Integration 1




Understanding the beliefs that have informed my knowledge

Often when one is asked to state their beliefs, they begin by affirming something along
the lines of,  “I believe that Notre Dame is the best university” or rather “I believe that burgers
are better than hot dogs.”  While there may be some truth to these statements, what we have here
are statements of opinion rather than true self-beliefs.  Now that I’m eight weeks into my
freshman year of college, I feel as though I have discovered and have grown to understand more
of what I actually believe.

To begin, I believe that I am searching for a community that will support me and help me
to be my best self.  During week one of Moreau, we learned that “The people who have a strong
sense of love and belonging, believe that they are worthy of love and belonging.”  (“The Power
of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One).  As an only child, being away
from home for the first time forced me to find a new community of people I could trust, but most
importantly find a community where I felt comfortable to just be myself.  At first, I was unsure if
I would find friends or people I could relate to, but with Notre Dame’s commitment to inviting
students into their family I feel as though I have become not part of just one community, but
welcomed into many.  For example, I really love playing volleyball and at the student activities
fair I was given the opportunity to try out for the club team.  Fortunately after many rounds of
tryouts I made the team!  As one of two freshmen, I was greatly welcomed to this small
community of other volleyball players who support me in improving my playing skills as well as
developing my leadership skills.  This is just one community that I consider myself part of here
at ND.  I feel the same way about my dorm, its culture, and the people living there as well as
other groups I’ve joined around campus.  I will use this belief in order to create a welcoming
community for others to join and feel welcomed into whether that be in sports, academics,
student life, or just social life in general.

My next thought is that I believe that I forge life-giving relationships by sharing my love
with others and being my true self.  For week two of Moreau, we discussed the difference in
virtues visible to others, those we put on our resume and those we would hear at our eulogy;
more or less what we think people think about ourselves vs what they actually think/see.
Through David Brooks' video we discovered that “Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be
accomplished alone.” (“Should you live for your résumé ... or your eulogy?” By David Brooks -
Moreau FYE Week Two).  What I believe he means here is that God created us to help each
other become better people, to learn from one another, and form relationships.  We need others to
help us to discover our true selves. Coming into college and a new environment not knowing
anyone, to be able to make true friends I had to be my true self.  As short of time as it has been, I
feel as though I have formed life-forging relationships with the group of friends I have made all
because I was my true self and they were accepting of me.  It is a testament to knowing my self
worth and something for the future to always be my true self because the real relationships I
form come from those who love me for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM


I believe that my purpose in life is to discover my true self and be a light for others.
During week three of Moreau we learned that “The greatest journey you will ever go on is one of
self-discovery, on this journey, success, productivity and failure are an afterthought, what truly
matters is responding to the best of your ability as the person God has created you to be.” (“The
Role of Faith in Our Story” By Fr. Pete McCormick - Moreau FYE Week Three).  I found this
quote extremely applicable to my calculus class.  At the beginning of the semester I was doing
well on homeworks, quizzes and other problem sets. I found the workload to be manageable and
the content understandable.  But then, come week 5, I was introduced to concepts that I really
wasn’t understanding, I would spend hours doing homework and felt unprepared for some of the
quizzes because I just didn’t get it.  Part of my self-discovery was recognizing that I needed help
in understanding different topics from that class and from then on I sought out help.  Now I’m
understanding topics better and feel comfortable asking certain things to be reexplained to me in
order to get a grip on a topic.  I encourage others to seek help if they too find themselves
struggling in a class or just need someone to talk to.

I believe that I grow by surrounding myself with people who build me up.  In week four
of Moreau we came to the conclusion that  “The best kind of friendships are the ones where you
leave with a smile on your face, knowing you’re both growing to be better people and that you’re
helping each other get there” (“5 Signs You’re In a Toxic Friendship” By Olivia Taylor - Moreau
FYE Week Four).  With the friendships I have built in these last eight weeks, I feel as though this
quote could not be more accurate.  Everyday when I’m eating lunch or dinner with my friends,
our table is filled with constant laughter and happiness.  I recognize that when I myself am
around people who make me feel good, I too smile unconsciously and am in an overall happier
mood. I will use these positive experiences to be a positive person for someone else to assist in
their journey of growing to be a better person as well.

I believe I am responsible for my thoughts and actions and they pertain to others.  In
week five of Moreau we discussed how “A catholic education means that every discipline that
searches for truth, shares in that final and most beautiful truth that calls us to serve each other in
love” (“Two Notre Dames: Your Holy Cross Education” By Fr. Kevin Grove - Moreau FYE
Week Five).  If I’m around other people I should be aware of how what I may say or do may
affect them.  My roommate is an international student and unfortunately due to travel restrictions
her parents were unable to move her in and she won’t get to see her family for the first time
again until Christmas break.  Oftentimes we love sharing stories about our families, and this
semester my parents came to visit for one of the games.  I guess you could say we “adopted” my
roommate for the weekend and my parents happily took care of her and I know her parents are
unable to be here.  Yet as happy as she was during that time I couldn’t help but wonder if my
parents being there made her wish her parents could also come.  I recognize that she misses them
a lot and am always down to listen and tell more stories about our families.  I hope to use this
experience and others similar to it to be able to think about how what I may say or do will affect
those around me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&t=6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&t=6s
https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/relationships/signs-of-toxic-friendships/
https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=859bc1a8-0d0f-4eb4-a1c1-d0a45c429187


I believe that I pursue the truth by being honest.  During week six of Moreau we wrote
poems about where we are from.  It was a chance to truly tell our stores of who we are in a
creative sense more or less.  A few lines from my poem included “I am from jumping in puddles
to standing in the rain...Feeling the crisp drops of water as they cascade down my face...I am
from sun rises to the sun shining in my eyes” (“Where I’m From” By  - Moreau
FYE Week Six).  Now although I was being a bit literal about where I’m actually from, these
lines are indicative of who I honestly am.  I enjoy being outside and absorbing all nature has to
offer.  Just the other day it was raining when I was walking to class, so I just took a moment and
let the rain pour down on me, and I loved it.  When we are honest about who we are and what we
want, we are working towards finding our true selves.  I will take these moments of
self-discovery as foundations for my personality and self.

I believe that I am made to discover my true self and help others discover theirs.  During
this past seventh week of Moreau we saw that “Power is the ability not just to tell the story of
another person, but to make it the definitive story of that person.” (“The Danger of a Single
Story” By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Moreau FYE Week Seven).  I think what this means is
that power allows one to make experiences and other occurrences be the story of a person, let it
be their identity.  With this power we are meant to find our true selves and let others see us in this
way.  At the same time we must use our power to help others find their true selves and lead them
down a path of self-discovery.  Using things such as the power of our voice or the power to stand
up to one another will help us in this journey.

In these eight weeks of college, I feel as though I have developed a set of beliefs that will
guide me the next four years in my journey at Notre Dame.

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story