Integration 2 Brian Reaume Integration Two 3 December 2021 The Realization of Encounters and Responses There are many questions to ask when it comes to new encounters and the way that me or someone around me may respond. The four questions that are included for me to answer in this integration assignment have helped guide me to answering the overall question of “What have I encountered and how will I respond?”. In this second integration assignment I have assigned one question to each week's QQC that I have completed throughout this second half of the semester. Throughout this second half of the semester I have been able to reflect and grow a friend, sister and daughter but also as a person as a whole. Throughout this semester as a whole I have encountered so much that have helped me to grow into the person that I am today. In these four months I can confidently say that I am a different person, for the better, than I was when I walked into Notre Dame as a freshman. I have encountered many challenges throughout my studies in classes. I have learned how to respond to these challenges by taking a deep breath and remembering to take each assignment one at a time and to the best of my ability. Although I have tackled so much throughout my studies here at Notre Dame the biggest challenge that I encountered was saying goodbye to my family. This goodbye was well anticipated making it even harder than I thought it would be. When I actually encountered the goodbye, yes it was just as difficult as I thought it would be but the way I responded to the aftermath was better than I ever imagined. I went on to distract myself by going out and meeting new people, socializing, engaging in my classes and signing up for clubs and activities around campus. This first step that I took in the beginning of the semester set me up to approach my encounters differently and allowed me to view how I respond to each encounterment I have with flying colors and I am so happy that I can say that. In week nine’s QQC the quote that stood out to me the most was, “The common thread in all of these examples is that these individuals believe they must be perfect and that they must live up to the expectations of others (and themselves)” (“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan - Moreau FYE Week 9). There were lots of examples throughout the article that showed the burdens that people put on themselves to live up to the expectations set up by society. I have connected this quote to answer the question of “What was previously “black and white” that is now more ambiguous, nuanced, or complicated?” I believe that this quote and question go hand and hand when you read them as when we were little kids everything was black and white. As we grew up we could do whatever we really wanted (of course if it was ok with our parents) but what really mattered was we did not care what people thought. Now, it is very much more colorful as everyone tries to live up to the expectations of society and sometimes allow themselves to break down while trying to do so. I have used this quote as a learning experience for me to take into account when I encounter situations just like what is shown here. I now feel as if I react to situations where I feel society's expectations are being pressured on me. Ever since I got to college I believe that I have been able to hold my own expectations and follow what I want to follow without the influence of others or society. I am so grateful that I have come to this realization of a response. In week ten’s QQC the quote that stood out to me the most was “Love is the greatest commandment — and hatred is at the heart of the greatest sins. Hatred is the great destroyer — the great divider. Hatred is more dangerous to us than any other threat, because it attacks the https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau immune system of our society — our ability to see danger, come together and take action” (“Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement” Message from Fr. John Jenkins - Moreau FYE Week 10) . This quote is very important for all to hear as it gives lessons that can be valuable to all, young and old. The question that I connected to this quote was: “What was once ambiguous or vague that now holds greater clarity?”. Just as I mentioned before, when we were younger life was much simpler. Reading this quote at a young age, while still valuable to those who are younger, may be complicated and a little vague to them as they may not know the full meaning of what it is exactly trying to convey. Now older and wiser I am able to have a greater clarity of this quote. This example is very reflective to many life situations that we all encounter on a daily basis. We now look at life with a new set of eyes than we did when we were younger. This connected back to the encounters and reactions as now with more experience I have encountered more and this gives me an insight on how to react in a more mature way. In week eleven’s QQC the quote that stood out to me the most was, “So exposure and access to different types of people, to different life experiences, to different ways of seeing the world offers insight and allows us to be in a position to think about change” (“Diversity Matters” by Professor Agistim Fuentes - Moreau FYE Week 11). This quote places an emphasis on diversity and how important it is to our world. We need diversity in our everyday lives in order to be our own people. If everyone was the same the world would be so different and nothing special. Each and every person has something special to offer to the world. The question that I connected to this quote is “What has grown or decreased in importance as a result of my Notre Dame journey thus far?” I can confidently say that the diversity that I have been immersed in here at Notre Dame has definitely increased in importance to me as a result of my Notre Dame journey. While there was some diversity at my high school there was not nearly the same amount https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d14a0472-9c0e-44ea-bd39-53c67ee1d436 as there is here at Notre Dame. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go here and experience the diversity that Notre Dame has. I am no longer in the “bubble” that I grew up in and I am able to grow as a person through my interactions with others. I have had a wide variety of encounters with many people here at Notre Dame and each encounter has helped shape how I respond on an everyday basis. In week twelve’s QQC the quote that stood out to me the most was, “Striving for completeness means spending one’s life as a citizen of this world imitating the person of Christ as the gateway to citizenship in heaven” (“Holy Cross and Christian Education” by Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week 12). This quote shows how Jesus is an inspiration that many people of the Catholic faith follow and look up to. People use Jesus as a guide to live out their daily lives to the best of their ability and to the fullest they can. The question that I have connected to this quote is “What are some of the most important questions I've asked this semester?” I have been able to connect this question with this quote in the way that I have asked myself the question as to whether or not I am living my life to the fullest and trying my best at everything I come in contact with. Whether it is school work or friendships I always want to make sure I am carrying it out to the fullest. I have always known that if I encounter something that may be a challenge Jesus and my faith will always be there for me but it has become more evident to me throughout my time here at Notre Dame as these values have been instilled in me and my learning. All four of these QQC’s have helped me to realize who the person I have become is and have also helped me to reflect in ways that I never have thought about. I am so grateful that Notre Dame offers Moreau as it has really helped me transition into college and make sure I take https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28311/files/188847?module_item_id=105685 time to reflect on what is happening and has happened in my life. I really enjoyed taking this class this semester and I can not wait to see what next semester has in store for me.