The present economic turmoil has had a sobering effect on a section of our society. Rachel is a young woman who has great expectations for herself. She graduated recently and soon after, she purchased a house. The house cost more than $ 100,000. Since she did not have the money, she borrowed from her bank. Unfortunately for her, that house will be auctioned off before the end of this year. “Two years ago, my thoughts were for the future. Today, I wonder what will happen to me,” Rachel told me. I cannot help but worry about that young woman. “My dream is to get to a brighter day,” she continued. I have heard those sentiments echoed often in the recent past. One friend told me, “I will be glad when this mess is over. I cannot wait for next year.” My friend Joseph was referring to the uncertainty brought on by a shaky economy.
I do not know that a new year will herald the glad tidings for Joe. There are many others who are also hoping for a break. However, according to CNN financial news Website, the problems are far from resolved. There are numerous headings that indicate a long road to financial health. Retailers are losing business, mortgages are faltering, jobs are being cut and at the same time debts are mounting. While many have cut back on their spending habits, none can freeze all expenditure.
The American dream for those who are losing to the economic crisis is peace. All they seem to want is a time to breath free. They are tired of anticipating the worst and holding their breath. They are afraid to hope. Therefore, they have brought their thoughts to wish for some good. Fear has made them careful. They are not going after their wildest dreams right now. It is as if their dreams have to wait for this economic nightmare to conclude, before they can take off again.
I cannot chide them for being watchful right now. I am concerned too. However, I am not ready to shelve my cherished dreams. I will hold on to them. I will bind my time and when the tide is right, my dreams will come true. I hope that the opportunity comes sooner than later, for all of us.
Reference:
http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/americas_money/2008/
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Democracy
A democracy is probably one of the greatest dreams come true in my opinion. There was a time when this country was ruled by a foreign government. That government was not run to benefit the people. All the British priorities were about their prosperity. Everybody else was dragged along for that purpose. Those who resisted were punished. However, it did not stop the founders of this nation from dreaming. They dreamed of a place where citizens would be treated equally. Today we celebrate freedom but we should also remember their dream.
According to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs, a democracy guarantees the rights and freedoms of the people. The people in return follow the rules that make democracy work. For example, they choose to respect the rights of other citizens. There are also other responsibilities such as serving on juries. These responsibilities call for a people who are active in the life of the country.
There are those who think that the practice of democracy here is sealed for life. However, they forget the simple fact that democracy is a way of life. Without the people, there is no democracy. Democracy may seem like a fine machine, but it needs the citizens to sustain it. That is why James hopes that the present generation realizes what they hold in their hands. They have a precious legacy in democracy. They should, in turn, bestow it upon their offspring.
When I spoke to James about the American dream, all he could talk about was how entitled the youth feel. They think that they are entitled to all the perks of freedom. However, they also feel that they should not have to work in the same fields that would cause democracy to thrive. In the words of his 19-year-old son, it is time to kick back and enjoy the good stuff. Like the early fathers of this nation, James’ dream is to hand over the spirit of freedom to his children and grandchildren.
“It is the little things that others take for granted, that matter to me. I can go to church without fear. I own my thoughts and principles. Besides, I can join and meet people who share my way of life. I want my children and their children to have the same, if not better privileges,” James answered when I asked him why democracy was so important to him.
Like James, I realize that it will take more than a couple of history lessons to rekindle the passion for freedom in our youth. However, the thought of living without freedom is inspiration for James and others to train their children to cherish freedom. The only way to do that is to work diligently. Service to the community is one way to fan the dream. Others may be called to work in various offices and they should do so with enthusiasm.
For those of you who want to be free to make choices for your own life, you cannot let democracy go cold. Those of you who want to have a say in the running of the country, do not take lightly the duties that guarantee a place for you in government. Thus, let the reality of freedom live on through your work.
References:
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/religion.htm
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/citizen.htm
According to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs, a democracy guarantees the rights and freedoms of the people. The people in return follow the rules that make democracy work. For example, they choose to respect the rights of other citizens. There are also other responsibilities such as serving on juries. These responsibilities call for a people who are active in the life of the country.
There are those who think that the practice of democracy here is sealed for life. However, they forget the simple fact that democracy is a way of life. Without the people, there is no democracy. Democracy may seem like a fine machine, but it needs the citizens to sustain it. That is why James hopes that the present generation realizes what they hold in their hands. They have a precious legacy in democracy. They should, in turn, bestow it upon their offspring.
When I spoke to James about the American dream, all he could talk about was how entitled the youth feel. They think that they are entitled to all the perks of freedom. However, they also feel that they should not have to work in the same fields that would cause democracy to thrive. In the words of his 19-year-old son, it is time to kick back and enjoy the good stuff. Like the early fathers of this nation, James’ dream is to hand over the spirit of freedom to his children and grandchildren.
