Do you ever wonder what happened to the average citizen’s ability
to achieve The American Dream? Is there something about the
pursuit of THE AMERICAN DREAM that contributes to failing systems
and institutions (from an Enron economy to failing education, the
deterioration of the family unit, social ills such as senseless
violence, suicide, substance abuse and perversion)? Geela thinks
so. In her highly praised book THE AMERICAN DREAM, Geela
explains the connection between our failing systems and
institutions and the pursuit of The American Dream as we know it.
Through her proven “Principles For Successful Living,” and her
innovative nonprofit organization, ONE SPIRIT, ONE WORLD, Geela
revolutionizes the conventional wisdom of achieving personal
success and prosperity.
A recent study reveals that the overwhelming majority of
Americans are now experiencing more stress and less true
fulfillment and optimism then ever before. They believe that the
odds of them winning the lottery are probably much better than
their odds of attaining The American Dream. And the current
climate of global terrorism coupled with growing uncertainty and
failing systems and institutions only makes their faith in
attaining The American Dream for success, happiness and
fulfillment seems less likely. The American Dream is becoming
more and more like the Impossible Dream.
When one looks at the evolution of the concept of The American
Dream, it’s hard not to notice the sharp contrast of “before and
after” or “this was then, this is now.”
The concept of The American Dream was basically originated from
suffering periods of lack, following the Great Depression and WW2
when people had appreciation for work because it was scarce. The
main concern was security and basic survival. As such, the focus
of The American Dream was on wholesome values such as a strong
work ethic, integrity, family, community and moral values. It
created joy of life, pride in work and family and a sense of
community. In sharp contrast, The American Dream is no longer
attainable by most people. How many people can afford a home
considering the ridiculously high prices? And decent jobs with
stable companies are increasingly becoming a thing of the past.
Sure, we have accumulated lots of stuff (toys), but they only
bring us artificial joy, which is as fleeting as it is cruel.
It was hard work, integrity and wholesome moral values that
provided the solid foundation for creating prosperity and
economic boom in this country. It was prosperity with integrity
and purpose that brought us a sense of real joy and pride coupled
with a strong sense of community. However, success has its own
trappings, and with success came the desire to “keep up with the
Jones’s.” Need eventually turned into greed. The new generation
wanted more, in fact they demanded a higher standard of living
almost at all costs, even if it meant getting into serious debt.
Life was no longer about family and community but instead was
more about status (through money and power, with the obsession
with fame and fortune for the wrong reasons). And thus began the
pursuit of materialism with all the side effects associated with
it.
And when need turns to greed, the results are inevitable. The
same spirit that created capitalism and prosperity has also
created corruption, compromised integrity and the erosion of
wholesome values systems that eventually has led to failing
systems and institutions.
In a materialistic driven society, where the love of power and
money overcomes the power of love, anything becomes fair game.
The system, including the media only perpetuated this concept of
the newly evolved American Dream for self-serving reasons (to
make more profits), while turning us from a nation of producers
to a nation of insatiable consumers that made us forget our
spiritual roots. Thus, human excellence has given way to human
weakness while enslaving us to our own addictions and desires.
In fact, we hear so much about the Enron type of corruptions and
dirty politics fueled by special-interest money, that it has
virtually become an accepted practice.
The prevailing mentality in American society today is that you
can get something for nothing. There is a sense of entitlement
and an expectation of wanting the good life without having to
work hard for it. This is reinforced, glorified and perpetuated
by the media with shows like “The Lifestyle of The Rich and
Famous.” When all you see is glamour, but not the hard work and
sacrifice that goes into achieving success, it only inspires more
envy and the desire for a “get rich quick” scheme leading to the
erosion of morality and integrity.
Consider the break down of the family system. When both parents
spend long working hours (sometimes just to make ends meet),
their children are left alone, being raised by their peers, gangs
and TV. Family values and compromised integrity simply don’t
run parallel. By failing to instill good values in their
children, children have become corrupted by default, increasingly
turning to violence, which in turn negatively affects not only
our way of life, but our economy as well... Once again, the
culprit is the pursuit of materialism.
Now consider the increased senseless violence at our schools and
unchecked crime on our streets. Both can be traced to the
pursuit of materialism, which drives people to corruption,
compromised integrity and the erosion of wholesome values
systems. Violence is a reflection of being away from family and
community, an anti-social behavior and a lack of a sense of
belonging. After all, how can children feel safe and truly cared
for when they are left alone without any clear boundaries? Crime
too, is a reflection of the growing frustration and anger
resulting from the perception of lack of opportunity, and the
equal sharing of prosperity. Call it like it is – it’s a class
warfare between the haves and have-nots.
Here is a quick quiz for you:
· Do you know your neighbors? How about just their names?
· When was the last time you invited your neighbor to dinner?
· Why do you build a fence around your home?
· Have you noticed that the more possessions we have, the more
we try to isolate ourselves with an attempt to protect our
hard-won assets?
As tough as it is for our national pride to admit it, one can’t
ignore the failing of our educational system as evidenced by
failing test scores. This too is basically a reflection of the
erosion of our moral values, work ethic and our failing
institutions. Many politicians are driven by doing what is
politically correct and getting elected rather than what’s in the
best interest of the community. As the United States falls
further behind the world in education, the negative impact on our
economy will be felt too. Once we were the world’s leading
producers of goods. But now our higher standard of living has
escalated wages to the point where manufactures are taking jobs
overseas (to places like China and India where cost of living is
very low). As a result we are importing more and more of the
goods necessary to maintain our excessive lifestyle. As a
result, the foreign trade deficit has ballooned to an all-time
high. Our addiction to consumption has forced us to go into debt
to the rest of the world. The huge budget deficit we hear so
much about is really a deficit in integrity. Our only edge in
the world economy has been in technology and innovation. But in
the absence of good education, we will lose this competitive edge
too. And if we wish to maintain our high standard of living, we
must produce something of value in order to remain a valuable
player in the global economy.
But the break down is not limited to our systems and institutions
alone. Our nerves and spirits are just as affected. With growing
personal and national debt (with no way out short of a miracle or
winning the lottery), out of control violence and crime,
environmental and spiritual pollution, extreme stress,
frustration, hopelessness, rejection over lack of opportunities,
lack of accomplishments, or control of their own lives, send more
and more Americans straight to a shrink’s office, take Prozac or
worse, get hooked on drugs and other destructive substances as a
way of coping. Many simply have reached their breaking point
resulting in a diminished productivity at work, a diminished
family harmony and enjoyment of life itself.
People are not as free as they would like to believe. The reality
is that, knowingly or unknowingly, people are controlled, by
virtue of being in debt and by being enslaved by the pursuit of
materialism (a by-product of the pursuit of The American Dream as
we know it). Perhaps it’s time to reflect on what really matters
in life and ask ourselves the eternal question. “Are working to
live or living to work?”
Many feel this country has seen its finest hour unless we develop
a new attitude. In the words of a fellow immigrant, Arnold
Swartznager, “no more business as usual.” It is a luxury we
simply can’t afford. As an immigrant, who came from a different
culture and a different values system and achieved The American
Dream, not only do I appreciate the great opportunities and
freedoms this great country has to offer, but I am able to see
the sharp contrast and the cause and effect that contribute to
the social and economic ills of our society. Indeed, social ills
are an equal opportunity employer. But it is precisely because I
care so deeply about this country, that I make my observations
and offer innovative solutions in order to preserve the greatness
of this country for future generations.
Finally, here is the burning question. How can one be happy and
successful and still get a piece of The American Dream? How can
we restore our failing systems and institutions and preserve a
free and thriving society? What needs to happen is to restore a
wholesome values system with integrity. We need to restore the
true spirit of The American Dream which was based on
perspiration, innovation, risk and reward. That’s when we can
once again appreciate simple pleasures and discover that it is
“He with the most joys lives,” and not “He with the most toys
lives.” And perhaps only when the power of love overcomes the
love of power can we finally get back on the yellow brick road to
real prosperity, real peace and real fulfillment. Indeed, the
best things in life are free, and all you have to do is recognize
it.
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