Moreau Integration Moreau Integration 3 Catherine Wagner Going All In was a man unlike many in this world. He dedicated his life to his family, friends, and those around him. Although he had money, Ryan by no means led a life of ease and comfort. While he enjoyed comfort in the form of family and friends, he relentlessly pursued personal growth and challenges in the world. Today we honor the death of that man, and remember a life well lived. During his upbringing, Ryan found many of the close friends that he is still with to this day. Those relationships were the foundation of both his personal and professional successes. His sister Emily still remembers conversations that they enjoyed discussing his future with him. She said that he valued people, that he was at his very best when he was solving problems (“Week Five Discernment Conversation Activity” - Moreau FYE Week Five). Ryan believed that his relationships were the most important things in his life. He lived this out by always being a loyal friend and a loving family member. During his childhood, his friends recall a shift in his behavior as he grew older. As a small child, he would frequently mess with other kids, but as he grew older, everyone could see that he valued interactions with everyone and anyone. Ryan believed that “each and every everyone's existence is deeply tied to that of others” (“Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). He lived out this value throughout his life by creating meaningful relationships within the context of work, with friends of his children’s parents, and also with those younger than him. He strove to always champion the rights of the downtrodden and those who were disadvantaged. For this reason, he often volunteered at the local food pantry. As he moved on to college, Ryan learned what it meant to live a meaningful life at the University of Notre Dame. His Catholic faith and values were strengthened by both continued https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript mass at the university and the value based education that the university promoted. Ryan was inspired by Notre Dame legends like Father Hesburg. The emphasis that Father Hesburg placed on courage in all aspects of life was reflected in how he acted afterwards (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). Ryan constantly displayed courage by choosing paths that were difficult, but right. He stood up for injustice where he saw it and applied his wealth to make meaningful changes. It was at college also that Ryan learned to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. He found peace at his childhood camp on Otisco Lake (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). For him and his family, it was a sanctuary of peace where all the problems of the outside world drifted away. Those summer days with cousins and siblings returned Ryan to that joy of childhood that sparkles in the eyes of so few. By keeping this place close to his heart, Ryan retained that spark throughout his old age. Ryan also learned how to grow while at college. He learned the art of reviewing his past correctly and accepting things for what they are, not what he wants them to be. By looking at his past for “what” happened and not looking too deeply at why, Ryan was able to maintain a sense of peace about past regrets and not spiral into that introspective cycle (“The Right Way to be Introspective” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). In this way, Ryan was able to learn from his past mistakes while not dwelling in regret. On his deathbed, he claimed that he had no regrets because all his mistakes made him who he was. As a professional, few can say that they matched Ryan’s passion for his work and helping others through business. His talents in venture capital included the technical analysis of companies as well as the soft skills to manage relationships with clients. He got a deep sense of joy from the work, and this was reflected in his performance (“Three Key Questions” by Father Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). As a venture capitalist, Ryan was able to help those with brilliant ideas receive financing and market their products to the world. He truly made the world a better place by choosing ethical companies with solutions for modern problems. His success in the field can largely be accredited to his trying many different things in his life https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40253/files/467215?module_item_id=142974 (“Navigating Your Career Journey by Moreau First Year Experience Course - Moreau FYE Week Four). During his twenties, he founded many different companies with varying degrees of success. However, his failures never held him back, they only promoted him to do better in the future. Ryan always was grateful for failing in business because it's the only thing that actually made him learn in the field. He applied these lessons to future investments and brought the best out of younger entrepreneurs by mentoring them and teaching them the tricks of the trade. Ryan always had a zest for creation, and he fulfilled his dream of owning his company, all while helping others achieve their dreams. Ryan’s life truly was well lived. He went all in on life and squeezed it for all it had to offer him. By placing people as his primary focus, Ryan enjoyed the love of all those around him, because he gave them all the love he had to offer them. Ryan’s family, friends, and coworkers trusted Ryan for his advice and loyalty over the years. On a personal level, he lived to get better each and every day. Those one percent improvements compounded to make him an unstoppable force for good in this world. As a professional, he helped those that were less fortunate than him and accomplished the big goals that he laid out for himself. To the passing of a truly good man, we honor you . https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/