good and the bad” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week 4). Though only a first-year student, I still need to branch out and speak to others in fields of interest to me to gain a better understanding as to what job genuinely appeals to me. Reading and doing online research only means so much in comparison to having a conversation with someone who holds a job of interest to me, so I have begun these conversations slowly but surely. As a whole, navigating my college life with my major and intended work discipline in mind has been challenging, but the work I put into the search and journey now will be rewarded down the line. https://domerdozen.nd.edu https://domerdozen.nd.edu https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ In the future, I would love to have a job which harnesses my passion for building, which brings me joy, conjoined with an interactive or instruction-based medium to bring joy to others as well. Stepping away from the academic scene, another important component of my journey as a Notre Dame first-year student has been exploring the art of inclusivity. Growing up, I had always been taught to treat others as I would like to be treated, and this is often easier said than done. Being on a very diverse campus, with students and staff from many different backgrounds, I have been exposed to a wider range of viewpoints and personalities than ever before. In the words of one quote, “Pause for a moment and consider the magnitude of this message: We lose nothing of value by having no cross-racial relationships. In fact, the whiter our schools and neighborhoods are, the more likely they are to be seen as ‘good’” (“Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism” by Dr. Robin DiAngelo - Moreau FYE Week 10). Though the reality may be hard to swallow and shocking, it is extremely important to realize even the smallest unconscious biases play a role in determining who I choose to associate myself with, and this is a conflict I have worked to resolve at Notre Dame. This not only applies to the broader community, but also to me, since every problem should first be addressed in each individual, and knowing that we can always strive to make a better world is crucial for improvement. Another impactful quote on the topic of inclusion and race relations is from Dean G. Marcus Cole, who writes, “One thing that each and every one of us can do is to end the cycle of hate by ending the separation that leads to it. This racial separation and violence will not end until we stop waiting for African-Americans to enter our circles. Each of us needs to get to know people who differ from us. We must all make a conscious decision and effort to expand our circles” (“I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something.” by Dean G. Marcus Cole - Moreau FYE Week 12). Embracing everyone in society, no matter their skin color, gender, religious affiliation, or background, is something I now hold closer to my heart than before coming to Notre Dame. Expanding our circles of engagement may be difficult at first, but it is important to break boundaries and social norms with the goal of bettering society for https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdVnfLDrJUJhd-4UtYb_kfRpcFgOoOeY7O1WT8_d3iw/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdVnfLDrJUJhd-4UtYb_kfRpcFgOoOeY7O1WT8_d3iw/edit https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ everyone. Being exposed to many different and diverse people has made me realize that we are all on earth for a reason, and in such, all deserve to be treated with respect and included. In conjunction with accommodating others and bringing them into our circles, I have also learned about helping those in need by empowering them to speak their mind and voice their opinions. As one quote highlights, “‘Solidarity with the poor means not to try to be the voice of the voiceless,’ he said at the workshop. ‘This is NOT the goal. The goal should be that those who have no voice today will have voice and will be heard’” (“Teaching Accompaniment - A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week 9). This quote allows insight into the notion that simply speaking for those who do not have a voice is not enough, and in some cases, the wrong course of action. Instead, the focus should be on empowering those who do not have a say to be able to voice their opinions themselves. When speaking on behalf of others, too often the original message can be lost in translation, and the initially helpful plan turns into a mistake which causes more pain. As a Notre Dame student, it is my responsibility to help those in need, and I can do so by ensuring they have a voice and place to freely speak their mind, no matter their background. All of these topics surrounding inclusivity have been ignited and fostered through my time here at Notre Dame, and are ideals I will strive to hold across the rest of my life. When looking at the framework of my life and how it conjoins together to form my mission statement, religion is a key component which my life would be incomplete without. Ever since I was introduced to the Catholic Church from a young age, I have been filled with awe and inspiration at each and every mass or celebration. Hearing the word of God, praying, joining with others in song, and participating in the Sacraments are all critical parts of maintaining a strong relationship with God. With these in mind, I am proud to be maintaining and growing my faith here at Notre Dame, and this is a trend which I will strive to keep for the rest of my life. When I spoke with my Grandfather earlier in the semester, faith was one of the areas he highlighted in living a meaningful life, and one takeaway was, “As he described the passion with https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit which I speak to the congregation or feel during a mass, I came to realize that my connection to the church is in fact a cornerstone of my personality, which should be further explored in the future. Helping others and bringing a genuine sense of joy to those around me is a gift I often forget I possess, and would like to take more pride in and become even more involved” (“Discernment Conversation Activity” by - Moreau FYE Week 5). Staying engaged with the church in various ways, such as lectoring, allows me to take greater interest in my faith than if I were simply observing from the crowd. Being front and center at mass, proclaiming the Word