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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The American Dream
Think about the views expressed today as we explored Forbes.com's collection. Who did you find yourself most closely identifying with? Which view of the American Dream spoke most clearly to you? Why?
I want to have all of what I need (a companion, house, car, job, food), and a little of what I simply desire (a giant shower, a fancy computer, etc.). I don't want excess, I just want contentedness.
Ironically enough, Chuck Norris. He actually has a brain in there! He believes that anyone can achieve the American Dream and that it is happiness, not material things. I agree with this. Anyone who has the incentive and motive to do something, can. That's the beauty of America! We have those freedoms. Dreams are open to anyone who will work for them. Not everyone will go through the same trials to get there, but anyone can.
I agreed a lot with Chuck Norris. He emphasized that the American Dream is not about money or possesions, but about true happiness. Money and wealth constantly change, but the things God gave us never change. I have always felt that there is more to life than money. Chuch Norris expressed these ideas very well.
I found myself agreeing with Chuck Norris. I know thats odd because when people think of Chuck Norris they think of the corny jokes about him, but supprisingly he had very wise opinions. He basically believes that the American Dream is not the pursuit of materialistic things, and is much more than fulfilling our own dreams, doing what we want, and feeling good. It's about making a positive impact on the planet using our God given talent. Chuck said, "I belive that the American Dream is not something we've invented but inherited."
It's funny because I didn't think of him as someone I would relate to, but I agree with Chuck Norris. He believed that the American Dream is not the persuit of materialistic things, and is more than fulfilling our own dreams, doing what we want, and feeling good. Chuck Norris said that the American Dream is about making a positive impact on the planet and using our God-given talents because "When you've got God, you've got the gold." My favorite quote from him really showed how I feel, and apparently how he feels. "Notice that in the Declaration that life and liberty are coupled with happiness, not money, status, or materialism. Why not the latter? Because they are fleeting and fluctuate, just like the stock market."
I feel as if I connected closer to Chuck Norris's version of the American Dream. He expressed his points and views with comparisons that I could understand. His replies had me thinking, and they were well-thought.
Chuck Norris is certainly a popular choice! Surprisingly, he actually seems like one smart fellow! I love that several of you have pulled in some text evidence in your posts. As I ponder our essential question, (What is the American Dream, and how has it changed throughout time?) I found myself thinking about Mel Brooks's statement. The more wealth we gain, the more our idea of "happiness" and "freedom" changes. What would happen to our dreams if basic comfort became an issue? Idealistic ideas may indeed fall by the wayside should the "economy [collapse] and everything is in threads and torn".
Well, Chuck is 'beast' but, some people other than him had stated some interesting things about what the American Dream is supposed to be. Mr. Ben Campbell had stated that "It's the freedom to be what you want and to strive for what you want." So, as long as you go for and work for what you want then you can have your "American Dream". Because, everyones ideas are going to differ.
Alberto Gonzalez's idea of the "American Dream" really speaks to me. He tells how in America a poor boy/girl can grow up and become even something as the attorney general of the United States. If you look at other countries, would you say they really have the same opportunitys we do?
I would have to agree on all accounts with Ben Campbell. He states that "dysfunctional" lives basically don't exist when it comes to achieving YOUR American Dream. "The American Dream is the freedom of success", it's all about what you want and what your ideas for your life are.
Just by reading a few of these interviews, I can see that the American Dream is different for everyone. While some may define the American Dream as freedom and opportunity, others will claim that it's the possession of material objects. I don't believe that everyone can achieve their American Dream. Their goals may be set too high and they may not be lucky enough to land in the situation where they can reach it. There's also the possibility that they lack the drive to work for it. I found the idea that we can never actually reach our dream to be very interesting. If you can't achieve your dream, then you always have something to work towards. You won't be stuck wondering, "what now?" It may not be that you will never accomplish your American Dream, but that your dream focuses on some greater goal once you do. If not, what a person do once they reach that dream? Wouldn't there be a feeling of incompleteness or unimportance if there is nothing left to strive for?
I could really relate to Chuck Norris's views on the american dream. It's not wealth, which is "fleeting and fluctuate." The true american dream is to be able to practice any religion without fear of persecution. When you've got God, what else do you really need?
I beleive that I would have to pull to Chuck Norris's side of the American Dream. To me, the idea of having God to guide you through things everyday and to depend upon him will help you acheive the American Dream. Without him, you can never be fully satisfied with yourself, thus not acheiving the American Dream.
