Integration three Integration three: : a man who changed many lives On today’s unfortunate day we have lost a person who changed many in his life. A man who was a son, lover, leader, motivator, and friend to everyone he encountered. He always found a way to connect with others, how to make them laugh and be comfortable. I decided to spend the last 7 weeks with Angel and learned and understood how and why he lived a well-lived life. During our first week together he taught me Self-Reflection, I came to understand that for me to begin to live a well-lived life I must first be at peace with myself. Angel would talk about how Self-reflection was a topic that he was familiar with since he practiced and trained both mental and physical meditation throughout his High School days. He would ask me to meditate, and he would tell me to reflect and think deeply of not only myself but of others. And during this time process, I realized that not only is the human body supposed to relax it must also restrict itself from negative thoughts and even people. It what a quote that Angel took to heart that states, “The need for a space, a pause, is something we have all felt in our bones; it’s the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape.” (Text: "Why we need to slow down our lives" (Pico Iyer, TED), Week 1- Practicing Self-Reflection) And throughout these Meditations, I learned and understood that relaxation is necessary for the body to heal and prepare itself for the upcoming days. Self-reflection permits us to check out our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and activities. It helps us become better human beings, like Angel. During our second week together, I learned about Individuals who changed the world, and who was a motivation to Angel to live a well-lived life. I also learned what the true meaning of a well-lived life was. Angel said that “life is about helping others and cherishing the opportunities given to change the world for good.” In one of his many stories, he told me about Father https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ https://ideas.ted.com/why-we-need-a-secular-sabbath/ Hesburgh. Angel felt a very strong connection to Father Hesburgh and his wanting of change in the world. Both didn’t let discrimination nor segregation stop him from their overall goal. Angel saw Father Hesburgh as an inspiration to construct a non-profit organization for the Latino community in rural and low-profit communities. Angel wanted to aid and help students and families from South Bend financially, socially, and academically. He understood that the Latino community is under limited situations and he wanted to help. Angel told me a quote from Father Hesburgh that resonated with him, “We are all created in the image of God, we are all equal in God’s eyes” (Video: "Hesburgh" (Produced by Jerry Barca and Christine O'Malley, Week 2 - Inspirations of a Life Well-Lived) As a religious and minority student Angel felt that there was still much work needed to be done. Individuals such as Angel and Father Hesburgh were people who impacted and are still currently impacting society for a greater change in the future world. Their wanting of good in this world helped future generations understand and come to peace with one another. Our third week was different than all the other weeks as Angel introduced me to a viewpoint of asking questions related to a well-lived life. This was to ensure I was on the correct path of accomplishing my end goal. Angel would say that a well-lived life comes down to three questions. The first question is, “Am I making a change either to myself or someone else? The second question is, “Did I learn anything from yesterday’s day? And if so, am I making changes to perfect that skill or problem? The last question is, “Am I making my siblings follow a path of success, and if so, how do I need to make life better for them and future generations? Angel never owned expensive nor luxurious items as he believed strongly that “the materialistic materials wear off, aesthetics become old, and riches and power end when we die. However, what doesn’t die is the legacy and inspiration you leave during your journey of life” Angel https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 https://notredame.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=10159379-7eca-4549-8581-ab9500c9ecd9 believed that, “Two key virtues are crucial to give oneself away: wisdom and courage. Wisdom is more than knowledge and wisdom preeminently knows that the other is other.” (adapted from Fr. Michael Himes, Week 3 - Questions of a Life Well-Lived) “Having the courage to make a change in this world is for me a well-lived life.” Angel understood the true meaning of a well-lived life. Angel accomplished what 90% of the world population can’t do. During our fourth week, Angel taught me to dive deeper into what it means to live a well-lived life. I had to become aware of different ways I can help others or ways I can connect with others that have or are living a well-lived life. Angel understood that a well-lived life is one that had an impact whether big or small on society or even a single person. However, how can one know what their dream or ideal life is? Angel would always say that “a well-lived life is one that was impactful towards yourself and the community around you. The only way to know more about yourself is to test the waters - just get out and experience life!” (Text: "Navigating Your Career Journey” (Meruelo Family Center for Career Development) in a new window, Week 4 - Exploring a Life Well-Lived) I remember Angel telling me about a teacher in Highschool whom he admired so much as she never gave up on her goals. Despite it taking her three years to finally decide on her specific career she is now happy teaching Calculus 1 to high schoolers. Angel acknowledged that she didn’t let society or others' judgment let her go through a path that was not for her. Angel knew that the decision on what career he wanted to pursue was decided before he entered college. He wanted to become an Architect since he was 5 years old. I recall his mother telling me that he loved playing with legos as he would design the most interesting and eccentric designs. Angel, was a person who despite knowing his major at a young age still helped and motivated others to choose their ideal path. Many called him Counselor Angel as he was always giving advice to other students and he did it with a smile every single time. