Intergration Eulogy Glass Half Full Thinking We all are gathered to remember and celebrate the well-lived life of Nicholas Rocco Pietrosante. Let's take a moment to reflect on this soul's remarkable life. Nick was born at St. Joe's Hospital in Michigan on cold October night. He was the eldest of 4 siblings (Charlie, Joey, and Katie). His brothers and sister were his world, and we're so proud of what they accomplished. Nick went to St.Regis middle school, then to Brother Rice Highschool, and finally graduated from the University of Notre Dame. All his peers loved him for his goofy and caring personality. By all his classmates, he was remembered for his welcoming nature and how easy he was to get along with. Father Greg Boyle talks about jurisdiction and how social and innate boundaries prevent people from loving unconditionally. ("Tattoos On The Heart" by Father Greg Boyle - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Nick didn't care if you were blue or red, fat or tall he, anyone, the time of day let so many people into his personal bubble. To this day, I think this was his most remarkable trait. He was the ice breaker for any group and could get even the quietest of rooms chatting like drunken parents at a football game. Nick gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and only really despised people on minimal occurrences. Nick and his mom were incredibly close no one knew him quite like her. When talking to his mother, Julie (right there), she had shown how much nick cared about people. (“Conversation with my Mom" by Mom- Moreau FYE Week Five). One of the most pivotal things she mentioned was how his superb social awareness helped him to be kind to so many. Nick knew how painful it was to be left out, so he did everything in his power to prevent people from experiencing this awful feeling. Nicks's utilization of his social skills taught him to understand how powerful words were. Nick was careful before he ever spoke. He truly thought of the implications of his words when he said. Nick did this by openly allowing people into his jurisdiction so they could be loved, whether by talking to a new kid or giving someone the time of day who is unique. On another note, Julie told https://www.amazon.com/Tattoos-Heart-Power-Boundless-Compassion/dp/1439153159 Glass Half Full Thinking me she only cared about two things for nick. That he was happy and above all a good person. Nicks's mother thought these were the most significant indicators of a well-lived life. Now, if anyone knew nick, they know he was a worrier. There wasn't a time in the day he wasn't anxious about some test or injury. Even though this trait can have sometimes have a negative connotation, it was who he was. As nick progressed throughout his education and life, he started to address this dilemma in his life. When Gandhi said "This is going to be a very busy day. I won't be able to meditate for an hour." His friends were taken aback at this rare break from his discipline. "I'll have to meditate for two," he spelled out.( "Text: "Why we need to slow down our lives" (Pico Iyer, TED)" by Gandhi - Moreau FYE Week One). Gandhi shows the importance of taking a step back when you have a lot on your table because a clouded mind is unproductive. When nick started to implement this in his life, it was revolutionary for him. This newly founded ideology shifted caused him to rethink everything he thought he knew about life. Sister Altheia talks about the word "memento mori" which in Latin means remember your death. ("Rember the Nun Who Wants You To Rember You Will Die" by Sister Altheia - Moreau FYE Week Three). People think if they avoid the subject of death and only focus on the warm and fuzzy feelings of life wed will only know happiness. Many forget the reason life is so sacred is that it's finite. Knowing we won't live forever adds value to every single day. JD Kim states, “ The purpose of my life is not simply about overcoming suffering. Suffering is a part of our lives. It is always there, but it is how you respond to suffering from God. This is very important because you don’t become come close with God during your best days you become close duringyour darkest hours. These are the times God shows leads you down the right and gives you purpose or vocation. Nick had battled with bad anxiety his whole life but once he implenting https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40291/modules/items/147209 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/40291/modules/items/147209 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html Glass Half Full Thinking remembering death it changed everything. In finding God it allowed Nick to find his true self and become his best version of himself to the word.(“5 Minutes” by Grotto - Moreau FYE Week Six). Nick started to treat every day we lived on this earth as a blessing and started acting like it. He stopped worrying about all the little things and instead enjoyed life for what it truly is. After nick had alleviated a lot of his old anxiety, it enabled him to capitalize on his God-given gifts. This allowed Nick to find his true calling in life truly. Figuring out what you are VIPs allows you to find out your true vocation on this earth. Knowing your skills and true passions gives you a better indication of what your career should be. ("Text: "Navigating Your Career Journey" (Meruelo Family Center for Career Development by ND Career Site - Moreau FYE Week Four). Nick found out he was great with compassion and hearing people, so he became a physiatrist. He helped thousands of patients and made the community a better place. Nick dealt with a lot in his life but persevered and defeated the obstacles that turned him into a great man. Just like his mother said, at the end of the day, nick truly wanted to be remembered for being a good person. Which I think we can all say confidently he did. Reflection On Summary Nick had a very meaningful life but lets take a deeper look in defining his life. These are the most important reasons it was well lived. I think number one we can talk about is nick’s care for dignity. Father Hesburgh said “All that we cherish at the face of the great dream of America demands a dedication to the dignity of man, the god-given dignity to human beings” Hesburgh thought no matter who you were that you deserved to be treated with human decedncy “Hesburgh Movie” by Father Hesburgh - Moreau FYE Week Two). Nick his whole life was a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTczn5RUgnk https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8403168/ Glass Half Full Thinking caring person and treated everyone wih respect. No matter who you were he treated you with a certain level of respect. If more people had these qualities than it would be a world full of love and not hate with judgement. I think this trait is more important than any amount of fame or wealth you could attain.