Prof. Pruitt Moreau FYE 24 April 2022 How I will make the Most of my Life. Before starting my first year here at the University of Notre Dame, I had put off thinking about how I would go about pursuing a well-lived life. I knew I had to eventually plan for my future but at the time, I had room to procrastinate about these sorts of things. Now that I am on the brink of finishing my first year of college, it is time I started thinking about what ways are best to further my own personal development. Originally, I was not a fan of the Moreau First- Year Experience course, but I now realize that it helps to strengthen the moral foundations I was raised on and gives me an idea of how to actually carry out what forms these foundations in my life. I specifically had to think about my future in relation to this when I stopped and sat down to write my personal mission statement, as it was something that I could not just make up some random words and submit a halfhearted statement. Even though my answer was serious, and I put a lot of thought into it, it still needs to be refined so that I have a better understanding of what leads to a fulfilling life. I touched upon a few ideas, such as serving and respecting others, acting in wisdom, and responding to suffering. These are all good to master, yet I felt there was so much from the Moreau First-Year Experience that could also be included. Fully forming a solid idea on these topics and how to execute them is crucial. I hope to keep forming and shaping the skills I need to during the final three years I have here at this university. Looking back at what I had written for the mission statement, I saw that although what was stated was good, it focused primarily on how I planned to help others in my future endeavors. Being other-centered is very important, but to truly get to the stage of putting others first there has to be a serious look at the self. The first step in this self-examination is to slow down and take the time to do so, as Pico Iyer’s Ted Talk and Aria Swarr’s “Five Minutes” advised us to do. It is easy for us to get distracted by our busy lives but slowing down is a good start. As I should have learned sooner, it is also key to recognize that there is a limited amount of time to chase this lifestyle. This is where ideas such as “Memento Mori” come into play (Ruth Graham, NY Times Article). From there, it would do me good to draw on the experiences and examples of others to help myself, as was done through the “Domer Dozen” and the video on Father Hesburgh. I am not the only one trying to walk this path, and it is reassuring to know that others have gone before me and succeeded in this pursuit of this kind of life. Part of it is making an effort on my part to actively explore and discern. It is not about waiting for things to happen. Starting with exploration, a career is definitely a way to do so (Meruelo Family Center for Career Development Activities). Of course, having a good career does not lead to fulfillment, but it is a good way to discover and fulfill what I wrote in my mission statement. When talking about discernment, my remaining years will be full of it. Helped along by the Moreau Discernment Activities (Week 5), discerning is a slow process that pays off in the end. Even past the next three years, discerning a fulfilling life will take a lifetime. Through discernment, then I will be able to grow in wisdom in making the right decisions. I will be able to effectively avoid things like echo chambers (Week 11), which are things that would hinder my journey to discovering myself. It would also aid in helping me act with more courage because I would know (through discernment) who and what to stand for just like Marcus Cole’s article on George Floyd. All in all, self-reflection and self-awareness are essential when beginning a life that is contented. Now that we have covered the aspects I should master when it comes to myself, now is the time to continue building on the other-centered messages found in my self-reflection. I mentioned serving and respecting others, acting in wisdom, and responding to suffering, but these stem from embracing humanity and its faults. Notre Dame’s “Spirit of Inclusion” touched on this: “The social teachings of the Catholic Church promote a society founded on justice and love, in which all persons possess inherent dignity as children of God.” My time here at Notre Dame has taught me to respect and love people from all different backgrounds. I should not only do this because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is what God calls me to do. Once humanity is embraced, then can we truly respond to suffering and help others from the heart. It will be with pure intentions that we help those on the margins, as Steve Reifenberg did when he traveled to South America to help the communities there (Week 9). Then, I can go about forming meaningful relationships, as Fr. Gregory Boyle did through Homeboy Industries (Week 7). When writing my personal mission statement, my main focus was on helping others. What I did not realize at the time was that I needed to focus on developing myself as much as I would focus on helping the marginalized. If I had to rewrite what I had already put down, I would make the promise to strengthen my own personal foundations alongside striving to make the world better. In my next three years what I have learned and reinforced here will sure to help me not only during these years but also in my future pursuits. A secure future does not necessarily mean a life worthy of being proud of, and I hope to be able to secure the latter using what I have learned here. Bibliography (“Why We Need to Slow Down our Lives” by Pico Iyer – Moreau FYE Week One) (“Domer Dozen” by Notre Dame – Moreau FYE Week Two) (Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die” by The New York Times – Moreau FYE Week Three) (“Career Development Reflection” by Notre Dame – Moreau Week Four) (“Discernment Conversation Activity” by Notre Dame – Moreau Week Five) (“Five Minutes” by Aria Swarr, Grotto – Moreau Week Six) (“Tattoos on the Heart Chapter 8” by Fr. Gregory Boyle – Moreau Week 7) (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg – Moreau Week 9) (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” by Notre Dame – Moreau Week 10 (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Notre Dame – Moreau Week 11 (“I am George Floyd. Except, I can Breathe. And I can do something.” by Marcus Cole, Notre Dame – Moreau Week 12 (“Notre Dame Mission” by Notre Dame – Moreau Week 13 https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://domerdozen.nd.edu/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://nd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0AGRyH4SWX0bz38 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/modules/items/145578 https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/files/524001?module_item_id=168039 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/modules/items/145669 https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s 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://www.nd.edu/about/mission/