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39695/files/469291/download?download_frd=1 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39695/files/469291/download?download_frd=1 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/39695/files/469291/download?download_frd=1 https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ https://undergradcareers.nd.edu/navigating-your-career-journey---moreau/ During our fifth week together, he did something different. He gathered as many individuals as possible and had a small gathering/conversation with us about his Dillion retreat that changed how he viewed the world. The conversation Angel would say was “between dillion upperclassmen, Father Joe, and myself. The conversation was about ourselves and our connection to the Catholic faith.”However, Angel told us that he was not Catholic, we all saw him in confusion as he went to explain why he decided to attend this gathering. He would say that the reason why he attended was that he understood that silence was key to the understanding of god’s plan and time management to connect with God on a deeper level was important to a well-lived life. However, throughout the retreat, Angel would say that he came to understand and understood from others that he was a person who is against silence. He was a person who would rather use that time to help someone in need. Angel believes that what stretched his awareness of himself was that he grew up in an environment where helping others was a normal part of life. This environment taught him that by helping others you are doing God’s plan without the need for silence. He was different and he was okay with being different. He used all his time to help others, yet he always found a way to connect with god. During our Sixth week together, Angel talked about obstacles that are all around us. How we react and act against them will be determined by the amount of patience, discipline, knowledge, desire, and pain we are willing to invest. One of Angel’s obstacles is was his idea of perfectionism. Angel grew up in an environment where if something was not done to its perfect form then it was incorrect. Perfection became a killer of creativity and vitality in his life. However, he became conscious of the fact that no one is perfect nor anything for that matter. Angel understood that life is more than just a “perfect path”, and that in this path there will always be obstacles that we must overcome. He responded against this obstacle by trying new things and letting go of his expectations. For Angel, a well-lived life must go through failures. Angel told me about a video about an Individual that he saw that inspired him to become better. Dr. Kim, despite his circumstances, started his Ph.D. study in 2016. After graduation, taught at Denver Seminary as an adjunct professor. Dr. Kim states, “But at the same time, the purpose of my life is not simply about overcoming suffering. Suffering is part of our lives. It is always there, but it is about how to respond to suffering from God.” (Video: “5 Minutes” (Aria Swarr, Grotto), Week 6 - Obstacles to a Life Well-Lived) Life is meant to be full of failures and not perfection as Angel once thought. Life is full of pain and suffering but it is your determination that sets you apart from others. Your determination is what makes you successful. Angel despite this pain changed the lives of so many people. And thanks to him and other Individuals our world has the opportunity to be better. And our final week together, Week sixth, was about the relationships one makes throughout his well-lived life. Angel was known by many individuals throughout the world. However, one of Pope Francis's speeches connected with Angel on a deep level as they both had the same mentality and morals. Angel would say that our mentality of materialistic objects is limiting us from understanding the truth of today’s world. Angel would quote Pope Francis staying, “Only by educating people to true solidarity will we be able to overcome the "culture of waste," which doesn't concern only food and goods but, first and foremost, the people who are cast aside by our techno-economic systems which, without even realizing it, are now putting products at their core, instead of people?”(Video/Text: “Why the only future worth building includes everyone” (His Holiness Pope Francis, TED Conferences), Week 7 - Relationships of a Life Well-Lived) Angel agreed with this statement as unfortunately, our society has grown focused on money and riches controlling how one must be seen or act. Angel knew that society has grown apart from https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/why-does-god-allow-suffering/?utm_source=moreau&utm_medium=class&utm_campaign=spring_2022 https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript https://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript the section of community and peace. Angel understood that we must educate our future generations to have a future of peace and community or else greed will be the end of our society. Angel encouraged many to start educating our youngsters at home where the hierarchy starts. What a parent or guardian does, so will his child in the long run. Angel, despite his past and his obstacles, knew and understood what a well-lived life was. His messages inspired many others and will continue to inspire others in the future. Angel was someone who loved others and loved the world around him. He never gave up, and so I say these final words as a thank you to my friend, Angel. Thank you, and know that your legacy is strong and will remain forever. You did it, Angel, you accomplished it. (about 1950 words)