Who Has Achieved the American Dream?

            As I said in my previous post called, The American Dream, I said that the American Dream is specialized by each individual. I also talked about a Christian organization called “Young Life” that tries to help others learn more about Jesus Christ (Carmel Young Life). One of the leaders of the organization in Carmel, Mark Spiegal, is who I think has achieved the American Dream. This is why.

            Mark is someone who radiates joy. I have always had an amazing time doing something when he is around. He’s a very humble man, who can also deal with so many different situations. Mark always has a smile on his face; if he doesn’t, he is helping someone with their problems and trying to get them to smile. The craziest thing about him is that before he worked for Young Life, he was almost at his American Dream. When he was in high school, he was a very good soccer player. He said one time that he did so well in high school that he was offered to play on a professional soccer team in the MLS. But the doctors said he had too many concussions from bumping heads with other players. He is now not allowed to play soccer competitively. Not only was he devastated that couldn’t play the sport he loved, but he also had constant headaches and migraines every day. Almost everything he had planned for his future was crushed. Yet he found his true calling; his real American Dream.

            After he had told me his story, I didn’t know what to say. After a few moments he then told me and a few others that this was one of the greatest things that happened to him. He told us all about how he doesn’t care about the migraines. When I heard this, my jaws dropped. First of all, how does someone so joyful have such a terrible thing occurring every single day?! This absolutely makes my head spin. Mark Spiegal has achieved the American Dream because he is doing what he loves, and serving others.