The American Dream

From what I've been reading, hearing, and discussing with friends of similar age to me, is this overwhelming propensity to try and figure out "what to do". Even amongst the youth kids, there's this feeling of aimlessness. Now, I don't want to sound like a hippie, but it's not about the destination, but about the experience.

We've become such a goal oriented society. Fame, fortune, power, the classic draws of megalomaniacs has seeped into the very fabric of our lives. Sure, our asperations may not be as great as "take over the world!" but sometimes I wonder if they are even great at all.

You hear a lot about this whole idea of "the American Dream". Being a first generation Asian-American, it's difficult to see the impact of the American Dream in our demographic.

What I understand as the traditional American Dream is a good secure job. Owning your own home. Having a spouse and 2.5 children. As time passed, the American Dream evolved to "being successful" with all its trappings. This coincides with the whole idea of achievement as worth.

This issues is compounded when you look at a Christian's life. A Christian not only faces the struggle of secularism but also what he knows to be true in scripture. There is a part of the christian that wants all those things; financial success, fame, power. At the same time, he wants to do "God's work", make an impact for the kingdom, etc.

This whole phenomena can be attributed to the secular education system. All your life, you are judged by standardized tests and forced to compete with others of your ilk. You are perpetually graded and marked for passage to each level. Through out high school, you are prepared for the institution of college, as if your rejection from higher education would be the end of your life.

Now what does this have to do with anything? Well, you're built up to these high expectations for college. Once you get there, just like every other transition in life, it's not what you expected.

In elementary school, life is good. Life is simple. You have recess after lunch and you don't have a care in the world. You're not thinking about the opposite sex yet. You haven't hit puberty, so all those hormones and awkward changes haven't begin to take effect. Life is a breeze.

But middle school. What a wretched place. You have hair growing in weird places. Different kids are developing at different rates and the comparisons begin. Why are her breasts bigger than mine? Why does he have hair on his face? What is this thing between my legs? Why do I feel this way when I look at the opposite sex?

With everything that's going on, it's a wonder that kids even survive middle school. By the end of your stint there, you can't wait to go to high school; for no other reason than it's a change. With change, there is the hope that things will be better.

Once you get in to high school, you realize that it is just so much worse. Now your hormones are in full swing. Your body is changing drastically and you don't think anyone understands what you're going through. And again, you look forward to college because it will be different. You won't have parents around and you won't have stupid teachers.

Now in college, your hopes have finally come true. College is everything you expected it to be. In fact, it's more so! The opportunities to learn and to party are virtually endless. This is what your entire life has been about, to get to this institution. And now that you're on your way to graduating, you feel a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. With this piece of paper, you'll be able to change the world!

Wake up.

No matter how prestigious the school you come from seems, it really doesn't matter. "What? But I went to an ivy league school. I spent over 120,000$ and have this tremendous debt. Doesn't that account for something?" Nope. You hear that? No!

That is the harsh reality. That is the terrible lie of higher education. You are told that college and all this education will amount to something. A better job, a higher salary. No. None of it matters. That piece of paper that cost you anywhere from 40,000-120,000$, which you thought would be the magical key, amounts to nothing but a toe in the door.

Now, after spending virtually your entire life, up 'til now, in some sort of educational facility, you find yourself directionless. At every other transition, there was a natural progression. Kindergarten than elementary school. Elementary school than middle school then high school. High school then college. College then job. Right? But then what? Marriage?

For the first time in your life, you are in control of your future. Sure, you can drop out of college, but remember the lie that you've been fed. The fear that you'll be flipping burgers for the rest of your life is a powerful one.

Now don't take my above ramblings as meaning that you shouldn't do well in school or go to college. Those are all fine and good. But they are not the end all be all that colleges you like you to believe. Remember, colleges are a business. They are out to make money. As such, they cannot be trusted. If anyone has a financial stake in you, you cannot trust them. But don't think that college will be the magical solution to everything.

It is the realization that you have been lied to for your entire life that forms this feeling of disenfranchisement. Of course you're going to feel directionless. Coupled with the desire to do God's work, to do something that counts, while still being able to sustain some sort of life, is extremely difficult. Short of becoming a pastor, I would say it is virtually impossible.

So, when then do I say it is the journey, not the destination? A) We, as Christians, know where we will be at the end of our lives. Regardless of finacial, social, or political position, we are all children of God and are saved. In light of that, who cares about the other stuff? B) We know that it is God that is in control of not only the lives of those that believe in him, but also of the those who choose their own path. With this knowledge, we can take comfort in knowing that whatever it is that we are doing, God will use it for His glory in one way or another. C) The journey is all about relationships. God values relationships higher than any other thing. Nothing else on earth is as eternal as relationships. The one between you and God. The one between you and your family. The one between you and your friends.

Now, this doesn't mean you can just fool around and do whatever. That's not what I mean by the journey. What I mean is doing your best and making the best of what you have where you are.

People always think that they should be in another place or in another time, but this is where God wants you. Where you are is the right place and now is the right time. We, as believers in God, need to be proactive and carpe diem for His sake.