Microsoft Word - FINAL Capstone Integration.docx Taylor Kelly Moreau First Year Experience 29 April 2022 The Larger Picture A life well-lived lived looks different for every person, but for me, , there are multiple steps to achieving a life well-lived. I believe that although morbid, to live a life well- lived requires the acknowledgment of my inevitable of death. When I feel myself holding back from opportunities and experiences out of fear, anxiety, doubt, shame, or laziness, I remind myself that my time here on earth is short (“Meet the nun who wants you to remember that you will die” by Ruth Graham – Moreau FYE Week Three). I remind myself that to hold myself back is to rob myself of the life that I deserve. My worst fear is the moment on my death bed when I ask myself “what could my life have been if I just tried harder and stayed true to myself?” I can remind myself about death by making a list of long-term goals and the steps I need to take to achieve those goals. By revisiting this lift every few days, I remind myself that there are real-life deadlines approaching—deadlines for life experiences that I don’t want to miss out on. Thankfully I had the opportunity to write my own eulogy, anticipating the rest of my life, under the assumption that I had led a life well-lived. Transferring my long-term goals onto paper really made me question how I want to be remembered (“The Final Chapter” by – Moreau FYE Week Eight). In my mission statement, I wrote: “I hope to leave a positive impact on people that I spend time with. I hope that when I have a conversation with someone, they walk away smiling” (“Personal Mission Statement” by – Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). This statement, although quite simple, answers the question of how I want to be remembered. The assignment of writing a eulogy was truly enlightening, as it also served as a reminder that despite challenges, it is in fact possible for me to succeed in living my best life. The part of my eulogy that I struggled most with writing was the section about the career path I will choose. This was a challenge because as of right now, I am not set on my major, let alone my future career. Learning about Notre Dame’s Meruelo Family Center for Career Development helped calm my anxieties about my future career path by letting me know of the vast resources available to me. In “Navigating Your Career Journey,” the phrase: “There is no ‘best major’ out there - but there is a ‘best major for you’” is emphasized (“Navigating Your Career Journey” by Meruelo Family Center for Career Development - Moreau FYE Week Four). I find comfort in the fact that there is a major that will set me up for success after college, leading me on the right path to a fulfilling career. I tend to confide in my dad when I need advice about grown-up things such as career options. I immediately feel better after talking to my dad about his personal experience in discerning his career. In the next three years, I will discern my major and my career path by engaging in conversation with upperclassmen about their experiences in discernment. Whether that be through the career center, my sister’s friends, or having older student as a classmate, I will find ways to connect with upperclassmen. It comforts me to know that they were in the same position that I am in today. I know that all I need sometimes is a little inspiration, because my dad has taught me by way of example the importance of hard work and determination. In our conversation of discernment, he reminded of my natural problem skills. I am lucky to be able to harness this strength as I go through life because I know it will help me pursue a life well-lived (“Week Five Discernment Conversation Activity” – Moreau FYE Week Five). To be able to problem solve, one must possess the motivation to solve problems in the first place. Intellectual curiosity is a huge motivator, which is why I believe that having an undying intellectual curiosity of the major that I will study is a necessity. Hard work and determination stems from intellectual curiosity and gratitude, and in my next three years, I will still be working extremely hard. One of the only differences I will see in my work ethic is that I don’t have the scary requirement of getting a 3.5 GPA looming over me. I think I will have a better relationship with school in the next three years just as I get to know myself better and learn to trust myself. My mission statement opens with: “I, , have a thirst for knowledge and love of learning that I use in all my pursuits” (“Personal Mission Statement” by – Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). My intellectual curiosity is what motivates me in not just school, but in everyday life. I believe that I am constantly learning from the people around me, especially the brilliant people I have had the honor to work with at Notre Dame and Holy Cross College. For example, having a relationship with my