Blogger, Joshua Becker, shared his thoughts about an article published in USA Today recently about what the American Dream now costs. Ready for it? $130,000/year to attain. He went on to quote from the article that based on those figures only 1 in 8 families are actually living the dream.

As Joshua said, “Yours truly excluded.”  Well, count me in too, as it certainly does not include me. Far, far, far from it. You can read more here about how unfortunate Joshua finds this article.

If it weren’t for where I am in my spiritual and self development, this would have devastated me to read this. I would have felt like a failure. I would have questioned what I am doing wrong. I also can’t help but think what it takes to maintain that American Dream. What would I have to give up to make that happen?

But who defined this as the American Dream? Where did we lose our way? It wasn’t always this way. We have lost sight of what is truly important in many ways. Though I also see the light becoming brighter as more people seem to be becoming enlightened to a way of life that does not require such a huge price tag.

I especially like what Joshua said in that as Americans, free to pursue happiness, we get to decide how we define that happiness. Those that define it as the article states are free to do so, but those of us who define it with less material possessions should have that right too.

The other part of this that bothers me is what it is teaching our younger generation. That if they are not living the $130,000 American Dream they are viewed as not worthy? Whether they currently aren’t living “the dream” or will soon go out into the world on their own with this incredible pressure instead of exploring what it is that makes their hearts happy. How do we instill in them to not give into what society defines as “successful?”

I tried to attain the American Dream at one time in my life, and I was unhappy. Now I have a car that is 14 years old, I’ve been living in the same house for 27 years, and my wardrobe is mostly from second hand shops. I make different choices, that is all. I am not living the American Dream, yet I am happy. I guess it goes to show you that you can’t always believe everything you read. But you can pause and take note of what it is that truly makes your heart happy and follow its lead.