Achieving Greatness

      The American Dream has always been a topic of discussion throughout my life whether it was talked about in school or at home. I have heard of several definitions of the American Dream but I believe everyone has different opinions of actually achieving it. I personally think the American Dream is achieveing greatness and being able to improve one's future if they choose to do so. Someone's American Dream could simply mean having the basic necessities of life which includes shelter, food and water. Others could wish to achieve much more.
      Although this idea of achieving greatness is known as the "American Dream", all over the world people are striving to succeed in life. Whether its in Europe or Africa or still here in the United States, everyone tries to make the most of their life and they work hard each and every day to keep this idea alive. However, some must work harder than others to achieve the dream. For example, America is made up of immigrants from all over the world. These people come over from their home land to America for more opportunities in the life that they believed they could not get at home. With the idea of the American Dream comes many sacrifices. For example, immigrants who come over to America have to leave behind their home and sometimes their family. However, this is a sacrifice a person must be willing to make in order to improve their life.
     For my distant family, they mainly came over here from Ireland in hope to start a better life for their family. They knew that their were more opportunities over here and they made the sacrifice to leave their old life behind. My immediately family took advantage of the sacrifices my distant family made to make their life better and improve their futures. My parents say that their American Dream was just to be able to supply for my brother and I and give us a life where we could build our own American Dream. Even through the rough times with the recession, my parents continue to work hard to give my brother and I everything we need in life. Because of the recession, most families live paycheck to paycheck with little extra money after paying off bills. My parents gave me opportunities in life where I reach for greatness through education, sports and more. My parents taught me that in order to achieve success, I must work hard every day because nothing comes easily. I use to take everything I had for granted until I realized how hard my whole family has worked to build the basis of a good life for me and for that I thank them for making the sacrificies they made in order for me to have my own American Dream.