English teacher at Holy Cross significantly improved my writing. She conveyed to me the principles of good rhetoric so clearly which was fascinating because I have struggled with this in the past. I can continue to learn from others by always engaging in class discussion to the best of my ability and making an effort to branch out in my dorm community next year. The more people I meet, the more I will learn. It is very important to me that I stay connected to Holy Cross in some way, whether that be returning to meet with my favorite professors or getting food at Siggy Dining Hall. The tri-campus community is truly a community like no other. Part of what makes this community so special is the impact and lasting legacy of Father Theodore Hesburgh, former president of Notre Dame. Fr. Hesburgh was an extraordinary man; his life is the perfect example of a life well-lived. In my personal mission statement, I wrote “I aspire to be a light for others in the darkness of life’s difficulties, struggles, and tragedies” (“Personal Mission Statement” by – Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). Fr. Hesburgh was a light to not just the Notre Dame community, but the entire world. Throughout his life he sought justice for every human being and worked to spread peace in our world during a time of great divide—the Civil Rights Movement. Fr. Hesburgh’s ability to inspire and his incessant ambition is rooted in his faith. It is through faith that Fr. Hesburgh declares his mission to accelerate the progress of the Civil Rights Movement, as he seeks to imitate the life of Christ (“Hesburgh” by Jerry Barca and Christine O’Malley - Moreau FYE Week Two). I plan be a light in the midst of darkness these next three years by making everyone I encounter feel welcome, safe, respected, and loved. I can do this by staying politically informed, and by being a good listener. I wonder how Fr. Hesburgh would respond to the political climate of today in wake of the Black Lives Matter Movement? In his letter to the Notre Dame community, Dean G. Marcus Cole writes: “While my education and position do not grant me immunity from racial violence, they do place me in a position to do something about it” (“Dean G. Marcus Cole: ‘I am George Floyd. Except I, can Breathe. And I can do something’” by Dean G. Marcus Cole – Moreau FYE Week Twelve). Just as Fr. Hesburgh did, Dean G. Marcus Cole uses his position to restore justice in our nation starting with the Notre Dame community. I can Dean G. Marcus Cole is another example of a man leading a life well-lived. In, “Dean G. Marcus Cole: ‘I am George Floyd. Except I, can Breathe. And I can do something,’” he discusses his experiences with racism. How explains how racism has traumatized African-American people, including him and his family. Despite this sad reality, Dean Cole responds to the suffering of his racial community by pursuing a career in law, becoming Dean of one of our nation’s best law schools. Both Father Hesburgh and Dean G. Marcus Cole are inspirations to me, and I would not consider my life a life well-lived if I did not act with the same courage as they have. Just as Dean Cole lays out his plan of action and response to suffering, in “Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together,” Steve Reifenberg explains that the best way to respond to suffering is through accompaniment. Reifenberg says: “Not only is it important to walk together with somebody, but one must also learn how to be accompanied – to participate in the reciprocity of accompaniment” (“Teaching Accompaniment: A Learning Journey Together” by Steve Reifenberg – Moreau FYE Week Nine). In other words, when helping someone deal with their own suffering, there must be an interdependence between the person suffering, and the person accompanying them. Being able to relate to someone who is suffering is a display of true vulnerability. Accompaniment makes such a difference because humans are stronger together. I believe I am being called to accompany my fellow gateway students as we take a huge, scary step in our lives next year. I can do this by attending gateway dinners and other reunion events. I can say the same when we are all seniors, still a family, taking an even bigger step out into the real world. In helping one another through accompaniment, we are able to form genuine human connections rooted in vulnerability. Connections like these are relationships of a life well-lived. Fr. Greg Boyle speaks on idea of forming relationships in “Chapter 8: Jurisdiction.” He returns to the theme of tearing down the walls and breaking down the barriers that separate people in our society. Although forming relationships has been a struggle for me due to my fear of vulnerability, I understand the importance of embracing the overwhelming emotions that come with being upfront and honest. This is something I have been actively working on in pursuit of a life well-lived and I truly believe that I am