Integration 2 Integration Moreau 12/3 What has Allowed me to Grow at ND In my first iteration, I explained how I wanted to be remembered as a person while at Notre Dame. I touched on what has shaped me before arriving here at Notre Dame. My family is what has shaped me and allowed me to become who I am today. Now that I am away from my family and more independent, I need to see how my first summer and fall at Notre Dame have changed me for the better. In week 9, we discussed imposter syndrome and how this affects so many people regardless of age, race, background, etc. Imposter Syndrome is the idea of doubting yourself and your ability compared to others. This is something that if I do not keep a close eye on could affect me. Playing football at Notre Dame and going to school with other very intelligent people often makes me want to compare myself to them. I sometimes feel that I have to be almost perfect in everything that I do. That is why I think this quote is so important: "The common thread in all of these examples is that these individuals believe they must be perfect and that they must live up to the expectations of others (and themselves)" (“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan - Moreau FYE Week Nine ). Living up to expectations and being perfect is something that I am trying to do in my life. I need to be careful that this isn’t only what I focus on in life. Having a dad who played in the NFL for 13 years created a lot to live up to. If I focused too much on the big picture and compared myself to him, I would destroy my confidence. Instead, I focus very hard on taking football one day at a time. I focus on taking one thing in my game to improve every day and play. This allows me to focus on what is at hand now rather than the future or compare myself to my father. I focus on just worrying about my https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau grades and how I need to improve and learn in school. I know that I am not the smartest kid here, but that doesn't mean I can't work to try to be the smartest version of myself. That is what drives me every day in the classroom. In football, school, and life, it isn't about comparing myself to others; instead, it focuses on becoming better at one thing every day. In week 10, the thing that I focused on the most was the idea of hatred and division in this country. I believe that we are currently living in one of the most divided United States since the Civil War. On both sides, they think that they are right and the other is drastically wrong. Everyone focuses directly on their differences, and they struggle to find similarities in their beliefs. This is where I believe faith can play an important role. This quote to me stood out: "I believe your faith can have a transforming effect on the world." (“National Cathedral” by McAllister-Wilson - Moreau FYE Week Ten). Faith allows there to be a common ground. I know that there are multiple different forms of religion worldwide, but the majority live by the golden rule. That is to treat others how you want to be treated. If we can all grow closer to our faith and what we believe in, that will allow us to treat each other with more respect and enable the division and hatred to turn into unity and love, just like most religions call for. Also, if we realize that there can be differences in our views but that doesn’t need to create division and hate. This relates to because I need to focus on allowing my faith to lead my words and actions. If I can live according to my faith, it will allow me to be a symbol of unity for others and an area for common ground. In week 11, we discussed community and the effect it plays on people. Community is the ability to be a part of something. We need human interaction with others, and that is where the community is most important. The quote that stood out to me the most was: “We cultivate a capacity for connectedness through contemplation”(“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ by Parker Palmer - Moreau FYE Week 11. ). We need the community so we can ask questions and bounce ideas off of each other. This allows not only us as individuals to grow but also as societies to grow. The community that I would say I am most deeply connected to is the football team, specifically in the Offensive Line group. We have a brotherhood and bond like something I have never been a part of. I know that I can trust everyone in my position room to have my back and know that I have there. That allows me to ask questions and be vulnerable because I trust them to not make fun of me or spread things that I say. This allows us as a group to have a strong respect for one another and allows us to play better because the trust that happens in conversation translates to the field. That is why I think everyone needs to be a part of some form of community. It creates confidence and trust for people that they can’t find anywhere else. In week 12, we discussed hope and what that means to each of us. Hope is rooted in my faith. In class, I know we had a very long discussion about what hope is. For me, hope is rooted in my faith and has a more significant meaning than a day-by-day want or result. Hope is rooted in God and the scripture that he has revealed to us. This quote reflects that: “His love for men, and His service being perfect freedom, is not mere propaganda, but an appalling truth” (“Screw Tape Letters” by C.S. Lewis - Moreau FYE Week 12). My faith isn’t just something that I want to happen, or maybe it is the truth. I know that what I have been taught through my faith and scripture is accurate and that I must listen and try to live by these examples and rules given to me. Hope is essential when it comes to going to heaven. Hope at that point is that I hope that I lived the best life according to my faith and teachings to go to heaven and be saved. Overall, I have grown in two important ways since being at Notre Dame. The two areas I would categorize them is faith and football. My faith has grown by trusting in God and hoping for the best future. It has also grown by allowing it to become more independent and based on https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28308/pages/introduction-to-week-12-encountering-hope?module_item_id=106237 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28308/pages/introduction-to-week-12-encountering-hope?module_item_id=106237 my practices and beliefs. In football, I have grown through trusting the process one day at a time and having the brotherhood to fall back on with any problems.