Microsoft Word - Week 14 - Capstone Integration Three.docx Moreau Week 14 Making the Most of my Time Here I think the first, and biggest step, to living a life well-lived is meditating or contemplating on how you want your life to change. Our earlier activity with Irish Compass really put me on track to discern my livelihood. In my interview, I was told that you do not have to have everything figured out right when you start your career (Irish Compass – Moreau FYE Week Five). Reevaluating my mission statement is also a huge step in my pursuit of a live well-lived. In my mission statement I include the following: “To fulfill my mission and uphold my values, I must succeed as an individual” (Personal Mission Statement – Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). I think this statement needs some adjusting. As a selfless person, I do not think I need to focus so much on my success as an individual. Instead, my success will be based on the impact I have on others. In the next three years, I also hope to pursue a life well-lived by identifying and using my strengths. In “Three Key Questions,” Father Michael Himes asks, “Is this vocation/this role/this profession/this way of life you are considering something you are good at?” (“Three Key Questions” by Father Michael Himes – Moreau FYE Week Three). I like to think that my strengths are my personable personality, my hard work ethic, and my compassion. A great example of a man utilizing his strengths is Father Hesburgh. In the film “Hesburgh,” Father Hesburgh is portrayed as a great compromiser who is able to mitigate Vietnam War protests but also stand with his students (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley – Moreau FYE Week Two). An evaluation of my strengths was recorded by my participation in the Career Development Reflection. Upon this reflection, the results yielded that my strengths would fit well with a career in business consulting (“Career Development Reflection” – Moreau FYE Week Four). This led me to attend workshops for firms that have consulting sectors like Deloitte and KPMG. I recognize that my career discernment is an ongoing process. One of my goals as a student at Notre Dame is to help others. In my Writing and Rhetoric class earlier this semester, I was faced with a Community Proposal prompt. In my proposal, I proposed that Notre Dame have a tutoring program in conjunction with South Bend highschoolers for the ACT and SAT. In du lac, it states that “the University of Notre Dame strives for a spirit of inclusion among the members of this community for distinct reasons articulated in our Christian tradition” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” – Moreau FYE Week Ten). Going forward this summer, I want to gather all the necessary tools to start this tutoring program. This will bolster a sense of inclusion between the Notre Dame and South Bend community. I also intend on doing future service work through Notre Dame to help the poor. In the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, it shows that “our efforts, which are His [Jesus], reach out to the afflicted and in a preferential way to the poor and the oppressed” (“Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross” by the Congregation of Holy Cross – Moreau FYE Week Twelve). My dorm, O’Neill Family Hall, has plenty of service opportunities with the South Bend Center for the Homeless. I hope to take full advantage. Though I hope to pursue a life well-lived, I know it will not always be easy. In his essay, Steve Reifenberg writes, “I think I let go of the idea that an excellent teacher stands up in front of the class as the expert with all the answers” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg – Moreau FYE Week Nine). At Notre Dame, I often fall into the trap of imposter syndrome. I feel as though I do not deserve to be at such a prestigious university. Some measures I take to combat this outlook is remembering what I have accomplished and being grateful for those who have helped me along the way. In my own eulogy, I write “he was a role model for so many people in his life. He truly was a renaissance man as well” (Integration Three by – Moreau FYE Week Eight). Reflecting on past achievements is just as important on setting future goals. Another thing I struggle with is taking time out of my day to pray or simply reflect. I often feel as though life has to always be going 100 mph so that I can outcompete others. In a Ted Talk, Pico Iver explains, “The need for an empty space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones; it’s the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape” (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives” by Pico Iver – Moreau FYE Week One). One method of taking breaks out of your day is practicing mindfulness. On the Mindfulness Menu, I have picked out that I will pray a rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet daily (“Mindfulness Menu” by the McDonald Center and Campus Ministry – Moreau FYE Week Six). The times that I feel the happiest are those when I get enough sleep, take time to rest, and have small moments of time to myself. In the future, I will be more cognizant of that fact. Finally, pursuing a life well-lived means uplifting my voice and making sure other voices are uplifted as well. As Professor Paul Blaschko describes it, an echo chamber is “a social structure from which relevant voices have been actively discredited” (“Big Questions 2, Part 4: How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Paul Blaschko – Moreau FYE Week Eleven). I want to be able to surround myself with a work environment, friends, and community that acknowledges everyone’s perspective. Pope Francis also sheds light on the importance of inclusion: “solidarity… is a free response from the heart of each and every one” (“Why the only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone” by Pope Francis – Moreau FYE Week Seven). I hope that in my future with Notre Dame university I can come to know and foster a unified and compassionate community.