Living Out My Best Life: Here and Beyond Notre Dame
Zachary Sellman
	As I realized in writing my own eulogy earlier this year, I realized that I want to be remembered as someone who uses many small actions to build others up over time. (Moreau FYE Week Eight). Likewise, in writing my personal mission statement earlier this year, I realized that in order to have an impact in small moments, I need to value each and every one of those small moments. (Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). The primary goal I had in my personal mission statement was to have an impact on others that, however small, would always be uplifting and beneficial to them. Specifically, I want to achieve this through acts of inclusion, service, thoughtfulness, and kindness. As a result, I want my impact to be one that builds community, weaves togetherness, and creates happiness. Building community at college is essential, because community fosters effective learning. Engaging with the campus community is immensely important for learning how to be an effective citizen later on in life. In a Ted Talk with His Holiness Pope Francis iterates the importance of community and what it does for each of us: “First and foremost, I would love it if this meeting could help to remind us that we all need each other, none of us is an island, an autonomous and independent "I," separated from the other, and we can only build the future by standing together, including everyone.” (“Why the only future worth building includes everyone” by His Holiness Pope Francis - Moreau FYE Week Seven). As such, I want whatever I do as an individual to have an uplifting force for the communities I am a part of, because communities are how we build a brighter future. Indeed, having this kind of effect will not be easy or one singular, discrete effort. Taking my time through my life, appreciating small moments, relaxing, and introspection will be essential learning how to have the best impact that I can. As Pico Iyer notes in his Ted Talk article, “To me, the point of sitting still is that it helps you see through the very idea of pushing forward; indeed, it strips you of yourself, as of a coat of armor, by leading you into a place where you’re defined by something larger.” (“Why We Need to Slow Down Our Lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One).
	As I noted, I want inclusion to be an essential part of my goals and mission here at Notre Dame. In my near future here at the University of Notre Dame, or, rather, in a few months, I will be a member of Morrissey Manor’s St. Andre Welcome Week Committee. I want to own up to that role and that responsibility by being as inclusive as possible. This will especially include making those who normally would not feel at home at a place like the University of Notre Dame, which predominantly white, catholic, and mostly heterosexual, feel like a cherished part of this campus community. Part of this requires facing the realities that there are extreme injustices in this world, so that I can do my part in a societal effort to combat them with inclusivity and acceptance. As Dean G. Marcus Cole states in his open letter, “It is urgent that we recognize that human rights are under threat all around the world, including here in the United States. This reality must be acknowledged, and addressed.” (“Dean G. Marcus Cole: 'I am George Floyd. Except, I can breathe. And I can do something.'” by G. Marcus Cole - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). This will also include combating my own biases, recognizing my privilege, and working to combat the source of my privilege: “This systemic and institutional control allows those of us who are white in North America to live in a social environment that protects and insulates us from race-based stress. We have organized society to reproduce and reinforce our racial interests and perspectives.” (“Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Another, possibly more difficult part of how I can be more inclusive will be embracing those who I do not agree with. Certainly this year, in my Moreau First Year Experience class as well as in more generic conversations with my roommates, classmates, and peers, I have realized that I do not agree with everyone here. Embracing these people ultimately would live up to the legacy that legendary President of Notre Dame Father Theodore Hesburgh left behind. Hesburgh bridged gaps between sides of issues and ultimately created peace between those gaps: “He belonged to the side of a fundamental belief in the redeemablity in mankind.) (“Hesburgh” by Kevin Abbott - Moreau FYE Week Two). Believing in and working towards the goals of Father Hesburgh, I find, is an important goal to have as my future specifically as a University of Notre Dame student as well as a person and citizen. Trying to bridge gaps between myself and those that disagree with me is quintessential for reversing the trends that are dividing our nation right now. Specifically, the over politicization and political polarization that has been festering recently because of separation between different political groups. Ultimately, this has made politics extremely inefficient, and has even rid politics of much of its original purpose: “They're there to serve their own emotional and intellectual needs. They're not trying to move anyone. They're not trying to empower anything.” (“Passion Isn’t Enough (Hidden Brain Media)” by Shankar Vedantam and featuring Eitan Hersh - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). Ultimately, in taking up these goals in responsibilities, I hope to be an effective leader as a member of my hall’s Welcome Week committee, and ultimately the most inclusive version of myself.
	In these last three years at the University of Notre Dame, I have to figure out what I would like to do with my life. Except, maybe I do not. The way I see it, my time at Notre Dame will teach me about how to be the person I want to be, helping me grow immensely as a person in mind, heart, and soul. This way I will be able to go out into the world and do whatever I wish to do, in a way that will be beneficial to the people around me. Currently, I am a Computer Science major, which I am excited about, but Notre Dame and Moreau have shown me so far that education is a lot more than just a major: “It’s not a one-step process. Contrary to popular belief, deciding on a major does not determine the rest of your life.” (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). Rather, a holistic educational experience, and being the best, most inclusive, version of myself determines the rest of my life. As such, I will be able to do that which both makes me happy and makes a difference. I will be able to focus on the first of Father Michael Himes’ essential questions: “Again, the first question is, ‘What gives you joy? What is the source of your joy?’” (“Three Key Questions” by Michael Himes - Moreau FYE Week Three). I also know that I will be able to lean on people if I do ever have uncertainties regarding what I should be doing with my life: “Often, others can help us see things we cannot see ourselves. This brief conversation can help you gain a new perspective on your life and, ultimately, help you discover how to develop a vision of a life well-lived that is uniquely aligned with your most authentic self.” (“Discerning a Life Well-Lived Conversation Activity” by Moreau First Year Experience - Moreau FYE Week Five). 
	Lastly, I know I might have struggles in my last few years here. However, it will be important to have perspective, and to not let struggles derail me from becoming who I want to be and achieving my goals as a person. This will require doing two things that I am not overly used to doing. Firstly, I will need to voice that I am having a tough time when I am having a tough time: “Evidence shows the simple act of translating our emotions into language — versus simply experiencing them — can stop our brains from activating our amygdala, the fight-or-flight command center. This, in turn, seems to help us stay in control.” (“The Right Way to be Introspective (Yes, There’s a Wrong Way)” by Tasha Euric - Moreau FYE Week Six). Secondly, I will need to let people into my struggles, so that they can help me, and I can ultimately help them more as well: “In the accompaniment model, we’re in this together; we’re implicated as partners in the mix, sharing in the complexity and chaos of each other’s lives. As a result, when challenges occur, as they always do, walking together, you’re less likely to be arrogant and think you have all the solutions.” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg - Moreau FYE Week Nine). By getting through my struggles and helping others with theirs, I will be able to round out the more personal aspect of how I can be my best self. By dealing with things more effectively and not letting anything sway me too much from my holistic goals here as a student, I ultimately hope that I can have the three years of my life here at Notre Dame that transform me into the best version of myself.