The American Dream is not dead

I had lunch the other day with a young man about 23 years of age. Yes, I am old enough now (at least to him) to say young man.  Ugh!  I digress.  I met him at an event I was speaking at a few weeks ago.   He got his college degree in finance from a very well-known college. He has worked with a big stock brokerage firm and that is where his passion is.  He reads all of the magazines and publications, and knows his stuff.  But what is unique about this 23-year-old, is that his family moved him from Latin America when he was 9 years old.  His family moved here with three suitcases and that was about it.  It was such a neat story.

We discussed life, goals, aspirations, cities to visit, you name it.  But something he said to me that has stuck with me for a few days now is this:  He said the American Dream is not dead.  When he said this to me, I asked him to repeat it, because I wanted to be sure I heard him correctly.  He said it again.  The American Dream is not dead. Obviously, I had to unpack this with him for a few minutes.  We discussed success, hardwork, and determination, everything that is required to live “The American Dream”.   We discussed helping people and changing lives while we change our own.  We had a great conversation and he has motivated me even more.  I like to be around people like him.   I know what the American Dream is to him, and he knows what it is to me.  But what is The American Dream?

I think it is our duty on this earth to become everything we are capable of being, whatever that is. A good question to ask yourself?  Am I doing everything I can?  If the answer is yes, that is ok.  But if you are unsure, then I think the answer is no.  So what can you do? This is a great question to ask yourself in your personal life and on the job.  My mentor said don’t just get through the day, get from the day.  When you get from the day, you squeeze every last drop out of it.

There are a lot of people who say you must appreciate what you have.  Yes, I agree with that statement whole heartedly. So a suggestion I have for you is this: Enjoy all you got, while you pursue all you want.

What is the American Dream to you?