I, of all people, don't seem to be the one to agree or even relate to an international supermodel, but surprisingly I do agree with the views of Tyra Banks. The American Dream, it's a controversial topic and everyone has a different opinion. Although, Tyra has a "very traditional" view, she AND I have the same ideas on what "The American Dream" really is. We think that you have to work towards your goals that you set for yourself; you can't just think that since you said your going to do it it will happen. Although you do need to keep faith, God won't just hand it to you on a silver platter. You have to strive and keep Him in your thoughts in the process. Also you have to "pay attention to the little details." If you let the smaller issues slip behind they will break you in the end. Life isn't about the "material goods," it's about "creating a plan to turn it into your life's work." We all "have the potential to make anything happen," we just have to strive to be and do our best.
Chuck Norris knows what's up. I can't really relate to having God lead me to the American Dream, but I do believe that it's a feeling and not material possessions. I do believe that you can find that feeling through material things though. The American Dream is a state of mind of being happy and comfortable with who you are and how you live your life. It's just about living to be a happy person. If you're happy with who you are, then no one can tell you what's right or wrong, only to the point of not harming others though.
I really liked what Tiki Barber had to say about The American Dream. He believes, as do I, that The American Dream equals opportunity. A lot of people believe that the rich and famous are just lucky. Tiki said, "But luck is simply the intersection of opportunity and preparedness." When I'm playing football and I make a tackle 3 things have to happen: 1. I have to be playing in the game (opportunity.) 2. I have to know my assignment on the play (preparedness.) 3. Of course, I have to execute the tackle. In life this applies to The American Dream because The American Dream IS opportunity. People just have to be prepared to cease the opportunity, just like Tiki Barber did (by the way, Tiki is a future hall of fame football player.)
I found myself agreeing with Tyra Banks. She believed that the American dream is doing what you love, and to achieve your dream you must pay attetion to details and work hard. I completly agree. Why live a life doing something you hate? The American dream should be something you love and want to do everyday, with determination and by working your hardest.
tyra's view on the american dream is close to what i beleive. living the american dream is what you make it. i think the american dream involves having friends, and having good people around you. and living life to the fullest!
Personally, I related the most to Hugh Hefner's take on the American Dream,although it's still not quite how I would put it. I thoroughly enjoyed his statement, "Going on the quest for it, and the very fact that we refer to it as a dream, tends to separate the idea of it from reality.." I felt that it was something that few other people have the confidence to spit out, but believe in the back of their mind.
Wealth doesn't attract me, but prosperity does.
ReplyDeleteI want to have all of what I need (a companion, house, car, job, food), and a little of what I simply desire (a giant shower, a fancy computer, etc.). I don't want excess, I just want contentedness.
Ironically enough, Chuck Norris. He actually has a brain in there! He believes that anyone can achieve the American Dream and that it is happiness, not material things. I agree with this. Anyone who has the incentive and motive to do something, can. That's the beauty of America! We have those freedoms. Dreams are open to anyone who will work for them. Not everyone will go through the same trials to get there, but anyone can.
ReplyDeleteI agreed a lot with Chuck Norris. He emphasized that the American Dream is not about money or possesions, but about true happiness. Money and wealth constantly change, but the things God gave us never change. I have always felt that there is more to life than money. Chuch Norris expressed these ideas very well.
ReplyDeleteI found myself agreeing with Chuck Norris. I know thats odd because when people think of Chuck Norris they think of the corny jokes about him, but supprisingly he had very wise opinions. He basically believes that the American Dream is not the pursuit of materialistic things, and is much more than fulfilling our own dreams, doing what we want, and feeling good. It's about making a positive impact on the planet using our God given talent. Chuck said, "I belive that the American Dream is not something we've invented but inherited."
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because I didn't think of him as someone I would relate to, but I agree with Chuck Norris. He believed that the American Dream is not the persuit of materialistic things, and is more than fulfilling our own dreams, doing what we want, and feeling good. Chuck Norris said that the American Dream is about making a positive impact on the planet and using our God-given talents because "When you've got God, you've got the gold." My favorite quote from him really showed how I feel, and apparently how he feels. "Notice that in the Declaration that life and liberty are coupled with happiness, not money, status, or materialism. Why not the latter? Because they are fleeting and fluctuate, just like the stock market."
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I connected closer to Chuck Norris's version of the American Dream. He expressed his points and views with comparisons that I could understand. His replies had me thinking, and they were well-thought.
ReplyDeleteChuck Norris is certainly a popular choice! Surprisingly, he actually seems like one smart fellow! I love that several of you have pulled in some text evidence in your posts. As I ponder our essential question, (What is the American Dream, and how has it changed throughout time?) I found myself thinking about Mel Brooks's statement. The more wealth we gain, the more our idea of "happiness" and "freedom" changes. What would happen to our dreams if basic comfort became an issue? Idealistic ideas may indeed fall by the wayside should the "economy [collapse] and everything is in threads and torn".
