In Search of the American Dream
I found it; Learn how
by
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Chapter I What is the American Dream?
The term was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book the Epic of America which was written in 1931. He states:
"The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.
The American Dream is the belief that in the United States of America, hard work and determination can lead to a better life, usually through the earning of money. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to newer generations. Some consider the American dream to be having two children and living in a suburban house with financial security and a two-car garage. Only a minority of the American population currently lives this lifestyle. The American Dream has been criticized for its emphasis on material possessions as a way of finding happiness.
The origin of the American Dream, a term coined by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America(1931), stems from the departure in government and economics from the models of the Old World. This allowed unprecedented freedom, especially the possibility of dramatic upward social mobility. Additionally, from the American Revolutionary War well into the latter half of the nineteenth century, many of America's physical resources were unclaimed and held out the promise of land ownership and lucky investment in land or industry. The development of the Industrial Revolution combined with the great natural resources of the enormous and as yet unsettled continent created the possibility of achieving wealth.
The American Dream was a driving factor not only in the gold rushes of the mid to late 1800s, but also in the waves of immigration throughout that century and the following one.
Settlement in the new world provided hope for egalitarianism. Martin Luther King invoked the American Dream in what is perhaps his most famous speech: "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream."
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About the Book
Liadi’s message will become crystal clear as you follow his educational, occupational and spiritual journey. Anyone—regardless of their circumstances—can achieve success in America if they are willing to work hard and have the proper mindset, attitude and ethical make-up----Barry Cohen, author, 10 Ways to Screw Up an Ad Campaign
About the Author
Liadi Belo-Osagie: Portrait of the Author
Take one Nigerian-born immigrant; add a supportive American wife and children, and you get a highly motivated hard worker with the ability to impart his acquired knowledge and skills to others.
At the age of nineteen, when Liadi Belo-Osagie emigrated to the
For fourteen years, Belo-Osagie worked in the hospitality industry, in both the hotel and restaurant environments. He credits that period—especially the time spent working for the Marriott Corporation, as the source of his highly developed work ethic. He attributes his customer service skills to both Marriott and his parents.
Although Liadi had achieved management positions in the hospitality industry, he dreamed of owning his own business. A 1994 lay-off, coupled with the long work hours and little time spent with family, reinforced the need for a change in his life. His first real entrepreneurial venture was a travel agency—until he faced a large, formidable competitor: the internet. As people began booking travel on-line, his business dropped.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Belo-Osagie took to the educational field, in order to support his family. Working first as a substitute teacher, he went back to school at night and earned a second degree—a Bachelor’s in Special Education from
Something still ate away at this already successful man. Motivated by the need to generate funds for his children’s college education, Liadi began doing extensive research, reading and listening to tapes about successful people. He cites Earl Nightingale as the inspiration to invest in his first rental property. He noticed how successful leaders worked progressively toward a worthy ideal. He began to do the same, realizing that he could combine his business skills and his educational abilities to not only acquire and manage properties, but to teach others how to successfully do the same.
Today, Liadi Belo-Osagie owns and manages a portfolio of rental properties that have augmented his personal income and his family’s standard of living substantially. He runs a full calendar of workshops on the subject. For more information, visit: www.belogroupseminars.com