Integration 1


Integration One: The Secret Recipe to a “Heightened Sense of Self”

I believe that I am searching for belonging and consistently positive spaces.
"In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen."

(“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One)
In high school, I excessively promoted inclusivity and a sense of belonging in all the

spheres I was a part of. For instance, as section leader, I made it my mission to maintain a
creative atmosphere for me and my musical peers. By coupling my farcical yet sternly
productive leadership style with my ongoing desire to make the band an all-inclusive space, I
could see this extracurricular blending into a family. Additionally, diversity and inclusion hold a
special place in my heart as a black woman. Because of that, I strive to become a beacon of
warmth for myself, my peers, and maybe the entire student body. That being said, it started to
feel like my past work was all for naught in coming to Notre Dame. For someone who valued
inclusion and belonging for such a long time, why is it taking me so long to find my own?
Drawing from the quote, I can assert that I initially wasn’t allowing myself to be seen. I can’t
even describe the awkwardness that comes with culture shock and immediately assimilating into
a space with no ease into it. That same apprehension is what I believe clouded my perception of
my self and how I wanted others to perceive me. With the content provided from week one, I
hope to make great strides toward myself up and gradually become more comfortable with being
seen. In the weeks proceeding week 1, I’ve made it a point to insert myself into positive spaces,
where I’m appreciated exactly how I am.

I believe that I can grow as my authentic self by presenting my authentic self.
Reflecting on the contents of week two came with an overall reflection of my self. Tasked

with completing the (VIA Character Strengths Survey- Moreau FYE Week 2,) I wasn’t expecting
much, for I thought I knew myself; I considered myself authentic to a degree. After getting my
results, I was surprised to see that my lowest rankned “traits” were love and humanity, but more
importantly, “valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing & caring
are reciprocated; being close to people.” My initial ideas of authenticity came crashing down,
and the results only prompted me to take a deeper look at myself. Were my past friendships all
for naught? Was I never being my authentic self the entire time? The series of questions further
prompted me to tailor my wants and needs when it came to friendships. Sure, as a first-year, its
easy to go towards the route of making friendships with anyone and everyone. There’s definitely
nothing wrong with that, but I feel that it causes us to lose sight of meaningful relationships, and
being accepted into a space as you are as your authentic self. I don’t want to feel like I have to—
deviate a part of my being to be accepted into a space, and aim to reach that high point with the
help of the survey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register?registerPageType=popup


I believe that strengthening my faith can positively impact my life, especially at
Notre Dame.

A framework; a support structure or system that holds parts together. A common theme
here involves self-reflection after finding out I’m not as “structrually developed” as I woud’ve
thought. In a video form Fr. Pete McCormick, he offers fresh insight regarding the overall
importance of establishing a framework, and how it can keep you grounded, and even survive in
life. (The Role of Faith in Our Story Fr. McCormick- Moreau FYE Week 3) Additionally, text
from Prof. Faherberg specifically provides me with methods on how to strengthen my
framework, or in his words, “fix my spiritual lighting” (Faith Brings Light to a Dark World
-Faherberg, Moreau FYE Week 3.) With the previous knowledge of love and humanity being a
weak point for me, I will and have already started to use this week’s content to understand the
importance of the gift of  faith and love,  hoping that I can build upon that weakness and
establish a stronger framework as a whole.

I believe that I forge life-giving relationships by valuing mutualism.
As previously mentioned, it’s so easy for us as first-years (and at any age) to jump into

any and every friend group (at least in the beginning) and not actually valuing the quality of the
friendship. It has happened to the best of us. However, situations like these have only lead me to
further value the importance of mutialism in friendships. Mutualism, a term that is broadly linked
with science, refers to a relationship in biology or sociology that is mutually beneficial to two
living things, or in layman’s terms, where both are happy. I believe that friendships shouldnt be
parasitic, and that great friendships should allow all parties to learn from eachother and grow
together. The Red Flag Campaign’s infographic provides aspects of both healthy and unhealthy
friendships, aspects that I will internalize and use them to seek out relationships that will not
only empower me but allow me to empower others. (The Red Flag Campaign- Moreau FYE
Week 4)

I believe that stories shape my journey by providing a string of growth, and
comparing what was to what’s to come.

“Use who you are, what you know, and who you know to help others; for that will take
your life from success to significance.”( 2021 Laetare Medalist Address, Carla Harris- Moreau
FYE Week 5)
Storytelling and creating narratives are crucial to growth; you always want to have something to
look back on, but at the same time, use a story to look forward. Coming to college for the first
time, nobody knows your narrative; nobody knows what it took to get here, or the struggles on
the way. Your new narrative starts with your first step on campus grounds. Using your narrative
to bring significance to your life, as Harris eloquently explains, is something that I had never
considered was such a powerful tool. The content from this week, as impactful as it was,
prompted a shift within me and how I go about personal growth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=UniversityofNotreDameCampusMinistry
https://bit.ly/2MwCxs4
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54da632be4b0c3a7f3a8a90d/t/55689339e4b0d6fc6b6e2f28/1432916793921/Healthy+vs+Unhealthy.pdf
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54da632be4b0c3a7f3a8a90d/t/55689339e4b0d6fc6b6e2f28/1432916793921/Healthy+vs+Unhealthy.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSwjn-SyB4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSwjn-SyB4


I believe that I am formed from past experiences-good or bad.
“...Remember, you are the expert on you. No one else sees the world as you do; no

one else has your material to draw on. You don't have to know where to begin. Just
start.…”( Where I'm From" (George Ella Lyon) - Moreau FYE Week 6)

This week was different in the way that rather than being provided content, It was me
providing the content. Lyon response to a poem, which turned into the widely popular “Where
I’m From” concept, was an exercise in which (positively) forces you to magnify on and look into
yourself, and essentially how you got to be who you are today. In a way, it sort of links with the
previous week by way of putting our narratives on a pedestal of significance. Additionally,
writing the poem brought a degree of sentimentality. It reminded me of my authentic self, my
past experiences, etc and certain nuances in my own personality that are usually overlooked (by
myself)  in my daily life. I believe that the poem will aid in my growth by serving as motivation;
reminding me of where I’ve come from, and use it to take me forward.

I believe that I pursue truth by maintaining openmindedness.
“it isn’t nice to think we aren’t very nice. It would be comforting to conclude, when we

don’t consciously entertain impure intentions, that all of our intentions are pure. Unfortunately,
we can’t conclude that: many of us are more biased than we realize” ("How to Think About
'Implicit Bias'" Keith Payne, et.al- Moreau FYE Week 7)

Implicit bias is not a concept I’m unfamiliar with. In fact, implicit bias, a set of
subconscious patterns that we all have in our brains, (whether we like them or not) affects all of
us. The content from this week reintroduced the true definition to me, but also provided several
perspectives on how certain groups respond to it. From my own experience, implicit bias is
uncomfortable, and the fact that it’s ingrained in even the best of us makes it even more difficult
to understand and dismantle. For many instances of implicit bias, especially in racial instances, it
than likely involved someone that is close minded. I believe that this week's content will prompt
me to dig down to the source of implicit bias, and further use my voice and my experience with
implicit bias to open up the minds of my peers.

https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/25086/modules/items/109407
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/