American Dream Revisited

I realize that I have already posted in response to the "What is the American Dream" prompt, and I know that this may never even be read by anyone, but I cannot stop thinking about it and wanted to get it out there. And besides, whats a blog for anyways, but I digress. The other day, upon completion of what I thought was a very acceptable answer as to what I thought the American dream was, I put on my headphones to escape from reality and something struck me. It was "Song for the Suburbs" by Ben Rector. I have liked the song since I got the CD months ago, but I never really listened to the words until they became relevant to me. The song begins by saying "This American Dream is/ Not what it seems/ Maybe we're still breathing/ but we're all asleep." This brought to light for me that the word "dream" in its most literal and basic understanding to me is just that; a dream. Dreams are what we have when the harsh reality of life scares us into thinking what we have isn't good enough. And then I heard towards the end of the song the verse "If this dream is what your after/ Then Dreaming is where you'll stay." Dreams as we see them are limitless, and to put a cap on our dreams is only limiting our chances for happiness and success in life. Dreams are had, goals are accomplished. I believe it is important to have a dream, don't get me wrong, but goals are the things we wish for and strive to make happen. Dreams are the things reality can't foster. As the song goes; "I want to live, until I die" and this is what has been resonating with me so frequently since the last post. Life is meant for living. If all we ever do is sit in the present and hope for a better future, then the time we have now is lost forever. I say a dream is good, have a dream, but don't make the accomplishment of that dream the sole basis for your happiness. Set goals and work to attain them, but more importantly than all that, live your life the way you want. It is yours, and you only get one. Don't limit yourself, just BE yourself. In retrospect I suppose that is what our modern version of this American way of living is. We have that freedom, the freedom to be whoever we want to be, and do whatever we want to do. So from now on I am done working towards what society thinks is my "dream." I am who I am and knowing that I have the freedom to do with that what I wish is my American dream.