“It is the little things that others take for granted, that matter to me. I can go to church without fear. I own my thoughts and principles. Besides, I can join and meet people who share my way of life. I want my children and their children to have the same, if not better privileges,” James answered when I asked him why democracy was so important to him.
Like James, I realize that it will take more than a couple of history lessons to rekindle the passion for freedom in our youth. However, the thought of living without freedom is inspiration for James and others to train their children to cherish freedom. The only way to do that is to work diligently. Service to the community is one way to fan the dream. Others may be called to work in various offices and they should do so with enthusiasm.
For those of you who want to be free to make choices for your own life, you cannot let democracy go cold. Those of you who want to have a say in the running of the country, do not take lightly the duties that guarantee a place for you in government. Thus, let the reality of freedom live on through your work.
References:
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/religion.htm
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/citizen.htm
Friday, October 24, 2008
Home
Home
The American dream is often associated with home ownership. A neighbor friend was quick to note that he would not be in financial turmoil, had it not been for his desire to provide a home for his family. Albert or Al as he likes to be called, has a wife and two children. His firstborn is almost 5 years old and the youngest just turned 1. “I want my family to have a place they can call home. It is hard to see something terrible come from that wish.” I understood what he was saying. His dream is further away, now that his home is in foreclosure. He tried to rent it unsuccessfully after he moved to an apartment.
A lot of people have recently had to suspend all attempts to buy homes. Due to the present economic upheavals, it may be a long time before such people regain financial strength. However, it has not always been hard to purchase a home. All one had to do was present their case to a bank. The bank would then extend a loan to pay for the house. The person would live in the house but they would not really own it unless the debt was fully paid off. Others would save until they had enough to pay for the house, while still others inherited property. However, according to CNN web site, the market is so nervous people do not want to risk anything at the moment.
It is not hard to see why homes are so important. It is the one place people feel that they can be free. I too have bought into the notion that home is best. I do not feel compelled to show restraint, especially when it comes to expressing myself.
My dream home is idyllic. I am surrounded by beauty and my soul is serene. However, from what I have experienced, dreams may not tell the whole story. As my landlady told me, having property is just one side of the story. The side involves responsibilities and obligations such as taxes and maintenance.
A dream is a great thing. It calls us to scale mountains and to cross valleys in search of the one thing that makes it real. The thought of a roof over our heads may inspire us to move all kinds of obstacles. However, like a true builder, one must consider and appreciate the cost of the dream house. Any house may not be the dream house but a house is better than none at all. Those of you who live the dream, carry on. Those who are still in search join me in doing all the real work that manifests our vision.
Reference:
http://money.cnn.com/
The American dream is often associated with home ownership. A neighbor friend was quick to note that he would not be in financial turmoil, had it not been for his desire to provide a home for his family. Albert or Al as he likes to be called, has a wife and two children. His firstborn is almost 5 years old and the youngest just turned 1. “I want my family to have a place they can call home. It is hard to see something terrible come from that wish.” I understood what he was saying. His dream is further away, now that his home is in foreclosure. He tried to rent it unsuccessfully after he moved to an apartment.
A lot of people have recently had to suspend all attempts to buy homes. Due to the present economic upheavals, it may be a long time before such people regain financial strength. However, it has not always been hard to purchase a home. All one had to do was present their case to a bank. The bank would then extend a loan to pay for the house. The person would live in the house but they would not really own it unless the debt was fully paid off. Others would save until they had enough to pay for the house, while still others inherited property. However, according to CNN web site, the market is so nervous people do not want to risk anything at the moment.
It is not hard to see why homes are so important. It is the one place people feel that they can be free. I too have bought into the notion that home is best. I do not feel compelled to show restraint, especially when it comes to expressing myself.
My dream home is idyllic. I am surrounded by beauty and my soul is serene. However, from what I have experienced, dreams may not tell the whole story. As my landlady told me, having property is just one side of the story. The side involves responsibilities and obligations such as taxes and maintenance.
A dream is a great thing. It calls us to scale mountains and to cross valleys in search of the one thing that makes it real. The thought of a roof over our heads may inspire us to move all kinds of obstacles. However, like a true builder, one must consider and appreciate the cost of the dream house. Any house may not be the dream house but a house is better than none at all. Those of you who live the dream, carry on. Those who are still in search join me in doing all the real work that manifests our vision.
Reference:
http://money.cnn.com/
Friday, October 17, 2008
Education
I am the eldest in my family. Therefore, I have to set a good example for my siblings. The pressure is on, even today. Education was and is, one of the most important subjects in my family. I cannot speak ill of a subject that has dominated most of my life.
