Life well lived

me happy,” we say, “I want to do what makes you happy.” Instead of egocentric, true love is othercentric. It calls us to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others.

I am aware that this description of love goes against the grain of modern, utilitarian, selfserving conceptions of love. b ut how are those modern ideas of love and happiness working out? We have the means to satisfy our desires, but are we happy? r esearch says that, in general, our societies are unhappy. Indeed, happiness does not stem from satisfaction — it comes from connection.

m odern love seeks to satisfy egocentric desires, but this eternal, radical love seeks to connect human beings in other-centric relationships. True love joins us together, and it does so for all people.

s o, how do we go about living a life of love? h ow can we live up to the commandment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … [and to] love your neighbor as yourself” ( m atthew 22:37-38).

I appreciate the insight from clinical psychologist h elen s chucman, who said that “your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it” (“A c ourse in m iracles,” p. 338). Allow me to suggest two values that can help us find and remove those barriers to love: mercy and wonder. First, our love should be merciful. The sun shines on both the good and the bad. o ur love should likewise be unconditional. We should love with mercy, even when it feels hard. o ur love should also be curious. We should seek to understand, and we should not assume. We should listen to others and love without hesitation, without judgment, always willing the good of that person. s eek to “do everything in love” (1 c orinthians 16:14). Let love be your teacher. d esire the good of the other. m ight I suggest two concrete steps to practice this love?

Meditate

Try a 10-minute mindfulness meditation. Allow yourself to find a comfortable position. Anchor your awareness to the breath. Pay attention to the rising and falling of your chest or abdomen. Feel the coolness of the air as you inhale and the warmth as you exhale. n ow, as you focus on the breath, thoughts, images, emotions and other sensations will invariably arise. Pay attention to what comes up with non-judgmental curiosity. That is, be merciful to yourself and wonder about the contents of your consciousness. The point of this meditation is not primarily to feel more at peace (though that may happen), but rather to become more in tune with the patterns of your mind and heart. Try meditating every day and see what happens.

Give

Try to give some part of yourself (time, money, talent, etc.) to another person to make them better off. This could be listening (without judging) to a friend, donating to a charity or volunteering. The point is that you do something not for yourself, but for another. Paradoxically, as you give yourself away, you may become more fulfilled. As you pour out your love on others, love will continue to fill you up. Try bringing a smile to someone’s face and see how that feels.

m any of us here at n otre d ame want to do something or give something up for Lent. Try love. Try the eternal love that connects and sustains. Try the radical love that offers up the gift of sacrifice. This is the love of God. When we love others as God loves us, we love absolutely and unconditionally. When we love this way, we transcend the limited self and participate in the infinite divine. When we love like this, then we are happy.

Joey Jegier is a senior at Notre Dame studying philosophy, ESS and German. He enjoys coffee, conversation and taking time to be still (when possible). Areas of interests include mysticism, education and discernment. Joey loves the city of South Bend and regularly visits the farmers market, his only source of milk and eggs. He would love to chat about anything and can be reached at jjegier2@nd.edu.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

By ANNA FALK scene Writer

I’ve seen U2 in concert three times. o nce at Acrisure stadium (formerly heinz Field) in Pittsburgh, once at the United c enter in c hicago and once at the metLife stadium in e ast r utherford. While my attendance was largely based on the fact that my parents are giant fans and I wasn’t old enough to stay at home, I can still say I’ve grown quite fond of the Irish rockers.

Knowing this, imagine my surprise when I found out b ono’s son had a band of his own.

In the spring of 2020, my sister and I sat in our 2009 gold honda Accord (named r udy) while we waited in the starbucks drive-thru line. s he asked if she could play something for me (to which I agreed), and she turned on “my honest Face,” the first single from Inhaler’s debut LP. It rocked my world, and I’ve continued to listen to the band as they’ve gathered a devoted following.

With their new album, “c uts & bruises,” I did what I always do when a band I like releases new music — I avoided it like the plague. Unless something comes along to force me to listen to a new album or song, I try to forget about it so I won’t be disappointed if it turns out bad.

b ut Inhaler’s second LP, released on Feb. 17, is anything but bad. s ome tracks are better than others by a mile, but the album as a whole shows that they’ve beat the sophomore slump and are on their way to greater success.

