Integration One

Over the past few weeks, Moreau has taught me more about myself and how to become the best version of myself during my time at Notre Dame.  From the stems of the independent thinking lessons all the way to finding my truth, I have a good sense of the direction I am headed spiritually and socially. Critical and Independent thinking is one of the very first topics we covered in Moreau.  It is a virtue that will help me shape not only my time here at Notre Dame but for my entire life.  In many of my responses, I chose to connect our lesson to one of the things that is most important to me, baseball. Being a baseball player, many coaches try to teach their way as a single route to becoming a better athlete.  Over time I have encountered coaches that like to let me explore and find my own success. This is where Independent thinking steps in. Not only will I have to learn what works for me, but continue to hold true to myself and what makes me a better player.  I can also take these values into my academic habits which will contribute to my success long term. Independent thinking is what will make me stand out among my classmates.  If every single student at Notre Dame was admitted under the exact criteria, I believe there would be a lack of culture.  Being critical of my own work, thoughts, and beliefs will help push me to become a better version of myself each and every day.  Not only will professors be critical of my classwork, but I will be too.  I strive to look at myself in the mirror at the end of every day and say I have made all the right efforts to prepare myself for the next day.  
Next, we looked at the struggles in life, school, and for me baseball.  I have a better sense now of how to deal with and grow from anything I fail at or consider “hard”.  As we transitioned, one of the most valuable thighs that has helped not only me, but my classmates as well is vulnerability. In my eyes, vulnerability and discomfort go hand in hand.  Learning that it’s ok to be uncomfortable is what will make me successful.  I do not want or anticipate these next few years to be a comfortable/smooth ride.  I want to face challenges and learn how to overcome them.  Feeling like I belong here at Notre Dame has been something that I have struggled with in the past.  I did not get in for my good grades, impressive resume, I felt I only got in because of baseball.  As I spent my first couple months here, I feel the community that I was meant to be a part of.  At the end of the day, everyone here is wanting to prove something to themselves and make a difference in the world. Being able to take care of my academic success as well as an athletic career will help prove to myself that I belong at this prestigious university.
Everything in the first two weeks of Moreau revolved around one word in my eyes, “growth”.  Growth, whether spiritually, socially, athletically, or academically is something that is never-ending.  Even if the execution is not present, I know that as long as I put the effort and intent into everything I do I will achieve my goals. We grow every day, more than we think.  Ranging from a newborn baby to an 80-year-old man, humans grow and evolve as we always have.  How we go about this is a big key to our success and happiness in our lives.  One of the biggest beliefs in shaping my personality is being authentic with myself and others. Being authentic, in my opinion, takes 0 effort.  If a person has a core set of beliefs and values, they should do whatever they feel is best.  That to me is being authentic, not changing your personality for anyone.
Now, after watching and analyzing a TED Talk by David Brooks, I have a clearer sense of which “Adam” I see myself as currently, and which one I would rather be. In the TED Talk, David Brooks introduces the resume and the eulogy virtues.  Resume virtues are used for your resume, whereas eulogy virtues go more in-depth.  Eulogy resumes are typically used in the marketplace, this offers a characteristic guide for your personality and tendencies.  Brooks references the book “The Lonely Man of Faith” in 1965, this novel talks about the two sides of nature, Adam I and Adam II.  Adam I is ambitious and seen as an external side of nature.  His goal is to build and create industries.  Whereas Adam II is the more reserved type of nature, he wants to live internally sound.  In a way that abides by God's creations and practices.  Adam I is more materialistic, savoring accomplishments and rewarding acts.  Whereas Adam II is more focused on consistency.  Adam I is interested in how things operate, Adam II asks the more challenging question “why are we here”.  Both Adam’s are capable of leading a successful life.  Who will be more successful? Who will be happier?  These to me are two separate topics.  Success may lead to gratification, but not concrete happiness.  Being internally sound, in my eyes, is what creates happiness.
One of the last, and most valuable things I took away from these first couple of months was my understanding of my own faith and how it ties into the people and community I surround and embrace. Faith gives us all something to believe in, to hold true and close to ourselves.  Faith, in my life, serves as a guide and principle in how I live my life.  Everyone screws up, it's human, but in any faith, there is a belief in doing the “right” thing.  This is different for each faith and specific for each being.  After hearing the famous Fr. Pete speak, giving examples of tying his shoes, and relating back to the grand scheme of faith, I have a clear sense of what I believe in for myself when it comes to faith.  In the QQC we used the term “life-giving relationships”, which to me resembles the relationships that will help me grow as a person.  Life-giving relationships are rare in my opinion.  I have always tried to surround myself with people with who I can learn, and grow as a person.  Whether it's family, friends, girlfriend I feel I have done a good job so far at keeping my circle “tight”.  I learn from these people all the time, and although some relationships may have their speed bumps, I know that the people surrounded by me want to see me reach my maximum potential in my life, as I do for them.  It's like one big support system that keeps on growing!  In conclusion, I feel I have learned more about myself in this class than at any other point in my life, it is exciting to see the direction I am headed as I am optimistic about my future here at Notre Dame.  I look forward to continuing this journey with the people I hold close to me.