As a first-year college student, there is much left for me to learn, and much more for me to accomplish. However, while I have come to accept my opportunity for further growth, I have also bound myself to a mission in hopes of achieving a life well lived. Since being at Notre Dame, my sense of acceptance and belonging have been strengthened in a variety of manners, specifically altering my beliefs and personality. I have been challenged in wisdom, thought, and connection throughout this first year, and I would like to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone in the future. 
I believe that one of the largest factors in living a life well lived is finding a good balance of ambition and relaxation. Often, life can be consumed by nonstop action, which breeds a state of satisfaction only with constant entertainment.  Philosopher Blaise Pascal discerns that, “All the unhappiness of men arises from one simple fact: that they cannot sit quietly in their chamber” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Lyer - Moreau FYE Week One). In this way, I have discovered that my desire to always keep moving forward is actually having the opposite effect that I expect. Instead of accomplishing everything, I often overwork myself and miss out on the small things in life; it’s better to slow life down and enjoy it fully. Sitting stagnant is not bad, and practices like meditation, yoga, or just thinking would be majorly beneficial to ensuring the healthiest and most productive standards. However, I also believe we should cautiously live by the idea that Fr. Michael Himes presents that, “The only time your vocation is settled is when you are settled (six feet under that is!)” (“Three Key Questions” by Fr. Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). I believe this method is a great strategy to live life by to ensure I am getting the very most out of it, as Icontinuously searching for the most joy is bound to somewhat provide it. Of course, I think the best path to a life well lived is a good balance of these strategies. This is the perfect formula to experience just the right amount of stimulation and relaxation, which would produce an ultimate level of happiness in my life.
Another major factor of a life well lived is learning to consistently contemplate and reevaluate in a healthy manner. Life is not the easiest thing to understand, by any means. It has ups, downs, expectations and surprises. For example, Dr. Jihoon Kim lost most movement in his body in a snowboarding accident but he reflected by saying, “So as I began just thanking God and being more positive about the things that I had already, I was able to do things more gladly, and with gratitude and joy and hope” (“Five Minutes” by Aria Swarr - Moreau FYE Week Six). Dr. Kim is a prime example of how we can reflect upon our lives and learn to reevaluate the way we think. I believe practicing healthy and optimistic thoughts is essential to allowing myself to believe life can be good, and ultimately achieving it. Another form of revaluation can emerge in the way we choose to judge others. In a 2020, Notre Dame graduate Tia B. Paulette formed a project which helped influence a case where, “Elkhart County prosecutors dismissed a murder charge against Andy Royer, who spent 16 years in prison despite being innocent” (“Domer Dozen” by University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week Two). Thinking with these terms of acceptance and understanding displayed in this case, are greatly important strategies to ensure a healthy and fair connection with the world. I hope to follow this approach of reevaluation and contemplation in life in the upcoming years, as a way to open new possibilities, view points, and overall forms of happiness; a necessity for a good life.
One of my most serious standards for a life well lived involves connecting with others and forming strong relationships.  I believe life is  meant to be lived alongside others. In a TED talk delivered by the Pope, he explains that, “Each and everyone's existence is deeply tied to that of others: life is not time merely passing by, life is about interactions” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). We cannot live life completely on our own; there is a higher significance to life than that, and this significance is surfaced through relationships with others. I want to meet new people, accept their experiences, and ultimately make life interesting, fresh, and purposeful through its interactions. When I interviewed my girlfriend she concurred that, “I am a person who loves connecting with others, and sees it as a major role in my happiness” (“Moreau Discernment Conversation Activity” by  - Moreau FYE Week 5). I understand that through relationships, we are introduced to love, friendships, and belonging, which hold large significance in the happiness we feel day to day and in the long run. The Meruelo Family Center For Career Development agrees with this claim in the way that, “If you actively engage in the process, take ownership, and utilize the tools at your disposal you will reap the benefits and establish a satisfying professional life” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week 4). I see the people and potential relationships around me as the greatest tool at my disposal. I wish to acquaint myself with family, friends, or authority figures who can share in my life journey, value me, and guide me willingly throughout. In response, I aim to embrace those around me just the same, who put their trust in me as someone who they desire a true relationship with. Ultimately, relationships and connections with others are what makes the world variable and enables growth, so I have acknowledged that as a large part of achieving my most successful and happy life.