In my opinion, it is important for everyone to get an education. If we rely sorely on our experiences to guide us, we draw from a very shallow pool of information. Help and advice from friends may not fill the void, or answer all the things we do not know. I knew I wanted to go to school early on. At first I was driven by curiosity. However, it has since occurred to me that I could earn a living from what I have learned. That is when my sweet dream turned sour.
I started counting my chickens long before they hatched. I thought of the money I was going to make when all schooling was over. Nobody ever mentioned that my commitment to education would or should last a lifetime. I thought I was done when I graduated from high school, but that was just the preamble. I couldn’t possibly quit at the start of a race, could I? My mother was quick to answer. She said no.
I went to college immediately after high school. I loved almost every minute of college life. It was in college where I first saw the light. I could never learn everything. Joyce, a friend of mine is coming to terms with the fact that education is a life journey. She went back to school right after her baby was born. According to her, careful planning is crucial. However, it is equally important to rally support from family. It is what allows her to pursue her dream.
We hear a lot about free education, but we fail to understand that there are some who cannot avail themselves of the free lessons. We are surprised that anyone could pass up the chance of a lifetime. Education is as important now as it was decades ago. When a teacher could have their pick of the world, and any knowledge of computers was awe-inspiring. Today, being educated is not as distinguishing as it was then. There are more and more skills needed to fit into the workplace. There are so many qualified people for the available jobs, and applicants find that they have to display an array of skills to get employment.
In spite of the fact that competition for education and employment is very high, there are more fields to explore. There are questions we need to answer for our generation and I think education is the key.
In my opinion, it is important for everyone to get an education. If we rely sorely on our experiences to guide us, we draw from a very shallow pool of information. Help and advice from friends may not fill the void, or answer all the things we do not know. I knew I wanted to go to school early on. At first I was driven by curiosity. However, it has since occurred to me that I could earn a living from what I have learned. That is when my sweet dream turned sour.
I started counting my chickens long before they hatched. I thought of the money I was going to make when all schooling was over. Nobody ever mentioned that my commitment to education would or should last a lifetime. I thought I was done when I graduated from high school, but that was just the preamble. I couldn’t possibly quit at the start of a race, could I? My mother was quick to answer. She said no.
I went to college immediately after high school. I loved almost every minute of college life. It was in college where I first saw the light. I could never learn everything. Joyce, a friend of mine is coming to terms with the fact that education is a life journey. She went back to school right after her baby was born. According to her, careful planning is crucial. However, it is equally important to rally support from family. It is what allows her to pursue her dream.
We hear a lot about free education, but we fail to understand that there are some who cannot avail themselves of the free lessons. We are surprised that anyone could pass up the chance of a lifetime. Education is as important now as it was decades ago. When a teacher could have their pick of the world, and any knowledge of computers was awe-inspiring. Today, being educated is not as distinguishing as it was then. There are more and more skills needed to fit into the workplace. There are so many qualified people for the available jobs, and applicants find that they have to display an array of skills to get employment.
In spite of the fact that competition for education and employment is very high, there are more fields to explore. There are questions we need to answer for our generation and I think education is the key.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Television
I chose to write about the television next, because it stirs up so many memories of my childhood. I do not remember when or how we acquired the television set. All I know is that it caused a lot of excitement. We were not the only ones in the neighborhood who could tune-in to world events, but we felt that we were pretty special. These feelings of jubilation were short lived. When football season came, we received so many uninvited guests that we could not enjoy the game. We understood the importance of the game but we could not abide the thought of sharing our new-found treasure with the entire neighborhood. I am pretty sure the number was much less but it felt like a throng.
In retrospect, I feel so much better that the television is much more common. The best part about it is that I can watch the news or any program of my choice in the comfort of my home. I talked to my friend Steve whose experiences are a little different. He was more interested in playing than in watching TV. “I guess my parents were pretty lucky,” he told me. He has a little girl who loves to watch music videos. It is almost impossible to watch anything but music in his house. Thankfully for him, he can opt to retire to another room where no one can disrupt his take on politics.
Philo is credited with the creation of the television even though he was not the only one who worked on the idea (Landen). His idea is about to choke our ability to think. In my opinion, he worked his mind and he reaped the benefits. I cannot imagine what he foresaw but he may not be too pleased with the fact that his work may have stunted our thought processes. Many seem to go to screen stars for ideas concerning their lives.
The television is a remarkable invention. There was a time when acquiring one would have been at the top of my list. I would have gone for the biggest or the best in my estimate. However, the tide is beginning to turn, now that I have children. I think of the time that they would rather spend watching TV and I worry. What would happen to them if they got so engrossed with the TV world that they did not have time for the real world? I then remind myself that I am the parent. My job is to chart a path for them and to guide them in times of confusion. It is now that I finally appreciate what my parents were doing when they turned off the TV. I had no idea how much of my time it could have consumed.
