What is the American Dream? The American Dream is the idea or theory that in the United States of America, we are all equal. As a nation, we have these unthinkable freedoms to pursue whatever we see fit. It involves the recognition of being successful, having homes, and living wonderful lives through the practices of education, work, and worship. The documents that our Founding Fathers made are still in use today, proving their ideas of success and determination to make the United States of America as great as it is today.

The freedoms that the Bill of Rights guarantees are still attainable in the American Dream today. The American Dream is still viable. We have people every single day coming to this country hoping to achieve the greatness of their own American Dream. The freedoms that are still existent in the Untied States of America allow for opportunities of the freedom of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, etc. My American Dream is to obtain a strong education so that I am prepared for a successful career and life.

My grandmother, Reynette Wallace Hauswald, was born on August 13, 1936 in Anaheim, California, during The Great Depression. At my age, in 1951, my grandmother's American Dream was to be able to receive the best education possible through public school. Every person has their own American Dream that they want to live out. It is only a matter of time before everyone figures their own out. My grandmother defines the American Dream as a chance to be successful by living out dreams through success, prosperity, and freedom.

In order to successfully participate in her American Dream, Hauswald was actively involved in service clubs and extracurricular activities. She was involved in YMCA of TriHiY. TriHiY was an organization that stressed the importance of serving the community and becoming better Christians. My grandmother was so involved that she ended up becoming a national representative of Orange County. It was easy, according to her, to learn leadership qualities back then because of the benefits of living in such a small town.

Hauswald's dream did not change; it grew. She knew that she wanted to go to college and perform to the highest ability that she could. Also, she strived to be a leader to all every single day. Her success in life ultimately occurred through the support that she received from her loving family and friends.

Success is never fully achieved without overcoming obstacles. Some of Hauswald's obstacles were getting involved in too much at school and participating in every club or extracurricular possible. She had to be conservative. "My parents were really the ones who achieved this dream", quotes Hauswald. My great-grandparents really experienced this American Dream. From living through four wars to seeing the first man on the moon, their life especially commemorated the never-ending accomplishments or hardships performed by the United States of America. Obstacles are like forks in the road, some are mighty and some are small. It is just a matter of time before we all overcome them, no matter the duration of the path.

Hauswald's current opinion of the American Dream is that it is a legacy that the United States of America hopes to continue to maintain. In her words, "The world will always become better". Technology is stronger, there is more of an availability of resources, and the population is multiplying. The world will hopefully get even better as the many years go by.

My grandmother and I relatively have the same idea about the American Dream. We both strongly advocate for education and obtaining and taking full advantage of our given freedoms. Work and dedication achieves our goals in life, not laziness or doubt. The journey it takes to achieve our dreams is worth just as much as the dream itself.

The American Dream has interesting history behind it. The term itself was originally used in 1931 by James Truslow, an author, in one of his novels. It gave people insight as to what the American Dream means and what everyone is capable of making in their homeland. As is it still used today, it's powerful legacy and meaning has continued. The American Dream is available for anyone, at any time, at any place, whenever they choose to begin living it.

The original definition of the American Dream is this idea that every American can receive the equal opportunity to succeed. The American Dream is not magically given to everyone, it is worked for and earned. It is also interpreted as a chance to live a different life with equality, freedoms, and happiness for hopefully all of eternally.

The American Dream provides numerous opportunities, struggles, and successes for thousands of people. Many come to the United States of America simply to receive a piece of this so-called dream. Whether it's our rights or freedoms that help guide us in the right direction, or our own will, anything is possible in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My hopes for my American Dream are to work hard and succeed in whatever life brings my way. I hope to be prepared for every hardship and success that I will endure.

The American Dream, today, is whatever we choose to make of it. Opportunities are out in the world waiting for us; it is our will and courage to go out and pursue them that counts. Dreams are eternal, but the chances we have to live out those dreams are not. A dream is a dream; big or small, they all matter, and deserve to be lived out.