Integration 1 1 Integration One Due 10/15/21 Roots: The Foundation that Sprouts the Future Very rarely do we acknowledge just how influential our roots and core beliefs shape our everyday lives. Root Beliefs are central, driving values that push us onward and upward. Whether it be to accomplish certain goals, drive relationships, or navigate self-acceptance, Root Beliefs act as the catalyst at the heart of existence. I like to think that there are three major Root Beliefs prevalent in my life, especially so as I continue to acclimate to my new home at Notre Dame. Searching for intellectual blossoming, growing through failure and unintended experiences, and pursuing truth through vulnerability are what shape me. Who I am and who I hope to become revolves around these Root Beliefs, and they provide direction in my ever-changing life. I believe that I am searching for intellectual blossoming. I have always looked for the bigger picture when it comes to education. I want to find the topic, the class, the lesson that captivates me to the point where I never check the clock. I firmly believe that if you are truly passionate about something you are learning, it will blossom into something equally rewarding and intriguing. The first time I first stepped into chemistry class in high school and the first video I ever watched about stem cell research were significant, blossoming moments in my life. They made me realize how truly possible a future career in such fields could be, and they truly taught me that such moments are defining, inspiring moments on the path to intellectual betterment. I truly believe that is why I am here at Notre Dame. Attending meetings for my Neuroscience major and the Compassionate Care in Medicine Club left me feeling the same way and reminded 2 of a quote from Week 3. “You tend to think that you are being kind to them when they are really being kind to you. They love you more than other men do, but they need you less.…They will usually seem to have a lot of time: you will wonder where it comes from” (“Faith Brings Light to a Dark World” by Professor David Fagerberg- Moreau FYE Week 3). I firmly believe those that have intellectually blossomed and found their passions exhibit this kind of behavior. They walk around with a sense of exuberance and warmth, and I have seen it everyday from my professors and faculty across campus. I truly hope that by the time I leave here I experience even a fraction of the passion that these individuals exhibit, doing so by flourishing in intellect and knowledge. I believe that I grow by failing and embracing unintended experiences. The common saying, “failure is the best teacher” exists for a reason. I honestly can't think of one time in my life where my greatest successes weren’t first failures, especially when it comes to my Notre Dame story. I was initially deferred when I applied here, and it is no secret that very few students are accepted later after being deferred. Yet, I continued to put my nose to the grindstone and pour my heart and soul into my application, and I was later admitted. Getting into Notre Dame was truly the proudest moment of my life. I still continue to struggle now that I am here, but I learn everyday from it. For the first time in my life, I am receiving B’s on assignments and barely passing tests, and it was hard for me to cope with. Yet, each shortcoming teaches me on how I should prepare better, focus more, or operate differently, an attitude that reminds me of Week Two’s topics. “Adam 1 is built by building on your strengths. Adam 2 is built by fighting your weaknesses” ( “Should You Live for your Resume or Your Eulogy?” (David Brooks, TED- Moreau FYE Week 2). My goal is to build up both Adam 1 and Adam 2, and I have made significant strides with Adam 2 since I’ve gotten here. By learning to look at a lower test score or https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/105874 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/105874 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/105844 3 project grade as a learning opportunity rather than a failure, I have become infinitely more happy and at peace with myself. Embracing unintended experiences has been equally fruitful and growth inspiring. I have always been an extremely pessimistic person, perpetually finding something to complain about. Yet, part of growing is acknowledging shortcomings and making active strides to change. I found that thinking pessimistically was a shield of sorts; I would never be let down if I expected the worst and would then be happily surprised if things worked out. I now realize how harmful a constant negative mindset could be, and discussion in Week One explained it perfectly. “You cannot selectively numb. When we numb those, we numb joy. We numb gratitude. We numb happiness, and then we are miserable” ( "The Power of Vulnerability" by Brené Brown, TedxHouston- Moreau FYE Week 1). I have learned that I have to embrace both the good and the bad equally, allowing myslef truly expereince both and come out better from it. Moreua FYE has taught me to acknowledge when I am uncomfortable, feeling down, or hurting and move forward with an open mind. For me personally, that has been one of the most fruitful changes in my life since I have been at college. I believe that I pursue truth through vulnerability. Such a dichotomy seems very ironic, but few times in my life have I experienced purer truth than when completely vulnerable. Something about embracing my true, most basic self is both calming and enlightening. The problems and winding paths of my life suddenly seem a little less daunting, and the path to proceed becomes clearer. All it takes is that one leap, step, or jump to embrace the uncomfort and truly let yourself be vulnerability. I have personally felt a lot of positive feedback from topics discussed in Moreau FYE, as topics of approaching vulnerability have frequently come up. “We cannot love the God we can’t see if we don't love the brother that we do see” (“Two Notre https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/105814 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/105814 https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187 4 Dames: Your Holy Cross Education” by Fr. Kevin Grove, C.S.C.- Moreau FYE Week 5. There is no doubt that much of my faith and being a Catholic is being completely vulnerable and opening up to God. Belief in God itself is dependent on a blind trust in someone you can’t see or tangibly feel, yet it is an incredbily rewarding relationship. So while working on phyiscal relationships like Fr. Grove says is still important, embracing a vulnerable relationship with God is something I have learned to be paramount to my life. I have also learned that vulnerability when it comes to admitting my mistakes leads to a greater truth output. “One reason people on both the right and the left are skeptical of implicit bias might be pretty simple: it isn’t nice to think we aren’t very nice” (“How to Think about ‘Implicit Bias’ by Keith Payne, Laura Niemi, John M. Doris, Scientific American - Moreau FYE Week 7). Acknowledging failure and weakness goes against who we are as humans, but it leads to important discussions and a better future as seen in our implicit biases discussion. Truth comes in many shapes and sizes, and vulnerability is a neccesary driver. I hope to continue embracing this root belief in my life as discussions in class continue, as I know productive and enlightening lessons will come out of it. With Root Beliefs shaping my future, I look to the future with optimism and excitement. I know that having Notre Dame as a medium and so many faculty and staff to guide me along the way will developed me into the man I hope to be. I expect that as the Moreau FYE continues, I come to learn and understand more Root Beliefs central to who I am. College is about self development, and there is greater place to do it than Debartlo Hall 336 at 3:30 on Tuesdays. https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/106072 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28222/modules/items/106072