Integration Two- Strength and Growth comes from Effort and Struggle Prompt: What have I encountered and how will I respond? I believe that from an early age I have encountered different perspectives, experiences and challenges that have shaped me to be the person I am today. Today, our society faces many deep seated issues such as segregation and systemic racism, but how we respond to them can change our society and us as individuals. As encapsulated by the Klau Centre Archive on Race “The story of race has many voices. Understanding it begins with listening. Every testament is a statement of personal truth. And each must be heard as part of a larger story“. (“With Voice True Snapshot Summary” by Klau Centre Archive on Race- Moreau FYE Week 11) As illustrated in the video, the story of race has diverse and different perspectives and cannot truly be understood without listening to them. In order to truly grasp the issues and the harsh realities associated with our society, we need to listen to people’s voices and their stories and experiences. From a young age, switching schools and meeting people and having friends from different ethnicities, races and backgrounds in different high schools, I had never understood how big the issue of segregation of backgrounds was. But, every time I hear statistical evidence, I truly understand the systemic racism and segregation of races in our society. We must understand that by listening to their testament and looking into their lives through these personal truths and experiences, we enable change to take place. I believe that all of us face such challenges in society and that we must stay strong through these challenges, helping one another through each situation by listening and taking due consideration. From a young age, my parents and family would always pass down the idea that struggle makes you stronger but I would often find myself confused by this idea as I would think to myself, “what if you get demotivated by the obstacles in your path?”. “How must you respond to challenges without being demotivated by them”. As time progressed, I faced a variety of challenges: societal and academic pressure all closing in on me at once. Very often I would find myself daunted by such situations, but as time progressed I learned to have a positive outlook over challenges that knocked me down. I believe that there is no best method to tackle challenges. Obstacles, while troublesome, will teach you the importance of perseverance and understanding how to deal with uncertainty. I believe that we must embrace the good, the bad and the ugly and use those experiences to mold ourselves to be stronger and better. As Kirsten expresses in her article, “people should know that their hearts are breakable, and it’s a very good thing that it’s worth celebrating because it allows you to grow and expand. And you get to put your heart back together.”(“Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop” by Kirsten Helgeson- Moreau FYE Week 10) Through this quote, Kirsten Helgeson shows us that our hearts being broken is absolutely fine. She tries to normalize brokenness through challenges, so that people are able to overcome their pain without feeling ashamed or embarrassed, but understanding that it’s part of life. She illustrates through the quote that we can actually grow as https://voicestrue.nd.edu https://voicestrue.nd.edu https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ a person from being broken by challenges. This can be through better mental health from getting out of a toxic relationship, stronger bonds of relationship or can serve as a motivator by channeling the painful memories to do something better. Further, she shows us that we can actually put our heart together and develop as a person by improving on our weaknesses and flaws and learning not to repeat the same mistakes. I have been fortunate enough to have parents who have not imposed expectations on me but have always encouraged me to do the best I can. However, in India, I have noticed that children often try to live up to expectations imposed on them by society and parents to be perfect, mainly academically, which can cause these kids to experience burnout, depression and a feeling of being a failure when encountered by an obstacle they cannot overcome. From my experiences, I have learnt that forcing yourself to be society’s expectations can negatively affect you and can make you lose your authenticity. “Remember that none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes. We will disappoint people. We’ll disappoint ourselves. But the world doesn’t have to end when that happens.”(“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan- Moreau FYE Week 9) This quote from the article from the Grotto written by Julie Hogan was eye- opening and one that I resonate with deeply. Julie Hogan tries to show us that we don’t need to create and fulfill expectations imposed on us by society and make it our end goal, but we must aim to do the best we can. While everyone has expectations and goals for you, at the end it is your choice of what you want to do, in the best way you can. Lastly, Julia leaves us with a message that when we let go of these expectations that burden us, we can grow as a person and be authentic to what we stand for. By letting go of these expectations we can respond to things we encounter in our life more calmly and easily and can respond to these situations with a “go for it” ideology. I believe that along with keeping my families’ ideologies of how to tackle challenges and keeping a positive attitude, faith also plays an important role in how I respond to challenges and what I encounter in my life. When I was a young boy, I would often find myself having conflicting ideas and thoughts about the existence of God as I thought if I could not see him, he didn’t exist. But, as time progressed and I faced different adversities, I found myself turning towards my faith for hope and a possible solution. As time progressed, my ideas on God changed as I started to believe in his existence more and I started to put God in the center of my life. As I have started to put God in the center, I have learned to encounter different things life throws at me with hope. When faced with adversities or when I find myself worried, I turn to God and find solace in the idea that God will make sure I will be able to do what I am destined for. “As long as he lives on earth periods of emotional and bodily richness and liveliness will alternate with periods of numbness and poverty.”(“The Screwtape Letters, chapter 8” by C. S Lewis- Moreau FYE Week 12) The quote written by C. S Lewis perfectly encapsulates how we can be hopeful in our life even when our journey of life may be undulating. Lewis tells us about how we may https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28308/files/189486/download?download_frd=1 encounter different adversities and have our ups and downs in our life, but we must put God in the center and let him guide the way he paved for us. In my experience here at Notre Dame I have faced many challenges and adapted to a different environment. These challenges can come from having a different accent, pronouncing some words differently or not relating to certain parts of American culture such as big christmas celebrations or watching football over the weekend. However, my family’s ideology of “struggle makes you stronger” has taught me not to be bogged down by such situations and to embrace the different cultures. Combined with a positive attitude, I believe that our differences can be used to show our unique experiences as an engaging way to make conversation and provide different perspectives to people. I believe that to respond to these encounters, we have to understand that people may not have experienced what you may have. Therefore to allow them to relate to you, you must explain yourself and be patient. Further, I believe that by listening to other people’s challenges, showing empathy and allowing all voices to be heard we can help respond to different encounters and situations effectively. Apart from having challenges here at Notre Dame, I have also encountered a great set of diverse and different minded people and friends who have guided me through their culture and taken me in like their family. I have learned that while being different and diverse, we can relate with others on a personal level through experiences. I have also encountered a great group of friends who have introduced me to their family and trusted me with their secrets and challenges. I believe that by adapting to a different environment and culture and going through this process one step at a time has allowed me to respond effectively to these encounters while staying whole during the procedure. Ultimately, I believe that each individual has their own way of responding to things they encounter in their life. I believe that with a positive attitude, mental strength and hope we can overcome anything that we encounter in life.