Another portion of my mission is to respond well to any hardships or suffering that stand in my way of enjoying life. Sometimes we are let down, disappointed, or fail, but I believe it’s best to get back up and keep trying. Anthropologist Carolyn Nordstrom presents the idea that, “As children we had great and amazing dreams, but slowly they are stifled as we get older. Those dreams are still there waiting for the day that they will be awoken from their dormancy” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Professor Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week 9). I plan to attempt to awaken those dreams by experiencing the world through supplementation and experience. I believe that approaching the world with this strategy, will ultimately breed meaningful change and inspire others to follow in these footsteps along the way. In a world that can often be glum, one-dimensional, and full of suffering, this approach would be key to making my life worth living.
	Part of my mission towards achieving a life-well lived involves being accepting of all and embracing humanity. However, this can be difficult to achieve sometimes as we, myself included, often struggle with accepting and embracing ourselves. One article about embracing yourself features a priest telling a gay, Catholic man, “‘I think you don’t believe God loves you because you don’t love yourself,’ he told me. ‘You don’t believe you can be loved. You think if people knew the real you, they wouldn’t love you either’” (“Growing up Gay and Catholic” by Jacob Walsh - Moreau FYE Week 10). In this sense, my mission actually revolves more around learning to fully love myself for who I am.  I have learned that loving yourself correctly offers the most true, accurate, and unconditional kind of acceptance in this world, which we all need in desire. In allowing myself to feel this self-love, I can experience life in a brighter manner, which will enable me to replicate and spread this acceptance and love to those around me, regardless of how different they are from me. Helping others feel loved is a major goal of mine to help make the world around me happier and better, and ultimately give my life meaning.
	Another major part of my mission is to grow in wisdom. Often in life we become caught in echo-chambers, and we shut out ideas that oppose our opinion. For example, because sports fans have such strongly opposing opinions, it’s common practice that, “There's never a goal to convince a Yankee fan to come to the Red Sox. It doesn't matter” (“Passion Isn’t Enough” by Hidden Brain Media - Moreau FYE Week 11). While this example might seem trite, it represents how society truly handles itself. However, in my time at Notre Dame, I have come to know that there is a lot more to learn and experience than what’s at your fingertips. I’ve come to hear and accept the ideas of many who come from vastly different backgrounds than myself, and I have realized that this has helped me grow into a more mature and unbiasedly knowledgeable person: a feeling I believe replicating throughout the rest of my life will make it worthwhile.
	Another pillar I hope to replicate is the ability to act courageously in life. I aspire to mimic the courage that Jesus used, out of love, and an ultimate goodness,  to unite people through our struggles and bind us together as one.The Constitutions of the Congregation of the Holy Cross discerns that, “The same Spirit moved Father Moreau to found the community of Holy Cross in which we have responded to the call to serve Christ” (“Constitutions of the Congregation of the Holy Cross” - Moreau FYE Week 12). Instead of refraining from making hard decisions or being afraid of the consequences of my actions, I wish to always attempt to believe in myself, take a leap of faith, and at least offer a shot at making a difference and bringing people together. Living by this standard would help me grow in wisdom and character tremendously, as it offers me the most authentic and fulfilling experience in life, as I devote myself to confidently doing what I want to with fortitude.
At the end of the day, living a life well lived is based on opinion. Only you can decide if your life was worthwhile, and only you can make an effort to make it so. In my opinion, I would believe I lived a life well-lived specifically if I stick to the core values I have instilled throughout my mission statement. These practices are essential standards to ensuring a life that brings about happiness, success, and overall satisfaction, and therefore would contribute to very worthwhile life for me.