of God, is a feat which brings me great joy in knowing I am fulfilling one of my religious duties, which is spreading God’s word. When I reflected on my journey of faith and the ways in which I want it to play out in the rest of my life, I dedicated a section of my Eulogy activity to this idea. Not only do I want to hold a strong connection to God, I also want to engage with those around me both in and out of mass. As I wrote in my Eulogy, “Expanding upon this sense of joy he brought to others within the church, Luke remained connected to his faith, relationship with God, and bond with his community through his regular participation at masses and volunteer events. Keeping him grounded and grateful, maintaining a connection to his parish and local area allowed for Luke to feel a heightened sense of joy from meaningful communal involvement” (“Moreau Integration Three” by - Moreau FYE Week 8). Keeping the broader picture of my life in mind, I want to make sure my faith involvement leads me on a journey of self discovery and communal engagement, which I can see is taking shape now at Notre Dame. In maintaining a life of faith and purpose, I also need to ensure my vision and judgment remains clear moving forward, and that I am the best and most honest version of myself. One of the ways in which my mind could be filtered or ignore areas worth paying attention to is if I ever become trapped in a filter bubble or an echo chamber, both dangerous areas of control. As one quote about echo chambers describes, “In the second, the group itself took steps to actively discredit dissenters. As should be clear, echo chambers are more dangerous than bubbles, partly because of their abilities to lock us into certain world views” (“How to Avoid an Echo https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ioRMBWrV51JGzFN8IO3OirnXVvpEblsqeVK7WujTYJ0/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1NvgeqBhzWFrynJKOR9iVsHr8qql5cjyyegLsvouBs/edit?usp=sharing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s Chamber” by Dr. Paul Blaschko - Moreau FYE Week 11). As the quote notes, being locked in an echo chamber is very dangerous due to the notion that once trapped, a person is unlikely to be able to speak their mind if it goes against the broader wishes of the group. Making sure I am always at a place in life where I am free to speak my mind, whether on social media, with family, amongst friends, or within day to day interactions, will be critical to my success and mental health. Also on the topic of mental health, when reflecting upon my life and interactions both in previous years and at Notre Dame, I notice I often fall into a pattern of introspection. Remembering the past and thinking what has gone well and what I wish could have gone better is an important feature of growing as a person, but in the same token, becoming burdened by things no longer in my control is harmful. In the words of one quote, “In truth, introspection can cloud our self-perceptions and unleash a host of unintended consequences. Sometimes it may surface unproductive and upsetting emotions that can swamp us and impede positive action. Introspection might also lull us into a false sense of certainty that we’ve identified the real issue” (“The right way to be introspective (yes, there’s a wrong way)” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week 6). Taking time to be introspective and reflect on my life is a practice I find myself engaging within on a regular basis, especially as a mental break from classwork and studying, but doing so incorrectly leads to more harm than good. It is important for me, in order to live my best life and stay positive, to overcome the negative thoughts and emotions which may cloud my past, as there is always room for improvement in the future. Since the primary goal for my life is to bring others joy, I must first be joyful and at peace with myself so that I can more fully give my time and effort to others. With my personal mission statement in mind, and serving as the guiding light for my future actions and endeavors, I now feel more prepared than ever to not only continue my journey here at Notre Dame, but start to look bigger and help others too. Being on a wonderful campus with many diverse people has been fueling my drive for success and has now sparked a desire to help other people through my own passions, which I now have come to understand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ as my purpose in life. As one quote expertly states, “It’s easy to feel as if we’re standing two inches away from a huge canvas that’s noisy and crowded and changing with every microsecond. It’s only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture” (“Why we need to slow down in our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week 1). Amidst the chaos of school, social life, sports, faith, and community, it is important to step back every once in a while and see the bigger picture of my life and how I fit into the world. Recalling to mind my purpose and inner calling is very powerful and meaningful, and will keep me focused on the larger scheme of the world as opposed to being trapped in every tiny detail. If something goes wrong, it is crucial to look to the future after making amends with the past, not dwelling on failure but instead using it as an opportunity to improve. In the words of His Holiness Pope Francis, “Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn't lock itself into darkness, that doesn't dwell on the past, does not simply get by in the present, but is able to see a tomorrow. Hope is the door that opens onto the future” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week 7). Having hope for the future and looking to be the best version of myself every single day is an attainable goal, and one which has become a reality during my time at Notre Dame. With my personal mission statement at the core of my life, I will be guided towards success and becoming the truest version of myself. I have the goal of bringing others joy, whether it be through my creations, inclusivity, church involvement, or anything in between, and I feel a sense of great joy already brewing inside of me. Notre Dame is the perfect starting point for turning this aim into reality, and I am ready to change the world for the better, with bringing others joy as my ultimate goal. https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ 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