Dreams, we all have them. Some we remember, most we do not recall. Others awake us with vivid recollection, sometimes containing frightful thoughts. Some, if we are fortunate, stay with us throughout the day with pleasant thoughts that refresh and shape our attitude at least for the day.
However, the dreams that can affect us most are those that do not come to us in a night’s sleep. They are forged, normally in our early years, and refined as our life experiences allow. These are what I call Living Dreams. Most of us carry them around a lifetime; few are brought to fruition. The reasons may be numerous and individual, but it is popularly believed that most dreams are seemingly just beyond our reach no matter what our circumstances. However, I disagree with that premise.
I see too many examples of clients achieving one of their life goals in home ownership. For some it has taken years of saving and sacrifice. Others may have been more fortunate and the ability to find the American Dream was attainable much earlier in life. This does not lessen the importance of their life goals, but merely allows them to redirect their desires and efforts.
If you are to be persuaded by many of today’s economists, the American Dream is dead. It does not make financial sense and introduces unnecessary risk in an already fragile economy. It is said that this was a dream of our fathers and has little relevancy today. I surmise that in a highly transient and accelerated society that seeks change for its survivability and vibrancy, this type of thinking is germane. But maybe it is this thinking that perpetuates the economic and social problems that surround us. Perhaps if more people dreamed, planned and achieved home ownership, the American society as a whole would be more accountable and responsive to our families, neighbors and country, and our economy would thrive.