Moreno Father Kevin Integration Assignment 2 November 21, 2021 Your Broken Pieces can Mend Others The world that I want to move with my life is the one where assistance comes to those who have the most trouble accessing it. I was made to work for others in a way to become a source of help and inspiration. I have always wanted to be in the neurology field and really want to help others the same way that I received medical help a couple of years ago. Knowing the disadvantages of some groups of people not only around the world but in the US itself, I believe having more accessible means of health services is crucial. I know I was very fortunate and privileged to be in this country where I could have such fast and easy access to medical assistance, unlike so many others. I want to live to make a difference, even if it’s just for one person. The world today faces many challenges that we should all be working together to fix, but it all starts within us. The Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement (Week 10) brings up that the only way to respond to the challenges of the world of today’s society is by examining the temptations in our hearts first, which will take care of the ugly in the world. Based on Catholics beliefs, it is up to the privileged to pick up the pieces of a broken society and help those who cannot help themselves. We are all created in the image and likeness of God- Imago Dei- and need to show that we can help one another without showing any concern over each other’s differences. For this reason, I believe it is truly important to use the gifts that I have, as well as privileges in terms of education, to one day be able to create an impact for someone else. When I encounter hard times, I want to learn how to be persistent and find satisfaction in knowing that I have tried my hardest, rather than in trying to achieve whatever idea of perfection I have. My whole life, I have always been used to academics reflecting all the hard work that I have put in, but I have learned this is not the case ever since coming to college and I know it will be the case for the rest of my life. Having a set suppersition of the future and not being able to meet those expectations is something that I know cannot come from outside influences other than myself. In the article, “Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit”, it is written, “The common thread in all of these examples is that these individuals believe they must be perfect and that they must live up to the expectations of others (and themselves)” (Hogan, Week 9). Instead of trying to live a life of perfection, I want to live a life driven by my goals but knowing that I am trying my best to do what I can- and even if it doesn't go as I wanted to, is okay. I have learned that being proud of the growth that I have to go through is just as valuable, or even more, than the mere outcome. I know that there will be hardships along any journey in life but without those experiences, there is no way of being able to appreciate the good ones. This can be seen in the way that the women used the Kintsugi Workshop to heal: ”... their hearts are breakable, and it’s a very good thing… it allows you to grow and expand and you get to put your heart back together” (Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop, Week 10). By turning the broken pieces of ourselves that we carry as burdens into something that we can like, we are able to instead look at these misfortune events in our life as instances that have turned us into who we are. Everyone carries broken parts of themselves, but it is in how we let these pieces mold us that truly will impact our characters and the way we carry ourselves for the rest of our lives. It has always been important to me to help others; I want to use the hard experiences of my life- the broken pieces- to help others mend their own pieces. Giving part of ourselves to other people is one of the most selfless things somebody can do and health being such an important interest of mine is why I want to pursue a career in this field. This semester, I discovered that I am not always going to be at the top out of my class academically-wise. Coming to Notre Dame with such an instilled mindset of perfection not only challenged me academically but also in my self-confidence when it comes to comparing myself to those who seem “smarter” than me. Yet, I have come to realize that everyone might be struggling and it’s something that I fail to see. As long as I am trying my hardest and asking for help from others, I can see that it is enough. I have also found the importance of having friends- the right friends- that see you for you and love you no matter what. Parker J. Palmer (Week 11) states, “community is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be received. When we treat community as a product that we must manufacture instead of a gift we have been given, it will elude us eternally”. I had never found a group of girls that I connected with so fast as I did with my friend group at McGlinn Hall. I know not to take them for granted since I was so lucky to have found such amazing people so fast. Furthermore, I have also found to have strengthened my faith while in my first semester here at Notre Dame. My faith and trust in God have to be my ultimate lever. I have found immense peace and comfort trusting God and His plan for my life. I know that by having Him be my main focus in life, anything that happens, even if not according to my plan, is the right thing that was supposed to happen. Works Cited Higan, Julia. “Why Letting Go of Expectations Is a Freeing Habit.” Grotto, grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau. Palmer, Parker J. “Thirteen Ways of Looking At Community.” Center for Courage and Renewal, 1998, couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/. “Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement.” President ND, 7 May 2012, president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/. “Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop.” Grotto, grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ .