I just accepted the position of executive director of the Center for a New American Dream (www.newdream.org). Great, wonderful, congratulations, etc., but given the recent sea change and various economic/environmental calamities, the question has to be asked: What is the new American dream? And how do we acheive "it" once we identify it?

Well, to start off with we know it is not what we have now. We work too hard and long. We spend too much on stuff we do not need and that gives us little satisfaction. Our collective actions are destroying the planet's ability to support life as we know it. And we have lost our connection with others within our family/friend circle and also our communities. Any new dream should address these issues.

Next I will be meeting with a couple of dozen experts to talk about ideas for fixing the above. The specific question being: how do we move beyond a system that is based upon unbriddled growth and unsustainable consumption? It is quite a challenge but I sincerely believe that we are up to the challenge, because I seen what folks can do when they come together as a community to acheive a common goal.

I'll let you know what ideas emerge from this meeting, but I am also interested in hearing from others about what their dreams are or examples of how they are accomplishing them. Dream On!

Find balance in your work, buy only what you need, and reconnect with your community.

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