FYE Integration One An Extensive Culmination of the Values and Beliefs that Have Been Outlined via a Septilateral Narrative and Cumulative Course Designed to Evoke Reflection and Introspection on an Individual’s Moral and Personal Journey (AECotVaBtHBOvaSNaCCDtERaIoaIMaPJ) By Mike Scanlon Taking Moreau First Year Experience has opened my eyes to the pillars of my character which I had never realized before this class. Being in an environment so conducive to vulnerability is truly a breath of fresh air that has forced me to reflect on who I was, who I am, and who I would like to become. All of the values outlined in this integration are at the heart of who I am today. I believe that I am made to protect the people I love. I have always had an intrinsic desire to offer and provide protection to people, regardless of my relationship with them. I saw a stranger a few weeks ago in Chicago being sexually harassed, verbally, by a drunken stranger after a concert. Noticing that I had taken notice of the situation, she made intense eye contact with me, and I proceeded to come to her aid by coming to her side as if we had been at the concert together. I walked her away from the man and she thanked me. I walked away, not expecting anything in return, but feeling proud of who I am at that moment. David Brooks argues that “there’s a difference between your desired self and your actual self” (“Should You Live for Your Resume or Your Eulogy?” by Scott Brooks - Moreau FYE Week Two), but that night I think my two selves overlapped, a feeling that I strive to replicate every day of my life. I believe that my purpose in life is to love everyone who leaves an impact on me. I used to keep a list of all the people who have had the biggest impact on my life. I have since stopped because I could no longer keep track of all the individuals who have had influence over making me who I am today. Each one of them has made a difference in my life, and so I attempt to repay them by showing them love and doing my best to return the favor. Father Edward Sorin, CSC, and his congregation settled at Notre Dame du Lac under the condition laid forth by Blessed Basil Moreau that they would establish a university here, repaying the community and the country for the opportunities it offered them by establishing a means of academic and spiritual enrichment for its population, and for their congregation (“Fr. Sorin Letter to Bl. Basil Moreau, December 5, 1842” by Father Edward Sorin, CSC - Moreau FYE Week Five). I believe that who I am is a direct result of the relationships I have formed. I have found that while meeting people at Notre Dame may be easy due to the plethora of common traits and interests amongst its students, making meaningful connections with friends is hindered by a lack of willingness to open up to complete strangers. While building relationships https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLWTeApqIM https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o56woQDq3QrRkziT8eYrvYly5CQaP2Vb/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o56woQDq3QrRkziT8eYrvYly5CQaP2Vb/view does take time,“in order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen” ("The Power of Vulnerability" by Brene Brown - Moreau FYE Week One). By being vulnerable we allow our “shared stories” to “help us discover a shared destiny and our shared affection for one another” ("How to Destroy Truth" by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week Seven). I believe that failure is the best teacher. Throughout my life, and even since coming to Notre Dame, I have had many relationships disintegrate because people were not who I expected them to be. However, every failed relationship has taught me what I value most in the relationships that I look to create. If a relationship is not helping both parties “mutually [grow] … on a path toward becoming better people” ("5 Signs You're In a Toxic Friendship" by Olivia T. Taylor - Moreau Week Four), then it really is not worth keeping. Learning how to be better in the future based on the results of the past has become a key to how I live my life. I believe that I am happiest when those I love are happy. Where I am from, everybody knows everybody else. Therefore, we are always looking out for each other. I have found a similar environment here at Notre Dame. While the academic schedule is rigorous, there is little competition between students to be better than each other. I have found that this produces a healthier environment and that people are generally happy for each other and support one another’s academic and personal endeavors. Likewise, I live in large part through the experiences of my friends. I am happier when my friends are doing well. I love to watch them prosper and will ultimately sacrifice my own happiness for theirs if it ever comes to it. I was raised to treat everyone like family ("Where I'm From" by Mike Scanlon - Moreau FYE Week Six), and so there is no price that is too high for me to pay to see the people I love succeed. I believe that giving and receiving love is the purpose of life. Whenever someone asks about the meaning of life, I always say love. At Notre Dame, I have experienced love everywhere I go, specifically in my dorm community. Living in Pangborn and being a part of the smallest men’s community on campus has been a blessing for all of us. We all talk about how beautiful it is that each of us knows the other 70 by name. I hate to see guys who will be talking with someone, ask what dorm they are in, and have them both be from the same dorm. In Pangborn, we know every last person who lives here. Each of us love each other and would sacrifice for each other without thinking twice. It is truly a special quality of our community which our rector instilled in us from the first day. Through our mutual love and respect for each other, each of us “will[s] the good of another” ("Faith Brings Light to a Dark World" by David Fagerberg - Moreau FYE Week Three), showing how our faith and love persist outside of our building via our slogan “Go and Do Likewise.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&list=PLmiPsabET-W_hjesjTZaITh2s1WbM-Kd0&index=3 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28311/modules/items/105574 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28311/modules/items/105511 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HBvFbAPrlDlP2mvCOed4gV-XskarTrpYWvZ9UEYjzkA/edit?usp=sharing https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/belief/faith-brings-light-to-dark-world/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau https://grottonetwork.com/keep-the-faith/belief/faith-brings-light-to-dark-world/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau