The American Dream: Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness

Achieving The American Dream
What is “The American Dream” and how does one obtain that lifestyle? Many believe the American Dream to be, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” brought to us by the Declaration of Independence. But if one looks up the actual definition in the dictionary you’ll get something that sounds a little like this: “The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity.” Although in the end, the American Dream is perceived through many different perspectives, I believe it is very much obtainable. The American Dream is achievable through dedication, a well balanced lifestyle, and maturity.
One way, among many others, you can acquire the American Dream is through dedication. In the aspect of success you must be determined to work harder than you’ve ever worked before. You have to want it, you have to crave it; just as Gatsby craved Daisy. He dedicated his weekends and money to throwing these huge, extravagant parties, just so that Daisy may accidentally wander upon one one night. “‘I think he half expected

her to wander into one of his parties, some night,’ went on Jordan.” (Fitzgerald 63) Fitzgerald gives us a perfect example of dedication. Gatsby throws weekend long parties, for mutual strangers, for the slither of hope that one girl might just walk into one of them. Although Gatsby’s “American Dream” was Daisy and not success, he still needed the dedication to achieve it.
Another way you can reach your American Dream is through a well-balanced lifestyle.

Now you may be asking yourself, “what does a well-balanced lifestyle consist of?” Well for starters, it means being actively healthy in all aspects involved with physical, emotional and social health. Let's take Gatsby for example, he was physically well, but lacked the social and emotional health. “‘He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths--so he could ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden?’” (Fitzgerald 63) This alone shows how Gatsby's emotional health was harmed at the expense of Daisy. Say Gatsby would have had more emotional self control, he may have obtained Daisy sooner than five years. Although we will never know that for a fact, we do know that it shows how a well-balanced lifestyle is essential to the achievement of your American

Dream.
The last requirement needed to acquire the American Dream is maturity. Appearing mature and making mature decisions will reveal many opportunities throughout life. Just as Gatsby did when he first approached Dan Cody. “I suppose he smiled at Cody--he had probably discovered that people liked him when he smiled.” (Fitzgerald 66) The way Gatsby presented himself as strong, confident, but friendly brought him the opportunity of leaving with Cody to the West Indies, which Fitzgerald later elaborates upon. All in all, Gatsby's maturity brought him an opportunity that lead him closer to his American Dream.
In the end, the “American Dream” may be wealth, love, materials, or anything of that importance in your life. No matter the dream, the steps to achieve it are all the same, dedication, a well-balanced lifestyle, and maturity. Follow these few life choices and you’re sure to obtain your “American Dream”.