You close the car door and just sit, staring straight ahead. You’re exhausted, mentally drained and you feel an ache in your bones. It’s the middle of your work week and your pursuit of the American Dream is taking its toll on you. You’re always stressed and tired, you spend little time with your family and doing things that you really enjoy. In the past two weeks you put in enough non-paid overtime to allow you to take four weeks off. But, you know that’s not going to happen.

You have the sinking feeling that the longer you try to keep this lifestyle going, the more it’s going to demand. Something that you heard when you were younger squeezed through your thoughts; “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul….” You think, am I losing my soul? Have I lost my soul? I have a nice house, a nice car, money in my bank account, a family who seems to get along. What am I missing?

Could it be that what’s missing is a love and passion for you’re doing? It’s easy to fall into the misguided notion that gaining the American Dream is the goal and right of every American. The American Dream; the nice job, the nice house, the nice car and the nice family, may not be what you’re cut out for. Maybe you’re cut out for apartment living, with an income that will allow you to pay your bills and enjoy your life with family and friends. May what you enjoy is the freedom to go where you want and when you want without the “responsibility” of a house and family.

Understanding that we are all meant for different things and have, different internal drives; lifestyles, goals, passions, talents, etc. goes a long way in helping us live a more stress free, frustration lessened life. Pursuing what we love as a means of work, may actually be harder and initially takes up more time, but due to the internal drive, we feel less stress and any frustrations seem to be minor.

What we feel is freedom and freedom having freedom creates a sense of direction. Having direction and moving toward that direction means that you have an end in mind and are willing to do what it takes to reach that endpoint. Doing what it takes to reach that endpoint requires the engagement of your full personality; your emotions, your intellect and your will – your soul.

If you’re going to pursue the American Dream, make sure that it’s your dream and you’re doing what you love. And if you're doing God's will, those things will automatically fall into place.