Blog #2 The Dream, the Myth, the Legend....

Why do we believe in the American Dream?

For the longest time I thought the American Dream was simply the tried-and-true way to a successful life in America. Work hard, and you will reap the benefits. Isn't that how it works? I believed that the American Dream was rooted in factual cases of people who had stayed on the grind, and therefore been successful in their pursuits. But what I believed isn't entirely true. 

Not to say that there aren't real cases of people starting from nothing and achieving all theirs dreams, but these facts are not the main reason people believe so whole-heartedly in the American Dream. In the introduction to The American Dream in the 21st Century (2011), authors White and Hanson discuss how the American Dream is instilled in citizens beliefs the same way myths are. It states:

 "The fact is that the American Dream is deeply embedded in American mythology and in the consciousness of its citizens. That is exactly what gives the American Dream its staying power, even in times when it seems as though it should surely die," (7).

This section of the introduction is somewhat startling to someone who believed as I did before reading this anthology. White and Hanson are claiming that the American Dream is something we are taught to believe in, even though it is not always a reality. They present the idea that because it is a myth, Americans are devoted to it more than ever in situations where the dream seems most unachievable. This analysis shatters my belief that the roots of the American Dream were based of evidence. However, the positive side of what White and Hansen are saying is that people always have something to put faith in to, and that is why the American Dream is always kept alive. 

Despite my initial reaction to viewing the American Dream as a myth, I actually believe it is good thing. This way, people do not need to see evidence to believe in the dream. In fact, even when other's pursuits of the dream fail, another person's may be kept alive. When people try to convince you that your dreams aren't attainable through hard work, faith in the American Dream will help you persevere. 

I've heard people say to me, "It's not always about what you know, but who you know," and when I hear this my belief in the American Dream falters. The idea that I could study hard, be good at what I do, play by the rules, and yet still not reach my potential for success completely goes against the principles of the American Dream. 

However, I have always kept believing in it. That is why it's okay the American Dream is a myth. That does not mean you can't make it a reality. It just means it is important to have faith in it, even when it may not seem worth it. 

Blog #1 Dreaming of a Life of My Own

From the time I was old enough to think about what I wanted to do with my life, my father taught me that it was important to be able to provide for myself. "The only person you can count on to take of you in this world is you- well, and me," he used to tell me. His American Dream was to live a comfortable life; one where he didn't have to worry about money. On the other hand, my mother taught me that it was more important to find my passion. She believed that simply finding a job to make good money would never be fulfilling for me. Her dream was to do what makes her happy everyday. I saw the importance in each of these views on life, and my American Dream was born out of my desire to marry these ideas.

My American Dream is to discover my passion in life, and be able to used that passion to provide for myself. I don't want to have to worry about money, but I believe it is more important to be happy. Without happiness what is the point of going to the same old job everyday?  I've seen people with a stable job, but a lack of passion for what they do. They seem like they have it all; like they've achieved their American Dream, but there is a sense of happiness missing from their life that they sometimes don't even know they're missing. However, I've seen overly passionate people, too. Those who can't give up on their dreams, no matter the cost. Eventually the stress of not being able to provide for themselves drains a good amount of their happiness too. I refuse to be stuck at a job I hate, or to even settle for a career that doesn't truly interest me, but in order to truly grasp the American Dream I know I need to provide for myself in the long run.

Volunteering at the North Bay Heart Walk.

I started volunteering at hospitals as a junior in high school, and I saw some horrible things. People in so much pain they couldn't even move. People who had been in bike accidents, or fallen off of roofs, or people who had tried to take their own lives. When I saw these people so desperate for help, and the emergency room nurses who came to their aid, I knew I had found my passion. I am passionate about helping people, healing people. Helping people in need was what was going to make me happy in life. I soon realized that a career in nursing would allow me to pursue my passion and provide for myself. Nursing would give me the opportunity to explore different ways to help people, while building a stable career. It's the best of both worlds for me; it's the foundation of my dream. I am just starting on my pathway to nursing, but I have the first part of my dream done. I know my passion. Now I start on making the second part of my dream a reality by going to nursing school.