Integration 1 Anderson 1 David Pruitt Moreau FYS-10101-78 15 October 2021 (N)ew (D)evelopments Belief is something that is hard-won and often changing. It is built both on experience and learning new things about others. College is a time that beliefs are either further solidified or even turned on their heads entirely, especially in the first semester. Every freshman is in an entirely new situation, whether it be physically, academically, mentally, or emotionally. New experiences force critical thinking and the development of new belief systems. As a university that focuses on the development of the mind in a healthy way, not just academically, Notre Dame definitely has that effect. Total self-realization within the first several weeks of classes is not expected, or even totally possible. However, I have still developed new beliefs and become stronger in others. I believe that I have been shaped by strength, I grow by connection, and I am made to help others. I believe that I have been shaped by strength. As a child, I was shaped by stories, much like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Moreau FYE Week 7). I saw myself represented in stories with strong female characters. I looked up to them and wanted to be exactly like the characters on the page. As a result, I worked hard to become the best version of myself. However, I am not just shaped by people that do not exist. I have been extremely lucky that all of my community has stood behind me every step of the way, but especially my mother. When I first read George Ella’s “I am From” poem, my first thought was the strength of my mother (I am From Poem by George Ella - Moreau FYE Week https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/up-next http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html Anderson 2 6). She has shaped me by showing me what it means to be strong. My mother has taught me that I can hold my ground and be vulnerable at the same time. In fact, she has highlighted how vital vulnerability with other people is for growth throughout my life, especially in regards to connection. I did not fully understand the extent of her words until I arrived at Notre Dame, but now it is one of my root beliefs. I believe that I grow from connection. This belief was, admittedly, a surprise to me when I came to Notre Dame. I have always been extremely self-sufficient and introverted. I never thought that I would need connections as much as I do for my growth. However, in admitting this truth to myself, I leaned on Brené Brown’s words about vulnerability ("The Power of Vulnerability" by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One). Her successes paired with her need to be vulnerable has opened a door that I previously thought was closed. Now, I know that, in order for me to grow as a person, I must be able to be vulnerable. When I was feeling extremely homesick at the beginning of the semester, I remembered the importance of vulnerability and human connections, so I reached out for help from my parents. Now we call each other at least once a week. This connection with them has been invaluable. When I caught a bad cold, I was able to let people know that I was not doing well, allowing for more genuine connections than if I decided to pretend everything was perfect. In essence, making connections has helped and will continue to help grow my strengths and diminish my weaknesses. David Brooks highlights the importance of qualities that will make someone’s eulogy ("Should You Live For Your Resume or Your Eulogy" by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week 2). These qualities, kindness, bravery, wisdom, and the like, are the strengths that forge connections. Without these characteristics and the connections that come from them, human growth is not possible. Human connections can also help grow my quest for self-discovery, something Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C. calls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&list=PLmiPsabET-W_hjesjTZaITh2s1WbM-Kd0&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&list=PLmiPsabET-W_hjesjTZaITh2s1WbM-Kd0&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM Anderson 3 “The greatest journey you will ever go on” ("The Role of Faith in Our Story" by Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week 3). Some of the most important aspects of self discovery come from having to be vulnerable in a new place, like college. The connections made in the moments of vulnerability, whether it be in class, within a residential hall, in a club, on a team, or more, are what lead to the discovery of one’s true self. I now know that I need to find the courage to be vulnerable enough to make connections to others in order to make discoveries about myself. Only then can I fulfill what I was made to do. I believe that I was made to help others. Like Father Sorin’s hope for Notre Dame articulated in his letter to Father Moreau, I have a hope for myself to be a means of spreading good in the community ("Letter to Bl. Basil Moreau '' by Father Sorin - Moreau FYE Week 5). I wish to address the systemic issues in society in a positive, transformative way. I know that the things I am learning at Notre Dame will help me in my endeavors. For example, some of my classes this semester study the structures in our society that are detrimental to our most vulnerable citizens. I have learned methods on how to best combat those issues in ways that promote the safety of the maximum number of people, whether that be conflict transformation or the study of strategic and principled nonviolence. I also truly believe that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers ("It's On Us ND- 3 Ds of Being an Active Bystander" by Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week 4). However, this requires active listening. It is our job, as a community, to make sure that we take care of each other. When we agree to live in a society, it is our responsibility to look out for the weakest people in our community. This takes skills that cannot necessarily be taught in a classroom through readings and essays. One must learn to listen to others in order to maximize one’s ability to help in their plight. I hope to get as close as possible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o56woQDq3QrRkziT8eYrvYly5CQaP2Vb/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qk5iI7HctYydSB3xYZs5hNClJ-uo5Hq4/view Anderson 4 to perfecting the art of actively listening and learning. Then, I can fulfill my role as an ally to oppressed people in our society. In my time at Notre Dame, I have learned or affirmed that I believe that I have been shaped by strength, I grow by connection, and I am made to help others. The strength of others around me, physically and otherwise, has made me into the person I am today. The need for connection, a relatively new revelation, is vital for my growth as a person. I have affirmed that I believe that my purpose in life is to help as many people as I can. In order to do this, I must listen to others and apply the knowledge I have learned at Notre Dame to real world situations. I am sure that I will learn even more about my beliefs, not only in the next semester and a half, but the next four years of my college experience. The most important thing is that I continue to think critically about new information being presented and take the time to reflect on those ideals before I decide what I believe to be true. Only then can new developments truly take place.