The American Dream

The American Dream, that has lured tens of millions of all nations to our shores in the past century has not been a dream of material plenty, though that has doubtlessly counted heavily. It has been a dream of being able to grow to fullest development as a man and woman, unhampered by the barriers which had slowly been erected in the older civilizations, unrepressed by social orders which had developed for the benefit of classes rather than for the simple human being of any and every class. - James Truslow Adams.

The American Dream is the opportunity to self-actualize.  Today the American Dream is realized.  There were great eras of reform that proceeded over decades and centuries to allow our country to arrive at the point it has reached today.  We must strive to preserve the current state we have been fortunate to reach and continue to allow our society to progress towards this actualization.  

Traditional thinking in success; whether business, athletics, education, politics or government, treats change as unusual rather than normal. We do not want to be the horse and buggy driver facing the onset of the automobile.  Today change is inevitable.  The only path to true success is understanding that what currently is a competitive advantage will at some point become obsolete.   We must prepare ourselves for change and seek new ways to progress mankind towards its potential. 

I have a feeling things are going to be getting quite interesting in the world.  Being American used to mean something to our people.  Being part of something greater than the world had ever experienced previously.  Something revolutionary.  Something about people struggling through rough times, poverty, war, and despair to emerge victorious and triumphant.  I hope it still does!