Integration One



Moreau
10/14/2021
Integration One

A New Start and New Beliefs

Root Belief 1:

I believe that embracing my vulnerability and flaws is key to living a happy and fulfilling
life.

When first entering Moreau, we were told by previous students that being vulnerable was
crucial in receiving the most benefit from the course. As we reach the end of the first quarter, I
couldn't agree more. In week one of Moreau, we discussed the power of vulnerability and the
courage to be vulnerable as integral parts of our journey. As I reflect now, I was able to pinpoint
a root belief that best encompasses this.

I first started believing that embracing my flaws and differences as being important to my
life was when I transitioned into Notre Dame, especially the Gateway community. I had not
created previous friend groups over text before the year, nor had I even spoken to any entering
students. I wanted a fresh start, with a fresh perspective. Similarly, I did not have Notre Dame
family or friends that I could rely on - sufficient to say, I felt lost. And, when an individual feels
lost, they attempt to mold themselves into who they should be instead of who they actually are. I
learned that this methodology is the opposite approach to happiness through experience, but also
through course content and teachings. In Brene Brown’s speech regarding vulnerability, she
stated that “These folks (referencing her speech) simply had the courage to be imperfect...they
believed that what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful.” (“The Power of Vulnerability”
by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One) This quote particularly resonated with me during this
time period because it helped me realize that, while transitionary periods may be difficult, it is
important that I embrace my true self. In embracing myself, I found beauty and peace in my
actions. Another important piece of content that helped me embrace vulnerability came from
David Brook’s speech regarding our Adam 1 and Adam 2 side. Brook’s made it apparent that in
order for someone to find on paper success, it entails that they usually neglect the harder aspects
of life, like love, accepting sins, and deepening character. (“Should you live for your résumé ...
or your eulogy?” by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week Two) This piece of content relates to
vulnerability because it allows us to realize that embarrassing our weaknesses is necessary in
living a fulfilling life. After arriving at Notre Dame, I have begun to embrace the faith aspect of
the school that makes it so unique. While I am weak at expressing faith right now, as David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM


Brooks would call it, I am allowing myself to be vulnerable and practice my flaws so I can find
more fulfillment in my life.

Root belief 2:

I believe that I grow authentically when I embrace a tight-knit circle of friends, family, and
spirituality, allowing me to express my true self, make mistakes, and bask in each other's
successes.

Throughout the first quarter, I have begun to understand what being spiritual actually
means. I always thought that it meant that I was religious, believed in a God, etc. However,
through Moreau, I have learned that spiritually is far more broad and important to me and my
life. In reading David Fagerberg’s article regarding spirituality, my understanding of these
concepts were greatly enhanced. He discussed how faith, hope, and love are all intertwined in
creating your spirit, and his article brought light to the false beliefs that I always held about what
this meant. (“Faith Brings Light to a Dark World” by David Fagerberg - Moreau FYE Week
Three).

Once I recognized how spiritually includes love, hope, and faith, I realized that my life
revolves around the teachings of spiritually. I value my community, friends, and family more
than anything in this world, and it is in understanding this intersection of the two ideas is where I
found my root belief to be true. When it comes to my growth as a person, it all stems from my
circle of individuals pushing me to become a better person everyday. Whether this ranges from
motivation in a sport, in school, or consolation in hard times, I lean on both my spirituality and
my people. George Ella Lyon, in her “Where I’m From” poem, gives detailed imagery into her
life, her connections, and her upbringing. (“Where I'm From” by George Ella Lyon - Moreau
FYE Week Five) I find that the idea of “Where I’m From” is crucial in understanding me as a
person. I am from many places, many people, and many things; however, I choose to only let a
few individuals influence my life, and those who I choose are the ones who help me grow.

In summary, I feel that my authentic growth as a person, scholar, and human, comes from
the intersection of spirituality and the individuals close to me. In combining the practices of love,
hope, and faith, along with the mentorship of my people, I find my most success.

Root belief 3:

I believe that understanding healthy vs unhealthy relationships is an important part
of my life and that helping myself and others navigate relationships and community is very
rewarding.

https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/belief/faith-brings-light-to-dark-world/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=promotion&utm_campaign=moreau
http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html


It is a universal truth that at some point in an individual’s life, they will run into
relationships with others that are not healthy. Not everyone is built the same, nor does everyone
get along the same. Moreau has taught me what a healthy vs unhealthy relationship looks like,
which is an integral part of relationship building. However, more importantly, I have learned
during this course the methods in navigating relationships, how to detach yourself from
relationships, and how to help others navigate their relationships. In Oliva T. Taylor’s article
regarding toxic relationships, she outlines five key signs that you are in a toxic relationship. The
piece that I find most applicable to my life and my root belief is that individuals in a toxic
relationship may be used in order for the other person to get what they want. (“5 Signs You're in
a Toxic Friendship” by Olivia T. Taylor - Moreau FYE Week Four) Throughout high school, I
have met “friends” that ultimately used me for homework, questions, essays, etc. This is not life
or death, but it helped me realize that these types of behaviors are not normal nor acceptable in a
healthy relationship. During Moreau, I was able to hone these recognition skills and make it a
root belief in my life that understanding healthy vs. unhealthy actions is very important in
finding true meaning in my life.

While determining healthy and unhealthy behavior in my own life is very important, I
find that helping others navigate the troubling aspects of relationships, community, or other
external factors is the most rewarding type of help. In Carla Harris’ speech, she said that “The
way to amplify your life is to use who you are, what you know, and who you know, to help
others.” (“Notre Dame Commencement 2021: Laetare Medalist Address” by Carla Harris -
Moreau FYE Week Six) This quote was the most significant piece of advice I have heard in this
course because it is applicable in all facets and situations in life. When it comes to helping others
navigate relationships, her advice shines as bright as the sun. If we delegate our time and
resources to helping others better their “story” and find importance in their life, especially in
mending strong relationships, we see our own lives turn from not only successful but to
empowering and significant.

Root belief 4:

I believe that initial judgments and implicit biases damage our society by
perpetuating harmful distinctions and labels

In my final root belief, I wanted to explore the idea of implicit biases more in depth,
specifically in labeling someone’s story for them. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Ted Talk, she
discusses her background of growing up in a world of single stories and biases. A quote that
stood out as profound to me was “What struck me was this: She had felt sorry for me even before
she saw me. Her default position toward me, as an African, was a kind of patronizing,
well-meaning pity. My roommate had a single story of Africa: a single story of catastrophe.”

https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/relationships/signs-of-toxic-friendships/
https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/relationships/signs-of-toxic-friendships/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSwjn-SyB4


(“The danger of a single story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Moreau FYE Week Seven) In
this quote, Chimamanda discusses the negative implications of a single story in regards to the
continent of Africa - in other words, a much larger scale. However, the principle stays true
regardless of the situation, and that is people develop implicit biases and stories, even if there is
no malicious intent. So, how does that affect the world now? Well, biases and the single story
downfall has created a world so polarized politically, emotionally, ethically, across all sorts of
issues. Politicians hold staunch views about individuals, and even the educational elite still hold
biases and are not open minded. I mentioned this in an earlier QQC, but I am too a victim of
implicit bias. While not intentional, it is in human nature to judge and give distinctions quickly,
holding a figurative notecard above someone’s head saying “I am (blank) and nothing more.” If
we continue at this pace, we must ask ourselves, will we ever be considered equal, or will we
always have a label over our head?

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/transcript#t-32487