Integration .pdf March 3, 2022 Moreau Eulogy Andrea had to learn that life was not always going to be as easy as it had once been. She knew that she could always get the outcome she wanted if she put in the work, and it led her to believe that it would always work this way. Getting into her dream university, she learned that the real world was much harder than high school. Being away from home was something she always wanted, but within a month it presented itself as one of the hardest challenges of “adulthood”. But getting through life with no hardships or negative events is not real- it’s not life. Andrea believed that the beauty of life was in getting to see how good the good moments are when we have them, but it can only be achieved with the difficult times that one could see. It is important to understand that everything in your life that you tie no meaning to can all be taken away from you in an instant- and you can be left with nothing. It is then that you appreciate what you have with a deeper meaning and you start to see the beauty in things that you never thought you could see. Academics had always been her strongest sense of achievement, and having to let that ideal go once she got to Notre Dame was hard. She found out that there is more to a person than just being smart and good at school, which is something that scared her when thinking about her future. Always showing so much interest in the body and health, Andrea knew she wanted to go into neuroscience. Not only was this something that she had a great interest in but it definitely was a career that would benefit the world. As Hime’s three questions about the future resigned in the process of figuring out if this was the right path for her, he led her to not only ask herself how it would impact others but also herself in the long run. A successful career, as Hime mentioned, is not one that meets others’ expectations of you, but that you meet your own. There needs to be a good amount of self-reflection- but not too much- and it has to be the right one. As Tasha Eurich explains: “Asking what could keep us open to discovering new information about ourselves, even if that information is negative or in conflict with our existing beliefs. Asking why might have the opposite effect” (Eurich). In this way, we can avoid negative self-talk that will only lead us to spiral more into our fears and insecurities. Humility, kindness, and selflessness were her greatest convictions- she believed they made the foundation for any moral human being. The things that you do in your life do not matter, no matter how great you think they are if one’s character is not good, to begin with. Inspired by the life of Father Hesburgh, “I believed education had to have morals, but there had to be a way to balance faith and academics” (Hesburgh Film). Academics was something that she had always resigned with but she soon learned that life is not much with them if you do not use them in the right way- and that starts with the person you are. Also, being content with what you have and appreciating the little things rather than overseeing them also made the biggest difference in her life. How many people would not want the same opportunities that she got to have? Complaining and being negative takes away from appreciating the fact that even having a roof over our heads is enough to be grateful. Everyone with whom Andrea formed relationships meant so much to her- more than they would know. Friends and family took a certain role in her life that filled it with comfort, joy, and love. It taught an important statement of life: to never take anything or anybody for granted. Everyone who comes into your life is there for a reason, either for a lesson or a blessing. You can always learn something about somebody else and yourself by the interactions that form our daily life. She came into contact with so many unique and inspiring people that it was hard not to learn anything from anyone at all times. Daloz Parks mentioned, “Mentors are like that: posing questions that go straight to the heart and the heart of the matter” (Parks). While being grateful for those who she loved and who loved her, Andrea found a special form of relationship with those who had her best interest at heart and helped to guide her. Individuals who would be inspiring in even the little things, like when it came down to kindness and compassion for others, were something she could greatly appreciate and learn from for herself. Lastly, no matter how hard times got, she never gave up because she knew God was by her side. Her relationship with God was one that she valued greatly and knew was the most important thing in her life. She learned that sometimes there was not much that she could do but rather let go and let God. Being a perfectionist in nature, Andrea had to let her faith and trust in God overcome any worries and anxieties that seemed to get in the way. Knowing that God has everything written out and that it was okay to find peace in that, gave her much comfort. One can only do so much as in being a good person and never giving up for the things one wants but the rest can be left to God. One can only do so much as a human being, but using our talents and opportunities to make this world a better place is one that Andrea sought to deeply hold close to heart. Andrea always emphasized how short this life is, and that many people are just trying to stay alive but not truly live. With kindness, God, and resilience, one can live a beautiful and meaningful life that they can appreciate at the end of the day rather than forcefully seek. Works CIted Barca, Jerry, director. Hesburgh. notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Auth/Login.aspx. Himes, Michael. Three Key Questions . Parks, Sharon. Big Questions Worthy Dreams . Jossey Bass. PhD, Tasha Eurich. “The Right Way to Be Introspective (Yes, There's a Wrong Way).” Ideas.ted.com, 2 June 2017, ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/.