The American Dream

The American Dream has allowed me to make a living as an artist for nearly six years. If you work hard for something, you will succeed, that is the American Dream. Now I am finding as time goes by success is measured by so much more than money although money is a large part of the American Dream. The classic rags to riches is a staple to everyone, but now I find the real American Dream is the pursuit of happiness and the journey to success.

Outside these usual cliche you'll find most of the common folks I know. The teachers, the students, the lawyers, and mechanics; they want the American Dream, they are the American Dream. I wanted to know what they consider the American Dream so I talk to a friend and colleague named Ryan Pittman who woks in the service industry. He had the same inspirational jargon that most think of when asked about the Dream of America, he then pause and looked truly inspired. As his eyes perked up he began to say that is son is the American Dream. I began to think that another "our youth, our future" speech was coming, when I remembered that his son was adopted after a long trying process. He explained that a place where a family that can't have children can adopt a child in need of a home is truly the American Dream. This was what I was looking for when I asked, a true life Dream come true.

So yes I can appreciate the memorable speech of a great leader or the history making athlete thanking the press for his opportunities in this great country, but ask your neighbor or boss what their American Dream is, you might be pleasantly surprised.