The first dream is of friends and family. With the epidemic of COVID-19, people were restricted to their homes. Many realized that loneliness came with the closed door, and struggled without others to visit. Americans keenly realized friends and family are a true treasure and ultimately demonstrate success in personal relationships

       The second dream is an enjoyable career. Sometimes people pursue certain careers because they bring social affluence, whether by working as a doctor, lawyer, or politician. This does not directly equate to success. If those individuals find meaning in those careers, are productive, and generate positive results, then they have attained success in this area of their life. However, most people don’t need to pursue those specific careers to be a success. The same can apply in blue collar jobs. If one enjoys and finds meaning as a mechanic, janitor, or house cleaner, they too can be defined as successful.

       The third dream is of health and fitness. Again, COVID-19 brought this aspect of success to the forefront. When sickness and death came knocking, it hit hardest those individuals with underlying health conditions (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc). COVID ravaged both rich and poor, and showed that one cannot buy health, but has to eat right, exercise, and be graced with good genetics to successfully navigate life’s epidemics.

       The fourth dream is a long and loving marriage. Some people enjoy being alone, but most others desire a long term relationship. It is challenging to set aside one’s desires in support of another, and to handle the annoying actions by our significant others. If one can build mutual support, respect, and show love the way a spouse needs, the marriage may be fulfilling and successful.  

            There was little difficulty with this project. I knew immediately I wanted to create a metaphorical image about American success. The only issue that occurred was finding images I could cite. Many images are reused again and again throughout the world wide web against their copyright. It was fortunate I found a few websites that provided pictures with free/fair use or which just required a basic citation. Please see the following links for further information on each image:

Expensive home and car:

 

Sunwest Custom Homes- https://businesspress.vegas/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/12999580_web1_copy_3-Front-ext-garages.jpg?crop=1

 

Friends and family: My mom’s picture of our family as seen on her Facebook page.

 

Mechanic: Image by PeopleCreations on Freepik- https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/smiling-mechanic-with-arms-crossed-spanner_1005755.htm

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Runner: Runner’s World photographer Chris Hinkle- https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a28198094/talking-to-yourself-better-performance/

 

Married Couple: Photographer Sujata Setia- https://www.insider.com/photographer-captures-elderly-couples-posing-like-newlyweds-life-lessons-2019-12