Capstone Integration Capstone Integration Introspection: A Pathway to Accompaniment “If I could offer one piece of advice to carry with you for the rest of your life, it would be to learn from your mistakes. We are all going to get knocked down in life and face some difficult times. That’s life. Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. In order to grow, we must first fail. What is important is how you adapt to these mistakes. Do not let mistakes define you, but let them inspire you to put your foot in the ground and strive for better. Especially as young adults here at the University of Notre Dame, each day provides us with new lessons. This is the first time in which we are living on our own, and this is a time of great development. If you can simply learn from your mistakes, you will find your own form of success. Everyone’s definition of success is different. Some people may believe that success is defined by accolades while others may think it is defined by the impact you have on others. I consider success to be having a positive influence on the people around you. If you can have a small group of people around you that you would do anything for and they would do anything for you, then I think you have been successful in developing meaningful relationships. I do not think that you need everyone to like you, as that is quite impossible. What matters is what those that know you best think about you. If they are proud of the person you have become, then you know you are doing the right thing” (“Writing a Personal Mission Statement” by - Moreau FYE Week 13). Also, it is important that we step back from our lives and take in all of our blessings. After all, “it’s easy to feel as if we’re standing two inches away from a huge canvas that’s noisy and crowded and changing with every microsecond. It’s only by stepping farther back and https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/assignments/49371?module_item_id=144040 standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and hustle of our daily lives, but if we never take the time to reflect, then we will never learn to appreciate what we have. Not only should we be grateful for ourr blessings, but we should use them to assist others. Change Donations does this and “is an international fundraising platform that helps nonprofits and schools grow with the power of spare change. The platform allows users to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to their favorite causes” (“The Domer Dozen Gallery” by the University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week Two). This reflection can also help us to picture our future and the direction in which we are headed. An example of this is memento mori. “Memento mori is: Where am I headed, where do I want to end up?” (“Meet the Nun Who Wants You to Remember You Will Die ” by Becky Clements - Moreau FYE Week Three). These two questions are paired together because they are interconnected. If we have certain goals and aspirations in life, we must do what it takes each day to achieve them. The journey is an integral part of the destination. By focusing on the journey, we open ourselves up to growth. This is a critical time in our lives, as we start to filter down to what we hope our career path will be. However, “the only way to know more about yourself is to test the waters - just get out and experience life!” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). By not giving certain fields or classes a shot, we ar limiting ourselves. We might be extremely talented in a certain area, but we will never know unless we try. This is something that my mother expressed her pride in me for during the discernment activity. She told me that she is very proud of all the different clubs and activities I have tried this first year as well as in high https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://domerdozen.nd.edu/ https://domerdozen.nd.edu/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ school (“Discernment Activity” - Moreau FYE Week Five). I am grateful to hear my mom’s perspective on my willingness to be open to new things. Although the perspective of others can be helpful, we should also reflect on ourselves. “University of Sydney psychologist Anthony M. Grant discovered that people who possess greater insight — which he defines as an intuitive understanding of ourselves — enjoy stronger relationships, a clearer sense of purpose and greater well-being, self-acceptance and happiness” (“The Right Way to be Introspective” by Tasha Eurich - Moreau FYE Week Six). By having a clear understanding of ourselves, we have a strong sense of our strengths and weaknesses. By being open about these in a relationship, we can be accountable and upfront with others. This allows us to let people in to our comfort zone. “Allowing folks into my jurisdiction requires that I dismantle what I have set up to keep them out” (“Tattoos on the Heart” by Fr. Greg Boyle - Moreau FYE Week Seven). If we never let anyone into our comfort zones, we will never be vulnerable or able to truly develop relationships. Relationships do require vulnerability, but they also allow us to grow emotionally.” Therefore, “I hope that when people think about me or reflect on my life, they see someone that was always willing to let others in” (“Integration Three” by - Moreau FYE Week Eight).“ By doing this, I hope to be accompanied. Steve Reifenberg writes that “not only is it important to walk together with somebody, but one must also learn how to be accompanied – to participate in the reciprocity of accompaniment” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together ” by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week Nine). In this way, the people that I am in a relationship with and I will be able to help each other grow. Accompaniment is essential as we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and are meant to take in his creation in harmony. This is evidenced in Notre Dame’s Mission https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/assignments/49400?module_item_id=143866 http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/anthony.grant.php https://www.sbp-journal.com/index.php/sbp/article/view/1219 https://ideas.ted.com/the-right-way-to-be-introspective-yes-theres-a-wrong-way/ https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/files/523808?module_item_id=167937 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/assignments/49339?module_item_id=143930 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/assignments/49339?module_item_id=143930 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/41060/modules/items/143949 Statement: “We prize the uniqueness of all persons as God’s creatures. We welcome all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality, for example, precisely because of Christ’s calling to treat others as we desire to be treated” (“The Spirit of Inlcusion at Notre Dame” in “du lac: A Guide to Student Life” by the University of Notre Dame - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Additionally, the way we interact online or get information online is important. “When we find ourselves discrediting views we disagree with and when we find others around us supporting and encouraging us to do so, we need to take a step back” (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Paul Blaschko - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). We must be willing to listen and not automatically discredit views that differ from our own. If we discredit opposing viewpoints too easily, we prevent ourselves from growing and learning. This can help us to end the cycle of hate that has plauged this country. Dean G. Marcus Cole claims that “one thing that each and every one of us can do is to end the cycle of hate by ending the separation that leads to it. This racial separation and violence will not end until we stop waiting for African-Americans to enter our circles. Each of us needs to get to know people who differ from us. We must all make a conscious decision and effort to expand our circles” (“I am George Floyd. Except, I can Breathe. And I can do Something” by Dean G. Marcus Cole - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). We must be willing to welcome people that look different or come from different backgrounds than us. It is extremely helpful to learn about varying viewpoints so that we can develop complex mindsets. By doing all of these things, we can become exceptional members of the Notre Dame community and follow God’s will. https://dulac.nd.edu/university-mission-and-vision/spirit-of-inclusion/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIVxQcqnLs&t=1s&ab_channel=ThinkND https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/ https://law.nd.edu/news-events/news/dean-g-marcus-cole-i-am-george-floyd-except-i-can-breathe-and-i-can-do-something/