After four long years of college and finally receiving my diploma I guess the next step in life is figuring out a way to use the knowledge I have to become a successful working American.

What does a successful working American even look like? We are told in school and by the media that the only way to truly be successful is by getting a high paying job, living in a big house with a white picket fence, having a couple kids and maybe a boat along with a few nice vehicles. Is that not the American dream? We work and we save and we do our best every day to provide for the people closest to us.

So as I sit here and think about the perfect American dream, I question if the "American dream" is what everyone should be striving for. I'm not sitting here knocking people that are living out the "American dream" because I think it's great if you truly love what you do. I just believe the "American Dream" might not be for everyone.

If we look around and really examine ourselves, we could probably all agree that we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. We look at other people and want to be like them. These are natural feelings, but I think we will be able to find our true success if we start doing the things that actually make us happy and not someone else.

Who says being a janitor is a bad job? Who says driving a truck is a bad job? The list could go on and on, but my point here is who can say these are bad jobs if they are jobs that you love to do. As a matter of fact, living the "American Dream" is perfect if that's really what you want to do.

I believe success can be hard to find because we are always on the search for jobs that we might not truly want. It's almost like our world starts crashing down on top of us, and we lose the ability to think outside the box. I believe true success is found in doing things you personally love doing. If you love to take pictures, then take pictures! If you love to draw, become an artist! There is money to be made in this world if you think outside the box and work hard.

Let's start looking at the glass half full and base our success on doing the things we love and by investing in the people under us. Let's vow to explore the world we live in and chase after our dreams even if other people don't understand. Use the gifts that you have been given to make an impact in the fields you love. We don't have to fit the mold of other people because we were all created with different gifts and abilities. This world would be a disaster if we were all the same and all had the same jobs.

Be who God made you to be and chase your dreams. Let's start thinking outside the box and enjoy life. We are only on this earth for a short time, so why not make the most of our time by doing the jobs best fit for our skills. Dare to different, and dare to be you.

God Bless.