The d ublin quartet — e lijah “e li” hewson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), r obert “b obby” Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (lead guitar) and r yan mc m ahon (drums) — wrote much of “c uts & b ruises” while on tour for their 2021 debut, “It Won’t Always b e Like This.” The beginning half of the record sounds like it would fit perfectly in an early-2000s teen rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan, e mma r oberts or Amanda b ynes. It features introspective verses and uplifting choruses backed by resounding pop-rock instrumentation. Featuring the album’s singles, this half is good, but it lacks any innovation or flair.

When I listened to the LP before, I stopped before the second half. This was a terrible decision. o nce the eerie backing vocals of “Perfect storm” commence, the course of the album takes a turn for the better.

“d ublin in e cstasy” is a long-time fan favorite and cult classic of the band. They’ve played it live since their teenage years and made the decision to release it officially. “The Things I d o” features an insanely groovy beat that resonates with the soul. “now You Got me” is a perfect closer with a riff from Keating that’s worth obsessing over.

What I think makes these songs stand out in particular is how hewson uses his voice. The 22 year old sounds a lot like his dad when he was young, and fans of both Inhaler and U2 are reminded of this with each new release. “c uts & bruises” is an album reflecting on love and loss, the good days and the bad, feeling like you’re on top of the world and being down in the dumps. The first half mainly reflects those happy and nostalgic moments, while the second mainly reflects the ones you’d rather not suffer through. I do, in fact, enjoy happy music, but I think the lyrically and instrumentally-expressed vulnerability of the second half brings out a certain power in hewson’s voice.

This LP shows a promising future for the group and it’s one that’s currently unfolding, as they were recently announced as support for Arctic monkeys and h arry styles’ upcoming e uropean tours. They’ve certainly got the guts to change the music world, and I think they’ll continue to evolve miraculously despite all the cuts and bruises.

Contact Anna Falk at afalk@nd.edu

“Cuts and Bruises”

Artist: Inhaler

Label: Polydor

Favorite tracks: “Perfect Storm,” “Dublin in Ecstasy,” “The Things I Do”

If you like: Sam Fender, Wallows

By NICOLE BILYAK scene Writer

American actress and famed sex symbol r aquel Welch passed away after a brief illness on Feb. 15, 2023 at the age of 82. Welch was well-known for many films in the 1960s and had quite an illustrious career in the film industry, so it seems only reasonable to commemorate Welch’s life by taking a look at her early days and career.

b orn on s ept. 5, 1940 in c hicago, Welch eventually moved with her family to s an d iego, where she studied ballet until she left the ballet academy at the age of 17. After graduating from high school, Welch married her high school sweetheart, James Welch, and went on to work as a weather presenter, since her family and television duties were too demanding on her.

In 1963, Welch finally connected with Patrick c urtis, who became her personal and business manager. They both planned on turning Welch into a sex symbol. o ne year later, Welch was cast in many small roles in projects like “roustabout” and “b ewitched.” she made her first featured appearance in 1965 in a film called “A s wingin’ summer.” she then won the d eb Award that same year for a photo in Life m agazine — this photo created buzz around town. she was given a seven-year, nonexclusive contract with 20th c entury Fox where the executives tried to convince her to change her name, but she vehemently refused. she appeared in her first Fox film, “Fantastic voyage,” where she played a woman on a medical team who is miniaturized and injected into a scientist to save his life. It became a huge success and made Welch a star.

Fox lended Welch to h ammer studios, one of the most famous genre film companies from the United Kingdom. she starred in “o ne m illion Years b c .,” which made Welch even more of a sex symbol with her outfit of a two-piece, deer-skin bikini. This bikini was her only costume in the entire film, and she only had three lines. While the film was censored for provocative dancing and moments of graphic violence, the film became a hit and made Welch a bigger star.

After “o ne m illion Years b c .,” Welch went on to star in many international projects including shortly after working at 20th c entury Fox, Welch went on to film an adaptation of Alexandre d umas’ “The Three musketeers” in 1973, which awarded Welch her first Golden Globe nomination for her performance as c onstance b onacieux. she garnered so much attention — and the film was such a massive success — that a sequel came out a year later called “The Four musketeers.”

