life well-lived integration Moreau Due 4/29/22 Life is Uncertain…Eat Dessert First My freshman year feels like it’s flown by, and I am now left with only three more years of my collegiate life. It is my hope and my mission to make the most of that time, to pursue a life well-lived through my actions and choices. Such a life is not an end goal or a moment in time, but the manner in which I act that allows me to achieve the best, most generous, patient, brave version of myself for the benefit of both myself those I spend time with. As I established in my mission statement, I want “to lean into growth and change, making the most of my opportunities and blessings” (My Mission Statement – Moreau FYE Week 13). As early as week three this semester, we were urged to reflect on the finitude of time. Sister Aletheia urges us to “remember [our] death” in her interview with NY Times (“Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember that You Will Die” by Ruth Graham – Moreau FYE Week 3). It seemed odd to me at the time that we would be asked to remember something that hasn’t happened yet, but I now understand the quote differently. I think, in fact, that we are being asked to acknowledge our mortality. The inevitability of our death is not something to mourn, but a reason to celebrate the time we do have alive. I am in a class about Ancient Greek literature this semester, and a prevalent theme throughout the books is the relationship between the gods and humans: one of jealousy on the former’s part, more often than not. We’ve speculated in class that this is because the immortality of the gods detracts from the meaning of their lives, and I am grateful, in many ways, that I am pressured by the limit of my time here to make the most of it. I thought about this, moreover, when I wrote my eulogy for integration three. The central question of that assignment was asking how I want to be remembered, and this remains a question for me now. Back in week 8, I defined my ideal legacy as “someone who knew how to make people laugh, who expressed her love of those around her and her awe of the beauty of the world” (My Eulogy – Moreau FYE Week 8), and I believe this rings true still. The biggest task, then, is to live this legacy each day; speaking one’s truth is nothing without action. Unquestionably, the most important part of my life are the people in it – my friends, family, and those who make up the larger communities I am in. I do not trust that I would be the same person without those I love. When I interviewed my father as part of my discernment process, he asserted that “community is essential for [me]” (Chris Jennings Interview – Moreau FYE Week 5), and I know that I will gravitate toward strong communities for the rest of my life. Additionally, I aim to be someone who fosters a strong community around me, and my investment in my dorm community of Cavanaugh Hall is proof of that. I am immensely proud of our accomplishment of winning Women’s Hall of the Year this year, and I think much of that is due to the culture we each contribute to – one of inclusivity, love, and spirit. As du Lac https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html establishes, “the spirit of inclusion at Notre Dame flows from our character as a community of scholarship, teaching, learning, and service founded upon Jesus Christ” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” – Moreau FYE Week 10). The University’s goal to be a force for good in the world is what attracted me to it when I was choosing a college, and I intend to embody that mission throughout my academic career here and post-graduation. I have been reminded of, both by Dean Cole’s letter in Moreau and by other sources in my CSC class, the work that must still be done in order for this school to reach its full potential. Cole writes that “That could have been my father. That could have been me” (“I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something.” – Moreau FYE Week 12). This striking similarity between the tragic experience of George Floyd and the experience of so many others, including members of this campus and school community, is powerful and agonizing. In coming to college, I’ve encountered a multitude of perspectives, it’s become important to remember Father Hesburgh’s words: “people of goodwill can disagree” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley – Moreau FYE Week 2). I strongly believe that the value of friendship comes not from similarity but from a care for the other. This is corroborated by the TED Talk by Pope Francis, in which he proclaims that “life is not time merely passing by, life is about interactions” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis – Moreau FYE Week 7). I am grateful for the interactions I’ve had on this campus – both the casual ones, and the deeper conversations that I’ve participated in. Just this morning, I was talking with two friends about the role of religion and spirituality in our lives, as this is something we are each working to define. Our phones were away, in line with Kelly’s urging “to keep the cornucopia of technology at arm’s length” (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives” by Pico Iyer – Moreau FYE Week 1), and it was such a satisfying and thought-provoking conversation. A few weeks ago, we watched a video by Dr. Paul Blaschko, and he defined echo chambers as “a social structure from which relevant voices have been actively discredited” (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Dr. Blaschko – Moreau FYE Week 11). The effects of functioning only within ideological bubbles are counterproductive, both to my understanding of the world and my ability to interact with others, and I seek to continue to engage in conversations that challenge my perspective and fulfill me. In tandem to the essentiality of strong community in my life, I strive to live in a manner consistent with Reifenberg’s reflection on faith traditions: “look beyond your immediate concerns; show compassion and accompany one another” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together ” by Prof. Reifenberg – Moreau FYE Week 9). This attitude of acceptance and empathy is important in interacting with a variety of people, each with unique backgrounds and valuable insights. I know that my career goals and plans will continue to change; after all, Dr. Donald Super describes our career discernment as a “developmental process that spans a person’s entire https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ 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://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ 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://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hZbSdVImfn2hZDqMrdL96dZCNOtHuf6C-lg3sH-Rs30/edit lifetime” on the Undergraduate Career Services page (“Navigating Your Career Journey” – Moreau FYE Week 4), but the person I aim to become is independent of my professional pursuits. Ironic though it may be, considering a mission statement is for the future, I believe that the best action I can take to live out my ideals is to remain grounded with a present focus. As Dr. Eurich explains in the TED article from week 6, “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 PhD – Moreau FYE Week 6). This quote points to the importance of living in the moment, for that is the only way to make the most of our time. I know the next three years will go by just as fast as this one has, and there will continue to be changes to adjust to and challenges to face. However, the friendships I will nourish and maintain, the personal goals I will set and work toward, and the moments of laughter and joy I will experience are each aspects of my actionable mission to live a life that is vibrant, peaceful, and in service to those it touches. https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ 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/