Microsoft Word - Capstone Integration.docx Professor Taylor April 2022 A Positive Impact a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Notre Dame has been one heck of an experience for me throughout this year. I've learned, grown, and matured more than I ever had imagined. Throughout this fantastic experience, I've felt the real effects of logotherapy, which Frankl tells us "In a Man's Search for Meaning" is that finding purpose is the single driving force in a man's life. This has allowed me to construct a semi-accurate mission statement details, as I still don't entirely know the exact information about my mission because only time can tell that. With this said, I've learned that "It's only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) means, and to take in the larger picture." ("Why we need to slow down our lives" by Pico Iyer, Moreau FYE Week 1). Every day, I have been working harder to impact lives positively. I've done this through emphasizing a new term to me, growing in courage to act, which has shown me theirs's never a wrong time to do the right thing. Father Hesburgh has helped put a moral image into my head of what this looks like through all of his courageous act such as "Father Hesburgh said the federal government lacks committed and aggression in carrying out the civil rights movement." (Hesburgh Video by Jerry Marca and Christine O'Malley, Moreau FYE Week 2). Another example of Father Hesburgh displaying part of the mission I want to embark on is "When his stance for social justice caused President Richard Nixon to demand his resignation from the Commission, Father Hesburgh continued his efforts by founding the Center for Civil Rights at Notre Dame Law School." ("Dean G. Marcus Cole. 'I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something" by Marcus Cole, Moreau FYE Week 12.) These examples have shown me some ways to act upon my goal and not just know it. I now have examples to follow and see if I see something morally wrong, to do something about it. Pertaining to growing, Notre Dame's resources have allowed me to blossom into something so much greater than before. Relating this to my career, career services have informed me that "Studying what you love is a core value of the CCD's - it is not something to which we merely pay lip service. There is no "best major" out there - but there is a "best major for you" ("Navigating Your Career Journey by Merulo Family Center for Career Development, Moreau FYE Week 4). This has inspired me to work harder in the classroom during my journey at Notre Dame through having the self-realization that I am passionate about my major. By enjoying classes, I find myself being more successful in the classroom, measured by achieving better grades. This will allow me to dive into a career in the near future that truly interests me. I've also been striving to grow in wisdom through diving into every opportunity that interests me with open arms. In Week 11, a quote directly transpired to this, stating, "The thing is that what they're doing is not participating themselves in any active way. They're just following the news" ("How to Avoid an Echo Chamber" by Dr. Paul Blaschko, Moreau FYE Week 11). This goes back to my theme that being aware isn't the same as acting. Quotes like these have taught me that you need to act upon things to make a difference. In the future, I will learn this insight to help me stand up and work, rather than being in silence because this accomplishes very little. Whether a boss is going rogue or a friend needs help, I will strive to act in the best fashion possible. Building relationships and memories are other primary tasks of my life. A considerable emphasis of Moreau was to embrace humanity to the fullest: the people, the positives, and the negatives. These aspects make relationships and memories that will last a lifetime because you make some of your closest friends and dearest memories in the toughest of times. A quote that captures the need for the unity of humanity from Pope Francis is, "None of us are an island…and we can only build the future by standing together" ("Why only the future worth building includes everyone" by Pope Francis, Moreau FYE Week 7). This quote goes even deeper than my mission statement, showing me that I will need to work with others to progress humanity in the future. It shows that I will have to accept relationships in the future, which my mission statement shows. "We need to walk together and learn together, and maybe, together, envision and create something better" ("Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together" by Steve Reifenberg, Moreau FYE Week 9). Two people from two entirely different backgrounds are informing us that humanity needs to bond together and make close relationships which is why this was so emphasized in my missions statement. This will be utilized in the next three years at Notre Dame through socialization and cooperation. Another aspect of relationships is my relationship with my faith. In growing closer to God, embracing humanity comes along with it. "Christians have found their life together enriched by the different qualities of their many members, and they have sought to increase this richness by welcoming others who bring additional gifts, talents, and backgrounds to the community" ("The Spirit of inclusion at Notre Dame" by Notre Dame, Moreau FYE Week 10). In this quote, it directly connects my mission statement to my journey at Notre Dame. While I'm at Notre dame these next three years, I will take advantage of being at the #1 Catholic School in the world and continue growing closer to God. There is no doubt that questions and obstacles come up in life. I've learned how to deal with adversity and will continue dealing with this feeling of uncertainty. I broke my collarbone four times in high school and bounced back even harder every time. "Suffering and death are facts of life; focusing only on the "bright and shiny" is superficial and inauthentic" ("Meet the nun who wants you to remember that will you die" by Ruth Graham, Moreau FYE Week 3). This shows that eventually, you will have an inevitable obstacle in life that you have to face. Instead of running from it, embrace it and live to the fullest. I've had lots of trouble discerning this and over the next three years, I plan to set myself up for future success in addition to living in the moment and enjoying the best four years ever at this beautiful university. "After so many years of researching the subject of insight, I've come to believe that the qualities most critical for success in today's world — including emotional intelligence, empathy, influence, persuasion, communication, and collaboration — all stem from self-awareness" ("The Right Way to be Introspective" by Tasha Eurich, Moreau FYE Week 6). Although I measure a lot of my success with grades, Notre dame has shown me success is more than just academic success, which was an obstacle at first. I overcame this and have become a better person since. I now plan to use emotional intelligence in helping other people deal with obstacles in the future. After so many years of researching the subject of insight, I've believed that the qualities most critical for success in today's world — including emotional intelligence, empathy, influence, persuasion, communication, and collaboration — all stem from self-awareness." In Week 5, we performed a discernment activity. I had to ask my mom so honest questions that she had great insight into it. Hearing my mom telling me things I've done wrong and need to get better at was very upsetting at first, but it proved beneficial. Everyone has obstacles, and it's part of our journey to overcome them. My journey at Notre dame has been a significant success, and I'm optimistic it will help me carry out my mission in the future. The ups and the downs here have it a rollercoaster of a ride that I wouldn't trade for anything. I look forward to building new relationships, capturing more memories, growing in wisdom and courage, and living life to the fullest in my next years here. My journey has just begun, and I'm excited to see where it takes me.