The Importance of First Impressions

When meeting people for the first time, it's important to put your best face on. You may have heard the quote, "Prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet." This is a famous quote from the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Elliot. It's pertaining to the importance of first impressions.
The way you think you present yourself to people may be different than how you actually present yourself. When first meeting someone, you may be quiet and courteous. You decide you came across as the best person you could be. The person you are meeting though may take your quiet character for being secretive or unobtrusive. People always have a different opinion of you than you think they do.
The best thing you can do when meeting someone for the first time is to be yourself. It's okay to be nervous, but try to start a conversation. According to First Impressions , the most important thing you can do when meeting someone for the first time is to smile and keep eye contact.
Some people may think I'm shy or reserved, when in reality around the right people I am outgoing and loud. We must strive to be honest with ourselves when meeting people for the first time. Instead of being shy and reserved when first meeting people, I should try to put on an honest face, be more like myself, and be outgoing. I think Elliot's quote is one to remember for many situations, and an influential quote to live by.

The Fortunate and Less Fortunate

The beginning of the book, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, starts out with an inspirational quote. “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.” This was said by the main character, Nick Carraway. His father most likely said this to him because he was better off than some people, in the means of money or character. 

This can be seen in anyone's life. There will always be someone richer and better off than you, or poorer and in need of help. This is even true in my life. Where I live most people are wealthy and much better off than me. They have greater means to go to college someday, better clothes, and much nicer residencies. They were just fortunate to be born into a family with the means to have this kind of life.

There are also those that aren't so fortunate. There are plenty examples of these people in our own country. "About 15% of our country lives in poverty."  That's 46.5 million people. These are people that struggle to find the next meal, have a place to live, or send their children to college someday. These are the people Nick Carraway's father would tell me to not criticize because they don't have the advantages I do. 

Achievement of the American Dream

There are many people in our country who have achieved their American Dream. I think the dream is achieved when you are able to give back to others while still having the means to support yourself. I think a good example of someone who fits this description is Ellen DeGeneres.
Not only does she have her own T.V. show where she features those that are in need of help, but she actually helps them. On her show she gives out prizes and money to those in need. Outside of her T.V. show though, Ellen supports 37 different charities that represent 25 different causes. That's a lot of people she is helping. http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ellen-degeneres
Just in the past few years alone, Ellen has been known to be the largest monetary donor to ASPCA, been awarded the Wyler's Award, went around the U.S. awarding her "Ellen's Big Stimulant Package" to help families in need. The ASPCA has to do with animal abuse and pets in need of food. "Ellen's Big Stimulant Package" has helped families to live more safely and have food to eat.
  Also she has done many things on her show. For example in May where she has her 1,000 dollar day and gives away money to someone in need in the audience. We need more people like Ellen in the world.
Just think of all the people Ellen has helped. Since Ellen has achieved the American Dream, she is able to help people achieve their dreams. Ellen has done a good job of this.

What the American Dream is to Me

The American Dream can be perceived in many different ways, depending on the person. Some may say it's all about owning your own land, or perhaps having a family. Others may say it's all about freedom since we are "land of the free". To me it's so much more than that though.
My American Dream isn't only about having a family and a house like some may argue, but it also includes being successful and financially stable. What's so great about having a house and a family if you don't have the means to keep them? My American Dream includes having the ability to enjoy every aspect of these freedoms. This means being able to buy the things you want, and when you need them because you are financially stable. In order to be financially stable, you need to be successful. Need this be at work, with stocks, or at school in order to succeed later in life.
Americans from earlier times should have realized this side of the American Dream when it first came about. Back in the 1920's, Americans were investing in stock, getting wealthy from it, and completing their American Dream by buying a house. What they didn't realize then was that they first needed to be financially stable and careful with their money. Had they learned this, they may have been lucky and made it through the next decade with some financial support. Unfortunately this was not the case for most. The Struggling Life A Decade Later

We must remember that though we are "the land of the free", we must prepare for the worst. This means having a support for our dreams and making our own way for our dreams to be possible. No matter what the American Dream is to you, just make sure you take the steps to protect it.