| I grew up feeling so proud of a country that gives | | | | want. I also believe you can accomplish your dreams. |
| such great opportunity to individuals. That opportunity | | | | Do not let your friends, family, education, or media |
| is called the American Dream. It is where anyone | | | | tell you otherwise. The American Dream is still very |
| with the desire and effort can accomplish anything | | | | much alive. It is, however, not going to be a hand-out |
| they set their mind to. To be able to live up to your | | | | or a stimulus package. No one understands your |
| full potential and live the life of your dreams. | | | | dream better than you do. It is not something you |
| As I grew older I saw more and more inference that | | | | wait for when everything is ideal. It is something you |
| the American Dream was dead or dying, that such | | | | decide to do and find your own way to work |
| great things could no longer be accomplished. At the | | | | towards your goals. |
| same time though I still saw many cases that made | | | | Anything that is every given is rarely respected or |
| me believe that it was still alive. Many immigrants that | | | | appreciated. No, the American Dream is lived and |
| come here legally still find ways to make their dreams | | | | earned through effort and hard work. That is part of |
| come true and live the dream. | | | | the joy of the dream though. You get back what |
| So why is it that many who grow up here do not | | | | you put into it, to see your accomplishments create |
| believe in that dream anymore? American's are born | | | | a reality for what once was only your dreams and |
| with many advantages that are the envy of much of | | | | wishes. |
| the world. I say more people need to realize those | | | | Entrepreneurs and Small Business have been the back |
| advantages to make things better for themselves | | | | bone of this country since its conception and has |
| which in turn more than likely will benefit those | | | | always been what spurred the concept of the |
| around them. If you believe it is dead then it is dead. | | | | American Dream. An individual or small group of |
| If you believe it's possible then it's alive and thriving. | | | | people working towards a common goal with ideas |
| I fully believe that the dream is not dead, and | | | | to make things better through service or innovation. |
| personally know of many born and raised American's | | | | It is still very possible. |
| living or working towards their dreams. I also know | | | | * You too can live your American Dream. You only |
| many that do not live here and were not born here | | | | need to start working towards it. Start moving |
| that believe in that dream as well. They inspire me | | | | forward with what you have. Do not wait until you |
| daily to work towards mine as well. They empower | | | | have more money, time, or better opportunity. If |
| me to live up to my potential to be a better person, | | | | you wait now you will always be waiting. |
| to work towards my goals and to live the life that I | | | | |