Anderson Integration 4 Anderson 1 Cultivating a Well-Lived Life College is wonderful for a lot of reasons. I have made new friends, learned to live semi-alone, and have gotten the chance to partake in high-level academic discussions. However, the only downside to some of these good things is that it can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many amazing subjects to devote time to, whether it be voting rights, women’s rights, nonviolent resistance, immigration reform, or geopolitics in the Middle East. The wonderful variety can also scramble what I previously thought I wanted to focus on in my life to make sure it is well-lived. This academic year has led me to recognize the importance of having a general mission statement to guide my life in its path to being well-lived (“Mission Statement” by Olivia Anderson - Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). Overall, my mission of a well-lived life consists of helping make the world a better place, learning as much as I can about other people and their points of view, and showing others that it is alright–and even encouraged–to admit vulnerability. My mission in life in order to live a life well-lived includes making the world a better place as much as I can. I have always believed that, if I have a certain skill set, I am obligated to use it to help others (“Three Key Questions” by Fr. Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). In my case, I want to use my skills in public speaking and discourse in order to advocate for those that are marginalized by society at large (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week Nine). I might run into issues with this part of my mission, particularly in those that have different ideas than mine. Overcoming this roadblock requires me to recognize that people may disagree with me, but put my goals ahead of my pride. Disagreement and collaboration towards a shared goal are not mutually exclusive (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O'Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). In fact, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y2XjdX-JxqWI6nPqfZIjCd5LgmmDrBG2AVb4DRUwbHo/edit https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/files/470631?module_item_id=145531 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/modules/items/145669 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/modules/items/145669 https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 Anderson 2 disagreement forces me to consider more perspectives, allowing for a more effective solution to be found. I also want to expose myself to new people and ideas as a part of my mission to live a well-lived life. Most people, including myself, are put in echo chambers by social media algorithms or the social circles they inhabit (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Professor Paul Blaschko - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). These echo chambers limit the amount of information one is exposed to, so people sometimes cannot access new types of people or points of view. One specific example revolves around how I am exposed to racism. As a white woman from a predominately white town, my “socialization [rendered me] racially illiterate” (“Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism” by Dr. Robin D’Angelo - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Even though I tried to take the initiative to learn and had parents that were actively anti racist, I am not always racially aware because I have not been exposed to certain ideas or concepts regarding race and racialization. The best way to break these echo chambers is to make a deliberate effort to expose myself to new information and ideas (“I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something” by Dean G. Marcus Cole - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). A well lived life is one that is in constant pursuit of knowledge, which can then lead to breaking down judgements of people I may disagree with or have preconceived notions about (“Tattoos on the Heart” by Fr. Greg Boyle - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Less judgements of other people leads to even more possible sources of information to consume. Therefore, the aspect of my mission in life dealing with exposure to new information comes right back to the start. All of the new information gained will shape me into a better person and shape my life into one that is better lived (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdVnfLDrJUJhd-4UtYb_kfRpcFgOoOeY7O1WT8_d3iw/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdVnfLDrJUJhd-4UtYb_kfRpcFgOoOeY7O1WT8_d3iw/edit 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://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/files/524001?module_item_id=168039 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/38593/files/524001?module_item_id=168039 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ Anderson 3 Living a life well lived also includes showing others that vulnerability can be a good thing. When I was in high school, I was extremely anxious. I also felt like I could not reach out to other people because I equated vulnerability with weakness (“Week 5 Discernment Activity” by - Moreau FYE Week Five). However, I realized that a life well lived requires me to give myself a bit of a break (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). If I was able to tell my younger self to give myself some grace and lean on others, I would in a heartbeat (“A Letter to the Past” by - Moreau FYE Week Eight). It is now part of my mission in life to advocate for that same realization in others. Vulnerability is a good thing. Nobody has all the answers. Even when people actively try to reflect on their lives, they may not dive deep enough or only tell themselves what they want to hear (“The right way to be introspective (yes, there’s a wrong way)” by Tasha Eurich PhD - Moreau FYE Week Six). It takes a lot of vulnerability to admit that and it is extremely difficult. Therefore, I want to set the example for others by keeping my habits of vulnerability in front of others. Sometimes, all someone needs is to see someone else being vulnerable to spark their own journey to comfortable vulnerability. Setting this example would also force me to continue to be vulnerable, improving my well lived life. Facets of my mission of a well lived life includes making the world a better place, exposing myself to new information and ideas, and continuing to be vulnerable while helping others with the same goal. Improving the world through my various skills and coming together with people I disagree with initially will uplift the voices of marginalized communities. Exposing myself to new perspectives will break echo chambers, allowing me to access new information. That knowledge allows for the promotion of a life well lived, as more information increases quality of life. In the new acquisition of knowledge, I will also be less biased against https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ENiMKell1Re4yMbLnyx9hGa7ImZ8tVvmK5XKXT8USq0/edit https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/14nWdQeakdJ69CKavSCkcka6gc1iapbctU1WfzdD8v6c/edit https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ Anderson 4 others, as I will have more information about their experiences. A life well lived also includes vulnerability and the promotion of vulnerability in others. Nobody knows everything, so having that vulnerability allows for less anxiety in general. I have a duty to help others in their quest to be vulnerable because I have been at the beginning of the journey and it is extremely difficult. Overall, a life well lived is one that helps others in as many ways as possible while bringing in as much knowledge as I can. Everything else will fall into place.