Cian Moore, ‘16 Grad at Grad Reflection – A Loyola Student is Becoming More Loving
I’m sure that not many of you ever expected to see me standing up here, because I certainly did not. I almost said “no” to the invitation considering that our 10-page research paper was due on Tuesday and I had multiple art assignments, which I “have finished”. However, when I consulted a few of my classmates, after they got over the initial shock, they told me that I had to do it. I consider them to be trustworthy and honest people, so I assume that they wouldn't send me up here if I didn’t have something they wanted to hear, right…? Anyway, I began to reflect upon my experiences with love. I immediately came to the conclusion that love cannot be explained in a few hundred words, or defined by any dictionary. That’s great. I’m sure that you've heard that same explanation by many other speakers who have written about love, but it’s important to understand. Love is something far greater than a single relationship with a significant other. Love is sharing, showing you care, helping others out, and countless other selfless acts. Yet, before a loving saint immerses out of the depths of your soul, you need to learn to love yourself for who you, and understand what you stand for. For as long as I can remember, my parents have loved me unconditionally. They were both born and bred in small towns in Ireland where they grew up living a very simple life, but they were different than the other 40 framers and homemakers in their towns. They decided to move to New York in their early 20’s without knowing anyone here, not even each other. Often they recount how tough the first few years here were, not knowing anyone or having a lot money and so on. However, no matter how tough times got, they always kept their goals in sight, and a respectful attitude on. After knowing them for a few years, I have learned that they are more than people who are socially expected to provide for me, they are devoted, caring and real people. They have done a wonderful job raising me and instilling characteristics like respect, but most importantly they have taught me that staying true to who I am is essential to gain genuine happiness. The road to understanding who you are is a difficult one, but it is imperative to living a healthy and happy life. Relationships are very important, yet without understanding who you are it is hard to divulge your feelings with another person or to take care of another life. Little did I know, my road to finding out who I am began with the freshman retreat. One of the exercises asked about us to talk about our talents which I found very hard to do at the
time. As children we are taught not to brag about what we are good at, but rather do it, so trying to recognize a strength that you have can be very exhausting because it might be something that you do so often it goes unnoticed by your mind. Push yourself to reflect on your day and try to find the common denominator. It is important to find what you are good at because that’s a big part of who you are. At the beginning of last year, I took on a seemingly impossible task and started my own business. Obviously this took a lot of effort. I started the business purely as an experiment, to see if I would like it. I did and the business was quite successful, but that is beside the point. Starting my own company, learning the tricks of the trade, creating relationships with other business owners, helped me to appreciate my own creativity. At the end of last year I took a big step in a different direction on this road to find myself. I signed up for AP Art. I thought that I had made a mistake after I tried simply drawing something, but I soon found out that art was not just about formal lines. Throughout the course of the year this class has made me accept that I find freedom using creative techniques. I truly believe that the risk I took in taking this class is one of stepping stones in completing my road. Knowing more about myself has definitely made me happier. Not only is it a relief in regards to my future, but, like I said it would, it has allowed me love. My relationships are more full and authentic, because they have been formed by a real person. My good intentions for my peers and friends come from a place of deeper authenticity. I get more out of each hour I spend tutoring under privileged children at Hour Children. Their innocent and friendly attitudes help humble me and being humbled is a great thing to have happen to you. More importantly than anything, learning to love myself for who I am has helped me understand and appreciate all the love that people give me. One of the points of the Grad at Grad characteristic of being loving is that each student “has personally experienced God’s love.” This is one the school’s objectives for their graduates to have had as an experience at Loyola by the time of graduation. Through all of my theology courses, retreats, and reflections, I finally understand what God’s love is. God’s love is personified through the people around you, the people who love you. For me, those people are parents, my friends and family, and the occasional the New Yorker who will hold the door for me on the subway. Try to think about the people who love you. If they care for you, take care of you, consider you a companion, or do countless other
acts of kindness for you, then they love you and the feeling you get from that love is what is feels like to be loved by God. Thank you.