I remember thinking that I wanted to surpass my parents in just about every area. However, I had no concrete idea of what I wanted. Sure, I knew I wanted a bigger house but it is the TV that put it all in perspective. I watched open-mouthed as it revealed the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The lavish homes were a sight to see and I saw how splendid my life could be. All I had to do was model my life after my idols. I had my work cut out for me. I needed to cultivate wit, wisdom and knowledge at the same time; I had to be both humble and successful in something. After all these years, the lavish lifestyle is still out of reach. No matter. I have my own television set and I reserve the right to dream on.
Hal Landen
http://www.videouniversity.com/farnhal.htm
In retrospect, I feel so much better that the television is much more common. The best part about it is that I can watch the news or any program of my choice in the comfort of my home. I talked to my friend Steve whose experiences are a little different. He was more interested in playing than in watching TV. “I guess my parents were pretty lucky,” he told me. He has a little girl who loves to watch music videos. It is almost impossible to watch anything but music in his house. Thankfully for him, he can opt to retire to another room where no one can disrupt his take on politics.
Philo is credited with the creation of the television even though he was not the only one who worked on the idea (Landen). His idea is about to choke our ability to think. In my opinion, he worked his mind and he reaped the benefits. I cannot imagine what he foresaw but he may not be too pleased with the fact that his work may have stunted our thought processes. Many seem to go to screen stars for ideas concerning their lives.
The television is a remarkable invention. There was a time when acquiring one would have been at the top of my list. I would have gone for the biggest or the best in my estimate. However, the tide is beginning to turn, now that I have children. I think of the time that they would rather spend watching TV and I worry. What would happen to them if they got so engrossed with the TV world that they did not have time for the real world? I then remind myself that I am the parent. My job is to chart a path for them and to guide them in times of confusion. It is now that I finally appreciate what my parents were doing when they turned off the TV. I had no idea how much of my time it could have consumed.
I remember thinking that I wanted to surpass my parents in just about every area. However, I had no concrete idea of what I wanted. Sure, I knew I wanted a bigger house but it is the TV that put it all in perspective. I watched open-mouthed as it revealed the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The lavish homes were a sight to see and I saw how splendid my life could be. All I had to do was model my life after my idols. I had my work cut out for me. I needed to cultivate wit, wisdom and knowledge at the same time; I had to be both humble and successful in something. After all these years, the lavish lifestyle is still out of reach. No matter. I have my own television set and I reserve the right to dream on.
Hal Landen
http://www.videouniversity.com/farnhal.htm
Friday, September 26, 2008
The American Dream
It is my opinion that the American dream is the embodiment of freedom. With that freedom there is equal opportunity for all members in the society. When Martin Luther King Jr. gave the speech that is entitled “I Have a Dream” he was thinking along the same lines. He wanted a place where injustice would be banished and where all children would be free to play together. There would fulfillment and democracy for all parties.
At times I get caught up in the financial aspects of the American dream but I remind myself that money cannot solve all problems. Money is important especially in the money market economies of the world but it is not without complications. Money can be an element that fosters discrimination and injustice.
A world that is built around financial strength can only endure as long as the money lasts and I am increasingly aware of the transient nature of things and especially money.
The American dream I see is dependent upon relationships. It is defined by how we get along with each other as a nation. Those relationships allow people of different backgrounds to work together for the common good.
I asked my friend Joe what he thought the dream was about and he was quick to note that the most compelling word for him is opportunity. Without it one may never know how far the horizon stretches. Besides, the ability to redefine oneself cannot be separated from freedom. It is freedom that makes room for people to realize their potential.
I do realize that opportunity is important especially because it allows every member of the society define themselves. It gives us the chance to change whatever we find unacceptable. That means I can change my circumstance and I have confidence that no one can limit my abilities. However, all these freedoms cannot be realized without the input of other members in the community. Thus cultivating good relationships with other members of the society is crucial.
At times I get caught up in the financial aspects of the American dream but I remind myself that money cannot solve all problems. Money is important especially in the money market economies of the world but it is not without complications. Money can be an element that fosters discrimination and injustice.
A world that is built around financial strength can only endure as long as the money lasts and I am increasingly aware of the transient nature of things and especially money.
The American dream I see is dependent upon relationships. It is defined by how we get along with each other as a nation. Those relationships allow people of different backgrounds to work together for the common good.
I asked my friend Joe what he thought the dream was about and he was quick to note that the most compelling word for him is opportunity. Without it one may never know how far the horizon stretches. Besides, the ability to redefine oneself cannot be separated from freedom. It is freedom that makes room for people to realize their potential.
I do realize that opportunity is important especially because it allows every member of the society define themselves. It gives us the chance to change whatever we find unacceptable. That means I can change my circumstance and I have confidence that no one can limit my abilities. However, all these freedoms cannot be realized without the input of other members in the community. Thus cultivating good relationships with other members of the society is crucial.
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