“Fathom,” which was released in 1967, along with “b edazzled,” which is a retelling of the Faust legend. The film was set in s winging London during the 1960s, and the film later got a 2000 remake starring brendan Fraser.

Welch had been married a total of four times and had two children. s he married her manager c urtis in 1967, but divorced him in 1972. After her fourth divorce in 2004, Welch elected to not be in any more relationships.

In conclusion, Welch had a lot of success in the 1960s and 1970s in the film industry, and she will be missed by those who were fans of her films.

Contact Nicole Bilyak at nbilyak01@saintmarys.edu

By CAITLIN BRANNIGAN scene Writer

It has almost been 20 years since the formation of the rock band Paramore. s ince then, the band has produced hits spanning across a variety of genres, from pop-punk to new wave. Popular new artists like o livia r odrigo and Willow s mith have been influenced by Paramore’s cutting yet dreamlike sound.

The band is currently made up of lead vocalist h ayley Williams, drummer Zac Farro and guitarist Taylor York, although other members have left and rejoined over the years. After a wildly successful tour in fall 2022, they’ve released their newest album “This is Why,” which debuted at n o. 2 on the b illboard 200 this week.

The album is an emotional rollercoaster in its lyrics and its wide range of sound, reflecting the anxieties of living in a post- cov I d world. The title track, “This is Why,” grieves the public failure to set aside differences and solve society’s socioeconomic problems even after communally enduring a global struggle. It begins with soft, taunting strums of the guitar, ironically telling listeners that “If you have an opinion, maybe you should shove it.” The chorus swells in volume, a jagged guitar instrumental accompanying lyrics halfdespairing, half-raging over the current state of society.

As a whole, the album captures a wide range of the paranoia and unsettling anxiety of adulthood and living in a post-pandemic world. “The n ews” encapsulates the distressing experience of acknowledging all the terrible things happening in the world, even those that don’t directly affect the listeners. The very first word of the song is “war,” communicating strongly and effectively the song’s hopeless tone. The instrumental of the chorus sounds somewhat dreamy, but the lyrics declare that one can “shut your eyes, but it won’t go away.” m y favorite track of the album, “ b ig m an, Little d ignity,” has a dreamlike, slow pace relative to other songs on the album. It’s the kind of song I would put on a playlist for walking around one of the campus lakes. The steady guitar melody and softness of the vocals are relaxing and offer a break from the torrent of emotions in the rest of the album. It gives the listener space to reflect, whether that be on the difficult issues the other songs confront or anything else they may have on their mind. d espite this, it has its own powerful message to share. Though the lyrics leave room for interpretation, they describe people in power who are perceived as morally sound but really are incredibly corrupt, again echoing disappointment in modern societal structures.

Paramore’s return to music making with “This is Why” is incredibly exciting. The album both shares a strong and important message and offers a mix of well executed pop-punk and rock sounds. e ven after two decades, Paramore’s still got magic.

Contact Caitlin Brannigan at cbrannig@nd.edu

“This is Why”

Artist: Paramore

Label: Atlantic Records

Favorite tracks: “Big Man, Little Dignity,” “Running out of Time,” “This is Why”

By ROSE ANDROWICH scene Writer

When I first heard about the student run cafe, off the Avenue (oTA), opening in spes Unica, one of the classroom buildings at saint mary’s, I was excited, to say the least. The cafe opened on monday, much to the excitement of the saint mary’s college community. The hard work of the students who founded and now run the cafe is one of many reasons to go there.

There was a lot I enjoyed at oTA. First, I love the cafe’s convenient location. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have three classes in spes Unica, and two of the classes are back to back. I’ve rushed to 1844 cafe more times than I can count to get coffee. This frequently results in me arriving late to poetry class. now, with the cafe’s proximity to my classrooms, I can frequently stop for coffee and not be late to class.

In addition to the convenience of the cafe, the overall space is wonderful. It provides a study space for students along with their coffee. The decorations and the thought that was put into the space enhance the overall experience. There is also a terrace right outside the cafe equipped with tables to enjoy outside. The customer service is also exceptional.

