A. Thigpen - Moreau FYE
16 April 2022
I Want to Be Everyone’s Cheerleader 
My mission is to prioritize adventure, family, and meaningful actions in my life. I want to be surrounded by those who I love. I want to travel the world with my family. I want to raise my kids not far from the beach so that they can share in my love for the ocean. I want to be the mom who always has the best snacks at playdates. I want to be a person who others come to for support or advice. I want to receive this support back through affirmations in all of my relationships. I want to be the annoying woman screaming on the phone with her friends. I want to be happy in my career (I’ll have the best snacks there too). I want to use my knowledge and career to give back to my community. I want to make service a part of my lifestyle. I want to make a difference. Throughout this year’s Moreau classes, I have learned about and reflected on many things that will hopefully help me to achieve this mission.
In week 1 of Moreau, we learned about practicing self-reflection. In an article about the speed of life, Iyer writes, “We’re never caught up with our lives…,” ("Why we need to slow down our lives" by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week 1). This means that we never take the time to slow down and absorb what is really going on in our lives and how we feel about it. From this, I have realized how often I do this. I am striving to push myself to take the time to reflect a little on each day and in doing so, at least so far, have found it makes me feel more grateful.
In week 2 of Moreau, we saw the inspiration of a life well-lived in Father Hesburgh. In a documentary about his life, Hesburgh says “...that peace is important, that human life is important, that we have to learn to talk to each other,” ("Hesburgh" 1:10:02 - Moreau FYE Week 2). He recognizes that talking to each other is the most important aspect of creating good relationships. I took this to heart, recognizing that I need to really talk to those around me so that our relationships can be real and grow.
In week 3 of Moreau, we looked at the questions of a life well-lived. With one of those being death, Ruby Graham writes that “...focusing only on the ‘bright and shiny’ is superficial and inauthentic,” ("Meet the nun who wants you to remember that you will die" by Ruth Graham - Moreau FYE Week 3). This was a good way of explaining that life is not made by only the good moments. The bad moments shape who we are as people and because of that being appreciative of them is important in having a satisfactory life.
In week 4 of Moreau, we explored a life well-lived by looking at career paths. The career center writes, “There seems to be a commonly held belief that in our society that a major equals a certain career path,” ("Navigating Your Career Journey" by Mereulo Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week 4). This was refreshing to read. To see that a major does not define what I will be doing for the rest of my life makes me feel a lot more relaxed. I know that I can make a path for myself to move forward in my career. 
In week 5 of Moreau, we discerned how to live a life well-lived by taking to someone important in our lives. When I talked to my mom, she said that I am “...a true cheerleader in that [I] want to cheer others on, lift their spirits, and celebrate their ‘wins’,” (Jolee David (my mom) - Moreau FYE Week 5). My discussion with my mom reminded me of who I am inside. She reminded me how much lifting the spirits of others brings me joy. I want to continue to strive to do this and have made it part of my mission for a life well-lived.
In week 6 of Moreau, we saw some obstacles to a life well-lived. In an article warning about the downfalls of looking inside yourself, Eurich says, “Introspection might also lull us into a false sense of certainty that we’ve identified the real issue,” ("The right way to be introspective (yes, there's a wrong way)" by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week 6). This was really interesting to me because I feel like looking inside is always something that is seen as being helpful in life. I never thought about how this could be hurting me. I have realized that I need to look at every situation and not assume I have found the exact cause of every issue.
In week 7 of Moreau, we looked at the relationships that make a life well-lived. As someone who has been involved in the lives of many, Fr. Greg Boyle writes, “We have a chance, sometimes, to create a new jurisdiction, a place of astonishing mutuality, whenever we close both eyes of judgment and open the other eye to pay attention,” ("Tattoos on the Heart" by Fr. Greg Boyle, pg. 136 - Moreau FYE Week 7). I think that Fr. Boyle gives a really unique perspective. By creating environments free of judgment, we have the opportunity to learn so much about the people around us. Creating environments like this is something that I hope to do with my family and others in my life.
In week 9 of Moreau, we learned about how we can respond to suffering. In his description of a relationship with people he was supposed to be helping, Reifenberg says, “It is a reciprocal relationship. One cannot accompany without being accompanied, in the same way someone cannot be a good friend without being open to friendship. This requires a great deal of humility.” ("Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together" by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week 9). This explanation of accompaniment got me thinking. Accompaniment is to be there for someone with whatever you can bring, even if that is not everything that they need. This made me realize that I do not always need to provide a solution to those around me, just being there to support them is enough.
In week 10 of Moreau, we learned how to embrace humanity. In Notre Dame’s statement about inclusion, it says, “We prize the uniqueness of all persons as God’s creatures.” ("The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame" from the du Lac - Moreau FYE Week 10). Describing diversity as uniqueness shines a more positive light on the differences that we all have. Embracing diversity is what makes life interesting. It is what allows us to grow our knowledge and perspectives. In my life going forward, I want to continue to embrace diversity and to learn from those with different experiences than me.
In week 11 of Moreau, we learned how to grow in wisdom. In a podcast about the false roads passion can lead you to, it says, “Millions of Americans are like Eitan's dad. They eagerly follow television personalities and the ups and downs of the latest scandal in Washington” ("Passion Isn't Enough" by Hidden Brain Media - Moreau FYE Week 11). This quote is explaining that many Americans are so pulled into television that they are not participating in politics as they should be because they are pulled into the drama and cannot see the real facts. It made me evaluate my use of the media and realize that the media should not be the center of my life. I need to do my best to avoid being drawn into my drama and use facts in order to have educated opinions.
In week 12 of Moreau, we learned about how we can act with courage. The Congregation of the Holy Cross is an example of courage because “[Their] efforts, which are His, reach out to the afflicted and in a preferential way to the poor and the oppressed. [They] come not just as servants but as their neighbors, to be with them and of them.” ("Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross" by Holy Cross Congregation - Moreau FYE Week 12). In my life, the Holy Cross Congregation sets a great example of how to live for God. I want to serve others and use all that I have to give back to my community so that I may feel fulfilled.