ReplyDeleteWell, Chuck is 'beast' but, some people other than him had stated some interesting things about what the American Dream is supposed to be. Mr. Ben Campbell had stated that "It's the freedom to be what you want and to strive for what you want." So, as long as you go for and work for what you want then you can have your "American Dream". Because, everyones ideas are going to differ.
ReplyDeleteAlberto Gonzalez's idea of the "American Dream" really speaks to me. He tells how in America a poor boy/girl can grow up and become even something as the attorney general of the United States. If you look at other countries, would you say they really have the same opportunitys we do?
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree on all accounts with Ben Campbell. He states that "dysfunctional" lives basically don't exist when it comes to achieving YOUR American Dream. "The American Dream is the freedom of success", it's all about what you want and what your ideas for your life are.
ReplyDeleteJust by reading a few of these interviews, I can see that the American Dream is different for everyone. While some may define the American Dream as freedom and opportunity, others will claim that it's the possession of material objects. I don't believe that everyone can achieve their American Dream. Their goals may be set too high and they may not be lucky enough to land in the situation where they can reach it. There's also the possibility that they lack the drive to work for it. I found the idea that we can never actually reach our dream to be very interesting. If you can't achieve your dream, then you always have something to work towards. You won't be stuck wondering, "what now?" It may not be that you will never accomplish your American Dream, but that your dream focuses on some greater goal once you do. If not, what a person do once they reach that dream? Wouldn't there be a feeling of incompleteness or unimportance if there is nothing left to strive for?
ReplyDeleteI could really relate to Chuck Norris's views on the american dream. It's not wealth, which is "fleeting and fluctuate." The true american dream is to be able to practice any religion without fear of persecution. When you've got God, what else do you really need?
ReplyDeleteI beleive that I would have to pull to Chuck Norris's side of the American Dream. To me, the idea of having God to guide you through things everyday and to depend upon him will help you acheive the American Dream. Without him, you can never be fully satisfied with yourself, thus not acheiving the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteI, of all people, don't seem to be the one to agree or even relate to an international supermodel, but surprisingly I do agree with the views of Tyra Banks.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream, it's a controversial topic and everyone has a different opinion. Although, Tyra has a "very traditional" view, she AND I have the same ideas on what "The American Dream" really is.
We think that you have to work towards your goals that you set for yourself; you can't just think that since you said your going to do it it will happen. Although you do need to keep faith, God won't just hand it to you on a silver platter. You have to strive and keep Him in your thoughts in the process.
Also you have to "pay attention to the little details." If you let the smaller issues slip behind they will break you in the end. Life isn't about the "material goods," it's about "creating a plan to turn it into your life's work."
We all "have the potential to make anything happen," we just have to strive to be and do our best.
Chuck Norris knows what's up. I can't really relate to having God lead me to the American Dream, but I do believe that it's a feeling and not material possessions. I do believe that you can find that feeling through material things though. The American Dream is a state of mind of being happy and comfortable with who you are and how you live your life. It's just about living to be a happy person. If you're happy with who you are, then no one can tell you what's right or wrong, only to the point of not harming others though.
ReplyDeleteI really liked what Tiki Barber had to say about The American Dream. He believes, as do I, that The American Dream equals opportunity. A lot of people believe that the rich and famous are just lucky. Tiki said, "But luck is simply the intersection of opportunity and preparedness." When I'm playing football and I make a tackle 3 things have to happen: 1. I have to be playing in the game (opportunity.)
ReplyDelete2. I have to know my assignment on the play (preparedness.)
3. Of course, I have to execute the tackle.
In life this applies to The American Dream because The American Dream IS opportunity. People just have to be prepared to cease the opportunity, just like Tiki Barber did (by the way, Tiki is a future hall of fame football player.)
I found myself agreeing with Tyra Banks. She believed that the American dream is doing what you love, and to achieve your dream you must pay attetion to details and work hard. I completly agree. Why live a life doing something you hate? The American dream should be something you love and want to do everyday, with determination and by working your hardest.
ReplyDeletetyra's view on the american dream is close to what i beleive. living the american dream is what you make it. i think the american dream involves having friends, and having good people around you. and living life to the fullest!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I related the most to Hugh Hefner's take on the American Dream,although it's still not quite how I would put it. I thoroughly enjoyed his statement, "Going on the quest for it, and the very fact that we refer to it as a dream, tends to separate the idea of it from reality.." I felt that it was something that few other people have the confidence to spit out, but believe in the back of their mind.
ReplyDeleteJane is dangerous. Even though she got her arm bit off by a shark, she still goes out and surfs.
ReplyDelete