Reply #134: Now, to my mind, Tim01, YOU are living the American Dream, [View All]

[JDPriestly]

the real one. And that we can choose. But if that dream is defined by belonging to a country club or making millions a year on rental properties, I'd rather not go there.

Doing what fulfills you is the good life. I would probably not choose what you have chosen, but what you have chosen represents a valid choice. That is the way to live -- validly with integrity, knowing what you as an individual want and getting that.

You have to realize, however, that even being able to pursue what you want is a gift. You can do what you do because you are smart enough and strong enough to do it. If fulfillment for you were, say, a successful career as a doctor, you would not be able to attain that. So if being a doctor were the American Dream for you, no amount of work or effort could get you into medical school unless you had the education and family-backing and societal support to be admitted -- and if you could qualify for admittance, you would need to have the humility to thank your lucky stars and not feel smugly better than those who cannot do what you have done.