We talked about the idea of the consumer's American Dream and what it was a generation ago: a home of your own, one that you could actually afford; a dishwasher; a washer and dryer in your own home; a bedroom for each parent couple and for perhaps for every two children and that each had their own med or a bed to share; a bathroom with indoor plumbing and a shower or bath; a car of your own; and access to a good job for one of the parents and public schooling through high school for each child. And a week vacation that didn't include camping or fishing or something close to home, was saved for and done every 5 years or so. I look over this list and there are so many people who would disagree with me. But I see that even this list is full of luxuries that so many people are not enjoying right now. The turn in the economy is a serious wake-up call. Not to mention the discussions that I have with friends who visit or live in other countries and think that even this list would never be attainable for the average citizen of that country.
I personally lived in a suburb of Tokyo for 8 years. My apartment had one, 6 mat (measured in tatami) room, a hallway that served as a kitchen with a sink, a gas stove that I had to provide myself, a small counter space and a refrigerator. Then there was a room with a Japanese tub and a sit-down shower area and next to that a room with the toilet in in. I did not own or drive a car the whole time I was there. I did have a bicycle for some of that time.
I "Googled" The American Dream and I found this interesting site: http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/American_Dream.htm
I thought it was interesting in that it was from a British writer:
Traditionally, Americans have sought to realise the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialisation of the 19th and 20th centuries began to erode the dream, replacing it with a philosophy of "get rich quick".
The article is interesting and seems to be worth the read if you should be interested. I am not condoning everything that is said, but it is worth pondering. And I guess I would like to add, that the idea of buying on credit and paying for it later, and buying because "we deserve it" are also big parts of where the American Dream have gone.
I am in a mood of thinking about where we are financially and where we want to be. The idea of the American Dream is very intertwined with that. I mean, it isn't that we have the desire to keep up with the Jones. It is just that sometimes we read too many Better Homes and Garden magazine where it looks like everyone has large, beautiful houses and all the time in the world to enjoy them. :-)
We are working on it. That is what counts. We are facing reality and looking towards the future. That is what counts. We are walking in Faith. That is what counts.
Love to you and yours. P
I am in a mood of thinking about where we are financially and where we want to be. The idea of the American Dream is very intertwined with that. I mean, it isn't that we have the desire to keep up with the Jones. It is just that sometimes we read too many Better Homes and Garden magazine where it looks like everyone has large, beautiful houses and all the time in the world to enjoy them. :-)
We are working on it. That is what counts. We are facing reality and looking towards the future. That is what counts. We are walking in Faith. That is what counts.
Love to you and yours. P
