Moreau Integration Three Professor Espeseth Moreau Integration Three March 4th, 2022 A life Well-Lived: No Universal Definition Decerning the definition of a life well-lived is among the most difficult inquiries of any college student. However, here at Notre Dame, I have slowly and carefully begun to piece together my understanding of a “life well-lived”. Similar to many other aspects of life, I believe that the definition of a life well-lived is dynamic, changing, and refining with every state of life. Currently, I have deducted that a life well-lived stems from self-care, meaningful relationships, and self-reflection. Since coming to college, I have found myself to be incredibly busy. I find it difficult to balance the coursework of my classes, participation in extracurricular activities, and career discernment. I often find myself overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and an underlying sense of obligation to constantly be doing work or studying. As driven, involved students, I believe that many Notre Dame students can attest to these feelings of anxiety and worry. As a result, many students prioritize work at the expense of rest. We feel as if we must constantly be doing work or stimulating our brains in some way in order to be “productive” or to prevent boredom. However, I have found through personal experience that rest is necessary for the completion of quality work. In his article, Why we need to slow down our lives, Pico Lyer effectively articulates the fundamental need for breaks. Lyer states, says “The more time I spend away from my work, the better that work will be” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Lyer – Moreau FYE Week One). I believe that many students, including myself, have a misunderstanding of the https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ meaning of productivity in the context of our own lives. It can be far more productive to rest or simply be still rather than seeking constant mental stimulation. In other words, prioritizing rest can lead to more productive times of non-rest. I believe that incorporating breaks and prioritizing rest is the first step to a life well-lived. The phrase “a life well-lived” is often deceiving because some people are led to believe that a well-lived life is one without pain or hardship. However, I believe that some degree of suffering is necessary for growth when living a meaningful life. In the movie Hesburgh, Father Hesburgh says “In my faith, you learn there is meaning in suffering. But to truly understand that you must suffer yourself” (“Hesburgh” Produced by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley — Moreau FYE Week Two). On the surface, suffering appears to be contradictory to a well-lived life, but in reality, suffering often brings about meaning and fulfillment. However, it is difficult to distinguish what degree of suffering constitutes a life well-lived. As Jihoon Kim asks, “if God is good, why does he allow suffering to my life?” (“5 Minutes” by Aria Swarr – Moreau Week Six). I believe that there is some human suffering that is extremely difficult to justify as being part of God’s larger plan. However, not all suffering is in opposition to a life well-lived. The concept of death is difficult to come to terms with. For most people, it takes years of reflection and contemplation to accept the inevitability of death. Oftentimes, people struggle with the concept of death for a significant portion of their lives. In an article, Sister Alethia argues that in remembering death, we bring more meaning into our lives (“Meet The Nun Who Wants You To Remember You Will Die” by Ruth Gram – Moreau FYE Week Three). While the concept of death is somewhat morbid, coming to terms with the brevity of life allows us to discern what we wish to take away from our brief time on Earth, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. http://hesburgh https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/us/memento-mori-nun.html A major source of stress for college students including myself is the career discernment process. Over the past few months, I have observed myself feeling reluctant and unmotivated to get involved in this process. I have felt overwhelmed by classes and adjusting to life in college, making it difficult for me to put extra energy into discerning a career path. However, when I put off this discernment process, I find that it just brings me more anxiety. As I explored Notre Dame’s undergraduate career services website, I felt motivated to take ownership of my career discernment process and utilize the tools that are available at my disposal (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Center For Career Development – Moreau FYE Week Four). However, I began to realize that a live well-lived is not contingent upon one’s choice of career. I believe that in choosing our careers, we are given the opportunity to engage in a career that will bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives. However, one’s chosen career path is not the sole instrument of meaning. There are many other aspects of one’s life and identity that have the capability to generate meaning and ultimately lead to a life of happiness and fulfillment. I have found that speaking to those who know me well is a powerful tool of self-reflection and has aided my career discernment process. For Moreau Week five, I was prompted to engage in a conversation with a close friend or family member concerning my values, strengths, and vocation (“Discerning a Life Well-Lived Discernment Conversation Activity” – Moreau FYE Week Five). I chose to speak with my mother because she knows me well and is able to identify my core values. We concluded that my greatest desire in life is to engage in meaningful relationships. I deeply value family, friendships, and human interaction in general. Growing up in a family of seven children, I have learned to appreciate those around me. In his TED talk, Pope Francis claims that many people are under the impression that a happy future is impossible to achieve (“Why The Only Future Worth Building Includes https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yZ7hqvx-u4EuW2nlK-fRbWFiurQm1mZv_KpoeeiN4So/edit https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript Everyone” by TED Conferences and Pope Francis – Moreau FYE Week Seven). However, I have faith that a future of happiness is obtainable. I believe that our life experiences shape what we can envision for the future and I acknowledge that my optimism regarding my future is likely a result of my upbringing and privilege. Over the past eight weeks, I have questioned my vocation more than ever before. I have found that a life well-lived is more than just a career choice. The quality of one’s relationships is critical in creating a life well-lived. However, there is no universal truth that outlines a life well-lived. For me, a life well-lived is enabled through self-care, reflection, and meaningful relationships. https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript