In a failing economy where people are having problems making ends meet, the American Dream is still alive.
People need something to believe in, even when their financial condition is on the downside. How many of us were raised to believe that if we go to school and work hard, we will enjoy the good life?
You parents wanted you to have a better life than they did. We all want that for our children. Are you really living better than your parents did? How is the American Dream today playing out for you and your family?
While it holds a different meaning for each of us, I’m sure we can all agree that we want a better, richer life with freedom and opportunity.
Recently, the Allstate National Journal poll reported on the economic climate in America. Here are the results of that. Is this the American Dream?
Financial situation:
- Fair or poor – 58 percent
- Excellent or good – 41 percent
- Getting by each month but hard to save money – 51 percent
- Have trouble making ends meet – 20 percent
- Live comfortably and save for retirement – 26 percent.
Where are you in these results? Is this what you want for your life or do you want more? Are you letting the current economy get you down or are you creating your own?
The American Dream and Land of Opportunity
Like so many others, I lived and played by the rules.
I went to school and worked hard for a Bachelor’s degree. I got a job in a corporation. The American Dream that I was living was typical but not fulfilling:
Get up while it was still dark. Get ready, get my young children ready. Drop the kids off at daycare. Sit in traffic on the freeway. Arrive at work. Sit in a cubicle for 8 to 10 hours. Drive home in traffic. Pick up the kids from daycare. Arrive home exhausted. Make dinner. Then, read stories to the kids, bath time and everyone go to bed!
Rinse and repeat!
Yikes! This was not the freedom I was hoping for in my life. It was more like living a nightmare where I rarely saw my kids.
Do you see what I am talking about here?
Life was supposed to be better living the American Dream as I was taught. But it was not.
The American Dream of True Freedom
Living the American Dream for me is now about the freedom to pursue my passion and make a living doing what I love most. My kids are grown now with families of their own and I regret all those years I spent believing in the traditional way of earning a living. That is, working hard for someone else and getting little in return.
When I discovered network marketing, I knew that was the path to true freedom and living the American Dream. I wish I knew then what I know now. On the upside, I get to spend time with my family now whenever I want to. I have the freedom to do that.
This is me realizing the American Dream now. Working in a profession where part of the mission is to bring wealth to the community.
Many people say the American Dream is dead. Believe me, it is alive and anyone can live it. You just need to make a choice about what you want in life.
Don’t let life pass you by working hard for someone else. Are you living the American Dream? What does it mean to you? Please leave a comment with your thoughts.
Really I think the American Dream is actually an inter-continental dream and that no matter where in this world you happen to be you want a better life. There is nothing wrong with wanting better. It is not being greedy.
That is the impression that people get, of me at least and no doubt everyone else, when you say you want to make money online with a business. They think you are just being plain greedy or simply do not want to work hard, and that is a terrible thing for people to think of you.
It is not being lazy to want to work in a different manner than others and it is not being greedy to desire an income that comes from working online.
Just before I finish my comment here is something that will show you just how bad the Economy is in some places in the world. I had my CV registered on a number of sites to help me get part time jobs to supplement my income. I had pretty much offered to do any kind of part time work just to keep a reliable and constant amount of money coming in. The other week I got an email saying that there are 23 Litter picker job CV writing specialists ready to help me improve my CV to enable me to get a job as a litter picker! Just how bad is the Economy when you cannot even get a job cleaning up garbage on the street without a great CV and presumably training and a certificate to go with it!?
As the worldwide Economy slumbers on hopefully more and more people will agree that the “American Dream” or whatever you wish to name it is something that you can feel free to admit to wanting to have or live without feeling ashamed about it.
Thanks Paul for your comment! You brought up some great points here and yes, I agree with you – it really is an inter-continental dream 🙂
Best, Lisa
To me, the American Dream is all about calling my own shots. It’s about doing what I want to do when I want to do it. I know I have to work for a living, but it will be on my own terms, building something for myself, not for someone else. I’ve been my own boss for 10 years now and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Chuck