Where is the American Dream?

by Anita S. Lane

In October 2004, the Detroit Free Press conducted a special report entitled “Anger in America.” One of the reasons cited for this anger is friction resulting from the rapid pace of movement and change in our country. Perhaps.

But why do I think Americans are angry?

Americans are angry because Americans are stressed. Americans are driven by their desire to achieve the "American Dream." The problem is they keep falling short. Most view the American Dream in terms of wealth and riches. Yet it is very difficult to achieve the amount of wealth and riches most starry-eyed young people dream about. The reality is that there are very few Americans who are actually that wealthy anyway. But popular media over-saturates our minds with images of riches and "having it all" which can result in inner turmoil for those of us that don't see through the smoke screen.

For those of us who do see more clearly, there is something to be said about our current economic times. If you are not a savvy business owner and you're depending on employers to make your living, it is a precarious time in America. The constant struggle of working and not being able to "get ahead" is a very deep source of stress for most Americans that impacts every area of their lives—their self esteem, interpersonal relationships, relationships with the children, etc.

Americans are angry because they are discontent with themselves. They wish they could be smarter, stronger, better educated, more attractive--you name it. The real problem is we're allowing media and other outside sources define the American Dream for us.

So what do I propose is the American Dream? The American Dream is the ability to freely practice and express one's religious beliefs. The American Dream is the ability to utilize one's God-given gifts and talents, pursue one's passion, work hard, and realize the fruit of one's labor. The American Dream is the ability to pass along one's values to their children and help their children pursue goals and aspirations without governmental interference. The American Dream is to be able to come home at night, eat dinner with the ones you love and go to bed in peace, knowing your home will not be obtrusively uprooted from you.

If more of us thought of the American Dream in more fundamental terms we would realize that the American Dream is not afar off. We are living it. Yet we're too brainwashed to realize it and we cause ourselves undue stress as a result. Our disappointment with where we are in life and what we "don't have" leads to bitterness and anger.

Wake up America! Stop focusing on what you don't have and value what you do have. All the elements of the American Dream are right inside of you.

Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane