The American Dream is the one thing that has separated our nation from any other country in the entire world. Many people aspire to come to America in efforts to achieve the commonly known idea of “The American Dream.” This dream is considered to be the pursuit of happiness in all aspects of your life, no matter what you do or who you meet it is important that each individual is happy with their lives. I have recently noticed that this dream no longer entails the experiences we endure or the people we create; it now revolves around the amount of money an individual makes. In a free market economy, there is a lot of room for anyone with dedication and perseverance to flourish. However, because of the common greed and desire for money, people are no longer worried about the life they lead, but instead of how much money they make.
How did we get here? Is it true that money can really buy happiness? I guess that all just depends on how you would define happiness. Our society has become so money-hungry that we are allowing the value of a dollar bill to dictate whether or not we are content with our lives. The amount of income that an individual generates does not determine their value as a person and it certainly should not be factored into whether or not that person is happy. Being wealthy isn’t necessarily defined as having a lot of money, being wealthy can be measured by a number of things. I have known many people who are wealthy because they are surrounded by people who love them and wish to see them succeed; I have known others who have more drive and dedication toward their own goals than CEOs, these people are wealthy as well. Having a lot of disposable income should not define one’s happiness, money is the root of all greed and evil. How can something that is considered so evil truly make a person happy?
It shouldn’t matter whether you drive a new 2016 BMW or an old beat up 1997 Buick, it’s those priceless memories that you make inside the vehicle that should matter. It should be about the soda stain in the backseat from a road trip with your girls, or long drives at night just jamming out to the music. When you look back on your life, you should value the experiences and memories that you have over material objects that you possess or the money that you make. What is a big mansion if you can’t fill all the empty rooms with your loved ones?
There are always going to be people with nicer things, better clothes, and more money than you. You will never be happy until you love who you are and the blessings you have in your life. It is essential for people to realize that you can’t put a price tag on certain experiences or creating new memories. Moments such as falling in love, starting a family, or even long walks in the park with your parents are priceless. Any moments like these don’t come from the amount of money a person makes, they come from surrounding yourself with love and people that aid in making you happy. While it makes things easier to have a lot of money, there are many things that money can’t buy. I have come to find that what money can’t buy is what really makes life worth living. It is about having late night talks with my mom or telling jokes to my dad that I truly cherish, and those are things that I never needed money to get.
The American Dream is still considered to be the pursuit of happiness, and if making a lot of money is something that makes you happy then all power to you. In contrast, it is important to comprehend that true happiness cannot be bought with any type of currency. Being happy with who you are and who you surround yourself with is what matters. When people look back and remember you, they won’t remember how much money you made, but what you did and how you made them feel. Now that is something that you can never put a price on.
