Week 8 - Integration I Theo Helm Moreau First-Year-Experience 10 October 15, 2021 My Journey and How I Will Move Forward Moreau First-Year-Experience has already given me so much insight on my life and the ramifications I can have in other’s lives as well. I firmly believe that my life is meant to help others and not put myself first. I believe that I need to stand up for myself and more importantly others, and be a force for good. I believe that being at the University of Notre Dame will and already has fundamentally changed me to be more oriented towards others and look for the ones who truly need to be recognized within our community. These core beliefs are formed from the experience’s I have had on campus so far and my upbringing. It is the fact that “I am from these moments” and experiences which give me these beliefs (“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon - Moreau FYE Week 6). One incredibly powerful experience I’ve had here at the University of Notre Dame has to be the football games. The whole atmosphere of the stadium and the game is amazing. There is truly nothing else like it. The way you are able to connect with the students around you and all root for a common cause is powerful. It is one of the few times ever that the collective student body will cheer for one singular thing: an Irish victory. It's this power we have around us that is felt through the entire stadium. Carla Harris’ Laetare Medal speech which happened to also be at the same stadium, echoed these same sentiments. She said we have the “power to create power, power to define power, … power to empower other people most importantly” (“2021 Laetare Medalist Address” by Carla Harris - Moreau FYE Week 5). This is an important truth to be known. Having the power to make others better is something that the world takes for granted too many times which makes it refreshing for it to be so omnipotent on the Notre Dame campus. Her http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSwjn-SyB4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSwjn-SyB4 words truly exemplify the culture and impact humans can have on their own experience of life; however, we usually disregard this incredible ability. It is our duty to make sure that as Notre Dame students we transform this unique power to the outer world past South Bend. This is something that many may have a problem with, but empowering others to do their best is of the utmost importance to be a better person. Brene Brown says that we must have “the willingness to do something where there are no guarantees” (“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown - Moreau FYE Week 1). All of us only live in this world for a miniscule amount of time compared to the entirety of man. It is almost impossible to make a mark big enough for one to be remembered for eternity. However, this is irrelevant, instead we must be remembered for the kindness and thoughtfulness we show others. We must not disrespect anybody through pressure as well. Part of respecting others is respecting that different people have their own thoughts. The One Love Foundation formed a video about this and emphasized alcohol induced peer pressure. In the video someone who had pressured their friend instantly realizes the impact they had on them. They say “because I love you I’m so sorry I was wasted” (“Because I Love You, Double Whiskey” by One Love Foundation - Moreau FYE Week 4). This is the complete opposite of what we should want in our lives and our relationships. Common respect is the number one priority. As long as it is from the people that matter to us the most, this should be what we strive for. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie had a very interesting college roommate situation. She is from Africa and her roommate was completely unfamiliar with African culture. Her roommate unknowingly belittled her through her comments she made about her heritage. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie identified it as if “she felt sorry for me… a patronizing well meaning pity” (“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Moreau FYE Week 7). This would be a horrible experience to have to go through. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability?language=en https://www.joinonelove.org/act/because-i-love-you/ https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story#t-296388 However, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was able to respect the fact that her roommate had little knowledge of African culture and was basically just going off of archaic stereotypes. It is this ability that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie showed that we as humans need to all share. Even when we ourselves are belittled, we must treat them with even more kindness. Attempting to embody everything that has been said is difficult. It is almost impossible to be respectful and kind every moment of every day. Our mood shifts frequently, and this is part of the human condition. David Brooks tells us that “we are not taught in this culture to wrestle with our sin” (“Should You Live for Your Resume or Your Eulogy” by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week 2). To be able to realize that we are all sinners but are still loved is paramount to recognize. It allows us to realize we are not perfect but that is not something we should try to achieve and would be a fallacy. It is hard to imagine but Fr. Pete McCormick tells us that “you are better off looking at your knot with a fresh set of eyes” (“The Role of Faith in Our Story” by Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week 3). Fr. Pete expertly compares the problems we have in our life to a shoelace knot. Trying to untangle a shoelace knot is one of the most aggravating things there is in this world. Trying to untie it is excruciatingly annoying and time consuming, but it takes careful consideration about what steps one might take to untie it. Our philosophical and theological problems with faith and religion can be solved similarly to a shoelace knot. Our struggles with God and his presence in human’s lives can take years to decipher; however, we must all be patient and discern what we are encountering in our lives. Word Count: 1025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=UniversityofNotreDameCampusMinistry