Throughout the month of January the resonant voice of America's most beloved, most frequently quoted prophet rang out across the country. From the pulpits to the classrooms, from the headlines of daily, weekly, and monthly newspapers and magazines, you heard it, "I HAVE A DREAM!

Children memorize it and recite it. But, when the week of observation is over, we back to our normal lives without asking one pertinent question ... DO I HAVE A DREAM?

This year, after listening yet again to the revered speech, I found myself asking, "What is my dream?" Have I ever actually had one? Not for my family, the country or the world. No, my dream for me! We’re inundated with a plethora of meaningless information. The media keeps us so well informed of every event and non-event these days, that in too many cases, self-realization and purpose get lost in the shuffle. We don’t even allow ourselves to have a dream, we're so busy responding to the moment. Introspection is not encouraged. There’s virtually no time left for it. We've become a nation of voyeurs, living through other people's meaningless lives. To what purpose?

Childhood today is often filled with superfluous images and violent games; youth – school and grades; early adulthood – careers and acquisitions; adulthood – family, career and more acquisitions; senior years – concern for the remaining years and our health, rather than our contributions.

Some people start out with a dream of what they would like to be, or, are so talented at something that it is a foregone conclusion they will end up doing or accomplishing just that. Often, when interviewed, they'll say, "1 always knew this is what I wanted to do.” Life provided them a path to self-fulfillment. They are the lucky ones.

If one were to examine it closely, we might conclude that society has a self-serving purpose in providing a steady diet of soporific entertainment. It keeps the masses manipulated into thinking they are happy and satisfied rather than questioning why their lives are curtailed, futures compromised and the majority of their wealth funneled into the coffers of a minor portion of the population. I digress—that’s a topic for another time..

We need r each of us, to have our own dreams—no matter how large or small— if life is to have any real meaning. A dream will provide a lifeline. It will provide self-satisfaction rather than our constant search for other's acceptance and approval. Even if we don't achieve it totally, in acknowledging its existence, we confirm our own reality. Provide your ·own "MapQuest" by deciding where you want to go rather than worrying about how to get there.

It’s not too late to make a new New Year’s resolution. Stop and think. Don’t listen to anything, other than your own thoughts. Take the time to find your own dream. The world will be a better place because you will be a happier, more fulfilled person. Create your own "1 have a dream" speech and follow it!

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