A Single Promise

Having lived in California all my life, I have grown to view the California Dream as a single promise; a promise that, regardless of one’s ethnicity, income, or education, one will find happiness. This promise is manifested not only through the vibrant culture and people of the land, but also through the state’s historical fascination with wealth, a common form of “happiness.” In 1848, more than 300,000 people flooded the state, hoping to “get rich quick” and abuse the endless opportunities the state offered. To this day, millions of people make the same pilgrimage to come to this land in search of a “new wealth,” one characterized by education, fame, and art and personified through figures like Steve Jobs, George Lucas, and even Paris Hilton. From the sunny beaches of Malibu to the snow covered peaks of Tahoe City, California radiates with blissful comfort and abundant opportunities, making it a prime location for all people to start anew and live a “happier” lifestyle. It is this confidence in the California Dream that draws hopeful optimists to strive for the “perfect” life of success and luxury.

What makes the California Dream unique is its sheer simplicity, making it adaptable to almost every social circumstance. Even in today’s economic recession, California has remained committed to nurturing a land of opportunity and recreation for all its inhabitants. Hollywood is still buzzing with young talent and the beaches are as clear as ever.

Many people argue that the California Dream is just a game of “smoke-and-mirrors,” that the real California Dream died with the “Malibu Barbie” revolution and the newfound obsession with colossal wealth. What they don’t realize, however, is that these alterations are just a way to modernize and better the standards of the Dream. A culture stuck in the past is a culture that has no future.

Most importantly, what makes the California Dream so special is its ability to go beyond being just a promise. In each Californian’s life, in due time, the Dream becomes a reality. It becomes a new way of life, a distinct set of values, and a bright channel for success and happiness.