Moreau Integration
4 March 2022
A man who worked for the future
	Throughout many of our lives, we attempt to avoid mistakes and play life the safe way. Brian was a man who did the opposite. He actively chose to fail because he wanted to learn as much as he could to overcome those failures. Brian was well-known for his dedication to the grind of working out. Many of you here can attest to seeing the stories he posted online of his late-night work out sessions. Sometimes the fool would even work out when he was sick and coughing up phlegm. This is because he consistently kept his future self in mind. Brian disciplined himself to hit the gym regardless of whether he felt like it or not, sometimes to the point where he would nearly pass out from exhaustion. When I saw him sprawled on the ground, I remember giving him advice I gleaned from Pico Iyer: “the more time I spend away from my work, the better that work will be” (“Why we need to slow down our lives?” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). Brian used this to become more productive in not only his workouts but also his homework by dialing down his rigor to incorporate days or times of rest to allow for his body and mind to recuperate. 
Brian not only fought to reconcile his mind and body, but he also loved to bring others together oftentimes through humor. Alan Simpson’s description of Father Hesburgh sums it well, “He loved to watch people who didn’t agree on anything and get in a room and bridge all that” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O'Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). I remember two of Brian’s closest dormmates Joe Ricotta and Cole Hougo who were often considered the worst roommate pair in Dunne. Brian was great friends with each and often talked to both of them about their issues with the other. He worked and reminded them to improve communication and acted as a mediator for their concerns. By the same token though, he always reminded them that despite his communication between the two, no one but them could finalize the solution. For them to grow together, Brian taught them that communication and an understanding of the problem was key. Father Michael Himes captures this idea by saying, “No one else can answer the question for you. They may be able to help you frame the question. In framing the question, one begins the process of answering it" (“Three Key Questions?” by Father Michael Himes- Moreau FYE Week Three). Joe and Cole went on to remedy their issues thanks to Brian’s initial concern and desire to see two enemies become friends. 
This brings us back to the cheeriness we all knew Brian embodied. In fact, Brian’s strive for success was fueled by his ability remain happy at all times. His attitude on life contributed to his success academically, physically, and mentally. The Meruelo Family’s Center for Career Development provides advice on life that Brian took to heart: “If you are in a major you enjoy, you will be more motivated to go to class, get better grades, and overall be happier - all of that leads to better post-graduate outcomes” (“Navigating Your Career Journey?” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development- Moreau FYE Week Four). This goes hand in hand with the fact that his ability to stay motivated in class enabled him to setup portals by which he could reach out to alumni of Notre Dame. The culmination of Notre Dame students and alumni on the Irish Compass website allows people to jumpstart their careers, just like Brian aimed to do (“6 Tips For Making a Career Fresh Start?” by Irish Compass- Moreau FYE Week Five). Now, despite his consistent positive attitude, he wasn’t perfect. No not by any means. Brian is a very sensitive man and although not many saw it, he sometimes struggled to keep his smile turned up even when he least felt like it. The reason he was able to move on is because he got to know himself through struggle. Tasha Eurich offers insight into introspection when he says that “We can spend endless amounts of time in self-reflection but emerge with no more self-insight than when we started” (“The right way to be introspective (yes, there’s a wrong way)?” by Tasha Eurich- Moreau FYE Week Six). Tasha Eurich isn’t discouraging people from self-reflecting at all, but rather not to over-do it. Self-reflection is important to increase one’s self-awareness; however, all of that becomes useless if not acted upon. Brian and his competitive nature always sought to improve and act upon his current state which is why he refused to be bogged down by negative thoughts. 
Many feel that happiness is just not attainable, at least Pope Francis seems to think so. He said, “Many of us, nowadays, seem to believe that a happy future is something impossible to achieve” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone?” by Pope Francis- Moreau FYE Week Seven). Pope Francis explains that many often discount the ability to live a life well-lived. A happy life isn’t a life in which someone’s always happy. No, a happy life is one in which someone constantly searches for ways to improve and become the best version of their selves they can be because through work there is purpose. This is a concept many don’t grasp. Ask anyone here, Brian is the biggest procrastinator we know. He once put off and clutched a research paper for a biology class 45 minutes before it was due so that he could watch a Bills game. However, Brian was able to recognize his problems early and implement solutions to bring him on the right track. He pushed himself to schedule every hour of every day, he consistently works out 5 times a week, he became strict with his life so that life could become easier for him.  
	Brian lived for the future by working in the present so that he could improve on his past. His mindset is what propelled him into getting out of life what he wanted. He put in what he wanted to get out. This is why I hope we all look to Brian and thank him for his impact on us and all the memories we made with him.