When it comes to the American Dream what do we tell our kids? As parents, we tell our kids to study when they are about to take an exam. It’s not the end of the world, but if you want to get into the right college, those test scores might matter. What happens when you don’t test OK? What happens to the kid that keeps trying and trying to succeed but never seems to get there? You become content with just getting by. Yes, some of us are surviving, dealing, coping, struggling, or whatever you want to call it, with success. But what is success in the people’s minds, the American Dream? The “A” Dream is wrapped up in an illusion of contradictions as if we all are blind tourists visiting the new world. 

We watch our kids say, “I have nothing to wear!” And then stand in the closet for 30 minutes, hoping for some inspiration to jump out at them. Hoping for a dress, a shirt, a pair of jeans, or sweaters to scream, “Hey, wear me today!” We watch them choose to huff and puff, like the big bad wolf, and close the closet to check the weather on their phone for the third time before opening the closet door again to stand and look for another ten more minutes, which is an everyday process.

We ask, why form mountains of dirty clothes, toys, all sorts of stuff in the closet? What happens when you open the door? Everything is going to topple over and spill onto the floor. The process many of us choose to go through in the playing field we call life. We don’t like to deal with (excuse my French) our shit, which includes the consequences of our actions.

Why not put everything on the table when you’re in your feelings about something? Why hide because you are afraid of the outcome or what might get said? There doesn’t need to be a screaming match. Step out of the box, into your creative side,  find a way to communicate, deal with your emotions and accept the truth.

That’s the problem with today’s society. Many of us do not like to look in the mirror because we don’t like what we see. We will rather hide, sweep things under the rug, and deal with the truth instead. We don’t choose our happiness; we go with what is popular—everyone else definition of the American Dream.

Clear your mind of the “A” dream wrapped up in an illusion of contradictions

Education ‒ history, and lessons wrapped in versions pulled together to drain your pockets. Equality ‒ A set of rules for the society that appear to make people believe we all have the same rights under the law, but then again, whose being mass incarcerated and killed. The black and brown skin people. Affordable Housing – Can we afford it with the rent prices going up? Democracy is a government for the people, but when we vote, our vote doesn’t matter because the popular vote doesn’t show presidents. Liberty ‒ is freedom, but with the history of slavery in America and the rise of the criminalization of the black man, black neighborhoods, and black households. It’s all an illusion, like the Opportunity is circumstances put in place with promises, as long as you work hard, and keep on working, is what they say. However, they don’t prepare you for the institutional setbacks in place because of someone’s arrogant idea of superiority.

So, what do we do?

• Confront the contradictions, but don’t let them consume you.
• Set life values for yourself.
• Make sure the risks you take are worth the sacrifice.
• Don’t just hustle for someone else every day without working on your foundation. Think black wall street.

As flawed human beings, we sometimes forget the lesson, the teachers, the builders of America. Or maybe the evolution of America has changed, and we refuse to accept it, Which is why I get happy when mother nature gives us a touch of spring during winter, and it allows us to prepare ourselves for what is to come.

Like society’s definition of the American Dream, when we get a touch of spring, we sometimes get so confused playing, the should I or should I not wear a jacket game. Just because we receive a touch of spring in the winter, we get deceived because the sunshine and the slight warmth we receive feel good. But when tomorrow comes, the meteorologist says, “tomorrow, back to the cold, 23 degrees” Next thing you know, some of you are walking around with runny noses. There is no shame in keeping your jacket open, or wearing a light coat, instead of walking around like it’s springtime in January? The rearranging of our closets is an ongoing process, just like the life we lead. It does not stop. We get rid of the summer clothes in the winter; we need to pluck the negative people out of our life for a less complicated life.

 You can put on a blazer over one of your spring dresses in some tights and shoe boats in the winter to save money. You can take a step back to see who brings positivity to your life and who does not.

We choose the piece of clothing that is interesting to us and work around it. We need to make sure we sit front and center of that fashionable piece, and we need to take attendance and make sure we are present before dealing with anything else. As we ask ourselves, is this working or still working for me.

As you lay your outfit out on the bed, to see if everything looks right. Or, try it on quickly as you stand in the mirror. Truth is an essential factor because ugly is ugly. So, make sure you have that truth embedded in every element of your life, and it must come from you and the people around you.

Note to self: your taste might change. Clothes get too small, too tight, or worn out when shopping for new clothes. We need to consider that we as people grow with every experience, and we become different people, and not everybody is on the same path. Do not stress over it. Complete a self-appraisal and an appraisal of everyone around you.

Learning is what happens in the knowhow. You learn about yourself, what you like, or don’t like as you experience life and make choices; In the process of dealing with the aftermath of our government decisions, we still have to decide who we are in the moment. It is where you are molding yourself into the man or woman you want to be. But keep note that tomorrow’s adventure is a new you, so make sure you open the door and breathe.

 I dare you to open your eyes and choose your best outfit.