John Graney Integration

Introduction. 
	A life well lived. It’s the goal of every person that has ever lived.  They want to live a life in which they can look back and be happy with the manner in which it played out.  Although this is the goal of every person, there is not true answer as to how to live in this idealistic fashion. In this integrative essay, I am going to give my opinion on what a life well lived entails, and run you through the ways that I have lived my life up to this point, and plan on continuing into the future.  I am going to break this essay down into three main portions that I believe best suit my answer as to the definition of a life well lived.  These sections will include the appreciation of the world around us, the guts to make a change in your life, and opening ourselves up to new possibilities.  

Section I: Appreciation

	In our never ending, continually moving world that we live in today, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking a step back from everything to appreciate the world around us.  This may seem like an easy task— just go to your room and relax.  Although that may have be an adequate solution thirty years ago, it is no longer the case.  The chaos stays with us, it follows us in our backpacks and in our pockets as we move throughout the day.  What is this pocket sized chaos? Technology.  In week one we read an article by Pico Iyer which speaks about the fast paced society that has been created by technology.  He states that “The need for an empty space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones;” (“Why We Need to Slow our Lives Down” by Pico Iyer- Moreau FYE Week 1). When I read this quote I couldn't believe the relation that I was able to have with it. Relaxation has changed so much in recent history that a break for me is going through social media or watching TV.  These are not mental breaks.  These are merely distractions that further cloud our brains.  However, with my laptop being by far the most important tool in my backpack, and my phone being my primary form of communication, getting rid of technology is simply not an option.  So what are some solutions?  It doesn't have to be some complicated ritual or hour long relaxation period, but just putting your phone away and admiring the world around you on your way to class is an easy way to reset your brain, and pull yourself out of the digital world, back into reality.  

	The second point on appreciation that I would like to surface was brought into my vision in week six this semester with a video of a young man who lost his ability to walk as a result of a freak snowboarding accident.  Before the accident Dr. Kim was a young man who dreamed of opening his own sushi restaurant. After the incident; however, that was no longer an option for Kim.  There were two reactions that this could have had on him.  He could have given up, lived off his social security and been upset about the things that he had lost, or he could persevere and strive to better himself and find peace in his situation.  I took a quote from this video that summarizes a point of view that we all should try to incorporate into our lives. “We often focus on the things we do not have” (5 Minutes by Aria Swarr- Moreau  FYE Week 6).  Kim mentioned this point of view to exemplify its unimportance.  What is the point of focusing on what we don't have and looking at the life someone else may have?  We all need to appreciate the lives that have been given to us by the grace of God, and learn be happy with our lives.  Nobody has had it harder than Dr. Kim, and yet he has still found a way to be happy in this world.  So why cant we? 

Section II: Making a Change. 

	Going to Notre Dame, it is impossible not to know the name Hesburgh. But before he was a name on a building, or a face on a wall, Father Hesburgh was a man of true courage who fought for what he believed in.  When watching the Hesburgh documentary, it was amazing to see that a former president of our University could have such immense influence on the entire country. To do the things that Father Hesburgh did may seem like an impossible task, and to many of us it isn't something we would ever dream of doing, and that is okay.  However, every single one of us can learn from the courage that he exuded and apply it to our every day lives.  A testament to his courage was placed in a quote that I would like to bring into this integrative essay and it states, “If it’s (government) is doing things that invades peoples’ rights or won’t advance human rights, then the civil rights commission ought to speak out and say something.” (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley- Moreau FYE Week 2).  To have had the strength to speak out against the government in an era where statements such as this were not said lightly was incredibly brave.  Now we all need to stand up for the things we believe and stand up for what we deserve now and for the remainder of our lives going forward.  

Section III: Opening Up.

	Now that we have gone over the appreciation of  the world around us, and the courage to make a difference, the final and probably most important aspect of a life well lived is the ability to open yourself up to the world.  Opening up to new possibilities is the only way to keep advancing and making ourselves better people. In week four, our focus was on our career and one key peace of advice given in one of the articles was to “ … just get out and experience life! ” (Navigating Your Career Journey by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development- Moreau FYE Week 4).  Although the concept seems basic, its importance is not changed.  This same message was carried even further by Pope Francis himself in week 7 when he said that “They (fears of never achieving happiness) can be overcome if we do not lock our door to the outside world ”  (Why the only Future Worth Building includes Everyone by Pope Francis- Moreau FYE Week 7).  With these two quotations combined as one,  getting out and experiencing people, and experiencing the world as a whole are vital components of a happy and successful life.  As a child I had a hard time with this concept.  I was stubborn and didn’t like to do things that I was not good at immediately.  When talking to my father in Week 5’s discernment activity, he wanted me to know that it is okay to fail, and that only by failing can I continue to learn and strive towards more success in my future.  This is a very important driving factor in who I am as a person and it will continue to fuel me as I head further into life.  

Conclusion:

	Just like this paper, it is an important thing to remember that we all have conclusions.  One day we will all die.  This inevitable fact is humbling to our lives as human beings but it is also the very thing that gives our lives’ meaning.  Without an end in mind, what is the point of a well lived life? In week three we read about a nun who preached the meditation of death regularly.  She said that, “The practice of regular meditation on death is a venerable one.”(Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die by Ruth Graham- Moreau FYE Week 3).  Although this may be extreme for people, it is important to remember that our lives are finite, and that we must live each moment of it to the fullest by appreciating, changing, and opening up in order to obtain the all powerful gift of a life well lived.