Integration Paper 2 Moreau Integration Paper 2 Encountering the Future. In the past few months, I have come to see many of my realities differently. Things that once made me weak now stand as the source of my strength. Situations that made me feel strong now make me anxious. I thought life was changing, but being in this course, I realized everything is the same, and I am the one who is changing. I view life as a book: a collection of chapters that build and tear down suspense, creating a unique story for the reader. My life just so happens to be a book that encompasses many genres and being at Notre Dame, and in this course, I finally learned how to control the narrative of my story. At Notre Dame, the Moreau First Year Experience focuses on shaping individuals to look at themselves and the world. It aims to make us question the things we believe in, evaluate the realities we accept, and understand the potential we all possess. This past semester has awarded me numerous experiences that add to my story. These experiences have made me question my beliefs, confirm my viewpoints, and become aware of the inevitability of imperfection. These past four weeks especially have taught me to look at everything in black and white before adding color to the picture. One of the lessons I have learned is the importance of knowing your worth. Every day, I encounter some of the most brilliant minds. I sit in a classroom ranging from thirty to eighty students, all of which have such strengths that both impress and intimidate me. Imposter syndrome is not uncommon to me, but being at an institution like Notre Dame, the feeling has only intensified. Elizabeth Cox’s TED talk on overcoming imposter syndrome resonated with me. (“What is imposter syndrome” by Elizabeth Cox-Moreau FYE Week Nine). She highlights the universality of imposter syndrome and how even the most influential people experience it. Although I have encountered imposter syndrome on numerous occasions, I now look to prayer and spiritual practice to remind myself of God’s perfect plan for me. I also plan to surround myself with people who relieve the pressure I put on myself by being supportive and encouraging. Like imposter syndrome, we as humans relate to the encounter of brokenness. The idea of brokenness is often stigmatized. Our society prides itself on perfection and searches for it in every aspect of life. I once did the same. However, when I experience times where I feel broken, I remember the Kintsugi workshop set up by Kristen Helgeson. (“Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop '' by Grotto – Moreau FYE Week Ten). This workshop puts back pieces of broken ceramics with gold. This practice is symbolic for representing the beauty that comes with brokenness. I have learned to heal from brokenness and find beauty in imperfection. I also learned that something broken does not have to stay broken. Our society, for instance, has https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ become cracked in so many ways, and the opportunities offered at Notre Dame are the parts of gold that I believe can help reform the structure of our society. Prejudice, racism, classism- prevalent, potent, and damaging. Based on the numerous incidences of racial injustice that happened throughout the past years, specifically the murder of George Floyd in 2020, it is clear to see just how ingrained racism is in our society and how we as a nation have not been doing much to combat it. Fr Jenkins mentioned in his Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement Address that “a country whose citizens treat one another with scorn does not have a bright future." (“Wesley Theological Seminary 2021 Commencement Address'' by Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C. – Moreau FYE Week Ten). We have been parading in a constant cycle of prejudice and never seem to find a way to evolve out of it. As Christians, we are called to love one another; that is our greatest commandment. We must not only avoid partaking in these prejudices but also must reject them and create a space that is absent of hate. Going forward, I must remain aware that I have privileges that many people do not and that I have a voice that can help bring out someone else’s. I aim to do this by remaining educated in the current issues of our society while also educating others to be self-aware. Within the past semester, I have encountered people from various parts of the world who have brought their own stories and traditions to campus. From my interactions with them and being an international student myself, I appreciate and encourage the diversity that enriches our community with tremendous beauty and history. With such differences comes ignorance, and I have come across many people who still do not appreciate the beauty in individuality. The material for week ten highlights Professor Agustin Fuentes, who spoke of how race and racism are malleable, making it something that deserves our attention. (“Diversity Matters! by Professor Agustin Fuentes – Moreau FYE Week Eleven). Learning from his analysis, to strengthen my bonds with all people, I must stay aware and dismantle the implicit bias I notice in myself and others. The most fundamental lesson I have learned this semester is to hope. I have encountered my share of tribulations, from being away from family to financial difficulties and even physical and academic insecurities. I have faced but also overcome hopelessness, and it links back to the continuous integration of Catholicism at Notre Dame. The image of Christ on the cross stands as a constant reminder to have hope in the Lord and to allow Him to guide my path. His victory over death gives me the courage to hope for victory over my crosses. In the Holy Cross and Christian Education Booklet, Blessed Basil Moreau depicts the fundamentality of hope and how it can drive someone to do great things. (“Holy Cross and Christian Education” Pg. 14-16 by Notre Dame Campus Ministry – Moreau FYE Week Twelve.) Today the Congregation of Holy Cross stands firm because of a man who hoped for Christian formation, inspiring generations of religious people, leading down to Fr. Sorin, who founded our university. Their courage encourages me to keep my mind focused on the possibilities of a better tomorrow and to trust in a God who loves me and his plans for me. My encounters have added to the chapters of my story. I have come to terms with my past, I live my present, and I look towards a future that can help make a change. I want to use my https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d14a0472-9c0e-44ea-bd39-53c67ee1d436 https://campusministry.nd.edu/assets/105621/ experiences to change the trajectory of our society and to become the gold that helps mend the cracks in its pottery. I hope to continue representing and celebrating minorities. I hope to continue advocating for inclusivity by doing my part to educate others and staying educated myself. Blessed Basil Moreau hoped for the same things, and this course has given me the tools to identify what I need to do to center my future around fulfilling those hopes. Bibliography: “What is imposter syndrome” by Elizabeth Cox-Moreau FYE Week Nine “Woman Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop '' by Grotto – Moreau FYE Week Ten “Wesley Theological Seminary 2021 Commencement Address'' by Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C – Moreau FYE Week Ten “Diversity Matters! by Professor Agustin Fuentes – Moreau FYE Week Eleven. “Holy Cross and Christian Education” Pg. 14-16 by Notre Dame Campus Ministry – Moreau FYE Week Twelve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d14a0472-9c0e-44ea-bd39-53c67ee1d436 https://campusministry.nd.edu/assets/105621/