Church Chat: Living the Dream Part I

Do you ever think you are living the American Dream only to wake up and Realize:

Maybe Not?

house for sale on hemlock street in lake oswego, oregon - $420,000 - _MG_0243


When we moved last September. We hired United Moving Co. They sent a driver and he contracted a couple day laborers to load up and drive and then unload as well. This Driver and one of the laborers were a pretty sad sack of beans. They basically lived in the truck (yuck.) I estimated they were both still in their 20's. And they basically drank themselves into oblivion nightly. {Let's not think about how safe they were—still are? on the road.} We talked to them a lot while they unpacked our stuff and they were seriously intrigued by our Leave it to Beaver Mormon lifestyle. And yet they could not believe we don't drink alcohol. Not even a drop. (I mean since they practically worship Jack Daniels..seriously this was shocking to them.)

So which is it? Are they Livin' La Vida Rica? (as in happy joyful fulfilled?)

Or

Are we?

There was a point about 7 yrs ago.
Where we woke up one day (yes that sudden) and realized we didn't dream big enough? Huh?

  • We both dreamed of college degrees: check.
  • We both dreamed of leaving small town life and experiencing something bigger: check. (NYC big enough for ya?)
  • We dreamed of having a few kids, buying a home and holding a steady job: check, check and yes check.

Now what?

Does it seem greedy to dream of more....?

Or not?

Next episode: "Why More Isn't Better."


And yes I know it's father's day today... Happy Happy and lots of plaid shirts and ties to all the loving dads out there! Go see the cards my kids made and know that we are happy in our celebration of father's day.. I just really needed to get this post started. I'll finish it next Sunday... See you there.


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at Saturday, June 20, 2009
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Ms Sassy Pants's avatar - Go to profile

Ms Sassy Pants · 823 weeks ago

Hey, I'm fond of Jack as much as the next girl. OK, probably more. But booze is not the key to living the dream. And since you and your husband are happy with your life, then THAT is your American Dream. It's all about what you in particular dream about. I love my suburban "Beaver Cleaver" life. It is my dream. There are people who dream of a home out in the country with chickens stuff. No way is that my dream though. Chickens are scary!
1 reply · active 823 weeks ago
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CarissaRogers 60p · 823 weeks ago

What?? You don't love chickens??

Good point the American Dream is specific for each of us... huh?
One man's Dream is another woman's nightmare...
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KRistina · 823 weeks ago

I have never regretted not drinking alcohol. Ever.
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Susie's Homemade · 823 weeks ago

I think it is greedy not to dream big. If you don't, you are cheating the world out of experiencing all that you can be:-)
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Jyl (Mom It Forward) · 823 weeks ago

Dude.. you can't leave me hanging. I'm calling you today for the rest of the story, because I can't wait until next Sunday for part II of this post.

Answer 1—Living the Vida Rica...
I think that everyone has their own values and feelings on what is right and what isn't. My grandma was an alcoholic and so I certainly steer clear of the stuff. My religion and my beliefs also play into my decision. That said, I think everyone should appreciate people for their beliefs. As long as we all live and act responsibly so we aren't infringing on each other's beliefs, I think it's OK. It's when that doesn't happen, that I think we need to put our foot down and put into place laws and rules to help people live and act responsibly.

Answer 2—Dreaming Big...
What else do you have if you don't have dreams? I think it is healthy to reach higher and try and develop our potential. I don't see any greed in that. Of course, if we are doing it to keep up with the Jones's or to have more for the sake of having more, then I think more becomes a question of quality versus quantity and one certainly will leave us feeling more fulfilled than the other.
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Jocasta · 823 weeks ago

Funny - I've been feeling a little unfilled lately. I'm thinking that cutting back on the booze is a good start. Not that I'm an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination but I know it's a depressant and probably not helping my state of mind. I've made a list of things I need to do to try and motivate me (it's only day one but I do have hope).
1 reply · active 822 weeks ago
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CarissaRogers's avatar - Go to profile

CarissaRogers 60p · 822 weeks ago

Hey girl... how are you doing this week?
I hear you on needed to cut back on some of the things I seem addicted to.
I'm ready for a long vacation ya know?

thought you might like to know I added part II to that living the dream post:

<a href="http://goodncrazy.com
http://goodncrazy.com<br />
Cheers!

Carissa

@CarissaRogers on Twitter
ApricotALot to see my shop
GoodNCrazy where I blog
Mom It Forward To Join #GNO
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Joy · 823 weeks ago

I learned when I quit my job to be a sahm money isn't all that. Yea it's great and all but I didn't miss my fancy car or my job when I was seeing my son's first smiles, first time rolling over and standing and steps. I saw them all because I decided bigger and better wasn't all that.
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Rachel · 823 weeks ago

Money isn't everything and dreaming big is only wrong when you're dreaming someone else's dream.
I luvz this post.
Happy Father's Day to your man ;-)
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the domestic fringe · 823 weeks ago

It's sad that some have given up on every dream except drinking themselves to sleep every night.

It's nice to be able set goals, dream big, and reap the benefits of our achievements. I think we just need to be careful to make our dream ours and not cave to the pressure of society.
-FringeGirl
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arizona · 823 weeks ago

I love a good glass of red wine every now and then. But, I don't drink to excess or drink in order to have a good time...I don't need alcohol to have a good time. I simply like the taste and I enjoy comparing different wines and different vintages. I'm a snob like that. ;)
There's nothing wrong with dreaming big. What else is there to do in life but dream big? I think our purpose in life is to experience as much as we can while raising good and healthy families who also love life and try to help others enjoy life, too. Its when you get bogged down with the "keeping up with the Jones's" type of dreaming big that you get into trouble. Live your own dream and let the Jones's live theirs. :) That's my lesson for the day. Now I think I'll re-read what I just wrote!
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Carrie Anne · 823 weeks ago

Funny reading your dream to leave small town life and go on to something bigger. Here I am (my husband and I) are dreaming of the small town life and trying to get out of the big city. And what an ending to your post. Now I need to know what the bigger dream was and why it's not good....hmm

Oh, but I am here for another reason. I'm here to bestow upon you the Honest Scrap award:
http://cabadov.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/blog-awar...
Enjoy. And I can't wait to see what your truths will be :-)

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