The founders’ attention to detail with off the Avenue extends to the menu. The cafe features both specialty drinks like skunk Tails (coffee with mocha and white chocolate) and cinnamon squirrels (cinnamon, honey and vanilla), with cappuccinos and lattes coming down the line. I tried the cinnamon squirrel, the skunk tail and their cold brew coffee with cinnamon syrup. my favorite drink was the skunk Tail coffee because of the flavors used. The combination of mocha and white chocolate was good with the black coffee. While I enjoyed the skunk Tail, I found myself on the fence in regards to the other drinks. The combination of the flavors in the cinnamon squirrel was a bit overwhelming, and I found myself unsure about the trifecta of cinnamon, honey and vanilla. The skunk Tail used two flavors that enhanced each other. The white chocolate had a more subtle tone than the mocha. In contrast, the cinnamon squirrel felt like a battle between the cinnamon and the vanilla. When I tried the cold brew coffee, drinking it with solely cinnamon made the experience more enjoyable than drinking the c innamon squirrel. cinnamon and vanilla are both strong flavors on their own, which made me question the combination. In addition to the cinnamon and vanilla, there was also honey, which made the drink taste almost like tea.

The cinnamon squirrel was very sweet, and I personally enjoy bitter coffee. I think the drinks currently served at off the Avenue would be highly enjoyable for a new coffee drinker who may not like the bitter taste of coffee. After five years of drinking coffee, however, I have a clear perspective on how I like my coffee, and the drinks the cafe is serving currently don’t match my taste. I really look forward to seeing drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos become available. more availability in their menu would broaden the reach of the business. off the Avenue has a lot of creativity in their strategy, though, and I love seeing a student-run business on campus.

Contact Rose Androwich at randrowich01@saintmarys.edu

Off the Avenue

Location: Spes Unica at Saint Mary’s College

Drinks: Coffee, tea

Favorite drink: Skunk Tail

Happy Birthday: Be discreet, secretive and change only what’s necessary. Consider how to make your life less stressful. Concentrate on physical adjustments that add convenience to your everyday routine. Create opportunities instead of waiting for someone to step in and tell you what to do next. By taking control, you will eliminate opposition and reach your goal without interference. A trendy new look will boost your confidence. your numbers are 3, 16, 24, 29, 35, 37, 40.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a break and rethink your strategy before you make a mistake. A proposal will mislead you; ask questions. Be specific about your responsibilities and what others expect of you. Staying active will help you avoid making impulsive moves.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Mix business with pleasure to get along better with your colleagues. Don’t let the changes you encounter discourage you from following your heart. Compensate for anything that disrupts your day or plans, and keep moving forward.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): get involved in something you believe in or feel you can contribute to and make a difference. first, however, eliminate dealing with anyone trying to take advantage of you. handle business, get things done on time and avoid controversy.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Sign up for a class, event or activity that will allow you to use your imagination. A discussion with someone who shares your concerns will lead to a change that will make a difference at work or in your circle of friends.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Be receptive. What you learn will give you hope and revive your interest and ability to fight for what you want. Take the steps required to turn what you know and do well into a lucrative outlet. Self-improvement and relationship opportunities are apparent.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Tkeep your eye on the market and invest wisely. Discuss your plans with an expert. An offer will pique your interest, but until you get all the facts and figures, you should keep your money in the bank and observe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stand up and be counted. Speak freely, follow through and be willing to do the work yourself. run the show instead of sitting in the audience. Show your worth, and set guidelines for those who show interest in your plans. romance is encouraged.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The response you receive from sharing your intentions will give you a push to make your next move. A partnership looks exciting but is unlikely to pan out if you refrain from delegating who’s responsible for what before you begin.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): TWhat you contribute will make a difference at home. get everyone you care about involved, and a closer bond will develop that encourages you to make positive lifestyle changes moving forward. follow through with your plans; success will unfold.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Emotional situations will confuse you. keep your thoughts to yourself until you gather the facts and fully understand the implications involved should you address issues prematurely. Bide your time, and you’ll discover what you want and how to proceed. An offer looks promising.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): lean on the experience you have to speed up the process of getting what you want. Don’t wait for someone to come along and do things for you. Believe in yourself and make things happen. A brilliant idea will lead to a cash infusion.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): hiding out at home will give you time to rearrange rooms to suit your needs. Don’t feel you have to conform to standard procedures when your ideas and plans are innovative and can help you reach your destination. Birthday Baby: you have speed, agility and technique. you are versatile and persistent.