I recently read a write up about a new book "The European Dream", by Jeremy Rifkin. The book talks about how in today's world people are no longer looking to achieve the so called "American Dream". The American Dream originally was based on the idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today's American dream is something totally different. In America we live a fast paced life with very litte rest and only pursue material possesions. I see this to be true in Central Iowa. Look at all the new homes going up in West Des Moines and Waukee. You have 5 bedroom houses that only 2 people live in. Half the time the people who live in the house can't afford to buy furniture for the inside the house they just spent a half million for. If you look in the paper you can see that the amount of bankruptcies is on the rise.
So what is this European Dream? In Europe they live a more relaxed, slow paced life. They are known to take 2-3 hour lunches and leave early from work. They are granted extended vacations and maternity leave from work. Europeans don't worry about keeping up with their neighbors. They take value not in possessions but with spending time with family and friends.
I think the European Dream sounds good. I think we all need to take a few ideas from this and life in America and Central Iowa would be much better!