up for the challenge (“Chapter 8: Jurisdiction” by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. – Moreau FYE Week Seven). Being vulnerable with my classmates has been a challenge this year. It helps to remind myself that if I am not vulnerable, or not acting like my true self, then I will never find my people. Breaking down walls and tearing down barriers is a common theme in the pursuit of a life well-lived. The only way to truly practice inclusion is to connect with others through not just finding similarities but also appreciating differences. Embracing differences is something that I wish was more prevalent in our society. Political polarization has become a big problem that must be addressed. As mentioned in my mission statement, I believe a thirst for knowledge is an essential part of a life well-lived. One cannot gain knowledge without engaging in intellectual conversation in which he or she has the is able to reasonably disagree while fully absorbing the ideas of those with whom they disagree (“How to Avoid an Echo Chamber” by Dr. Paul Blaschko – Moreau FYE Week Eleven). There is so much to be learned from those with differing opinions based on different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences—you just need to include those people your own conversation. In the next three years, I will make sure to place myself in classes that will not just academically challenge me, but also challenge my beliefs. I am excited to be able to learn from my future classmates at Notre Dame through collaboration in class. As a part of a guide to student life, the text “The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” communicates: “The social teachings of the Catholic Church promote a society founded on justice and love, in which all persons possess inherent dignity as children of God” (“The Spirit of Inclusion at Notre Dame” by University of Notre Dame – Moreau FYE Week Ten). I can feel the love when I step onto campus at Notre Dame, however, as a gateway student, I feel like an outcast sometimes. Although this feeling is nothing compared to social justice issues plaguing other groups in society and I can fully acknowledge my own privilege, I would like to point out how my experience as a gateway has impacted me. I have learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and I have learned to appreciate the unique perspective I bring to my Notre Dame classes as a gateway student. I can confidently say I am well equipped with the tools to deal with issues of exclusion in my next 3 years at Notre Dame and beyond. I am proud of how I have turned what I initially viewed as an obstacle in the way of getting to Notre Dame into an opportunity to grow. Everyone has their struggle or main obstacle preventing them from reaching something. For Dr. Jimhoon Kim, it is his paralysis that was his obstacle and object of suffering; but now, he expresses gratitude, for this tragedy has brought him so much closer to God (“5 Minutes” by Aria Swarr - Moreau FYE Week Six). Encountering suffering in my future is inevitable, but it is an important aspect of life—even a life well-lived. Dr. Jimhoon Kim’s story of how he turned around his situation is evidence of a life well-lived and I can only hope to brave and wise as he is one day. A section of my mission statement connects to this topic: “I do my best to stay grounded, not taking my blessings for granted” (“Personal Mission Statement” by – Moreau FYE Week Thirteen). I know that the gratitude and the strength to overcome struggle are principles essential to my life moving forward. I can practice gratitude on a daily basis by incorporating words of thankfulness in my prayers and private moments with God. The integration of all thirteen weeks of Moreau is the perfect way to end my freshman year of college with self-reflection. The first thing we discussed as a class week one is the importance of slowing down our lives to be able to self-reflect. A quote that I read this first week that has stuck with me ever since, is from the text “Why we need to slow down our lives.” Pico Iyer says: “It’s easy to feel as if we’re standing two inches away from a huge canvas that’s noisy and crowded and changing with every microsecond. It’s only by stepping farther back and standing still that we can begin to see what that canvas (which is our life) really means, and to take in the larger picture” (“Why we need to slow down our lives” by Pico Iyer - Moreau FYE Week One). When I step back and look at the canvas which is my life, I will see the things I’ve learned at Notre Dame in every moment. The further I step backward, the clearer the canvas becomes. I’ll see my love of learning, my appreciation for the small joys, my desire to help carry the burdens of others, my gratitude, my courage in vulnerability, my nature of inclusion, and my ability to embrace differences. I hope that as I take my last step, the larger picture that I see is a life well-lived.