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The American Dream – I Wanna Be Just Like You

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

When Jason Crouch sent me an email from the "Family Ties" group, inviting me to the “Inspired By Song” group, and their contest, I got very excited about it, but didn't realize the affect my own post would actually have on me. LOL! Here's one I bet you didn't see coming, thought I'd change it up a bit from my usual style of post that many of you are getting used to. (or should I say sick of) LOL! When you think of the American Dream, what goes through your mind? The American Dream for me, may be different than for you, but it is still something we all relate to in our own unique and special way.

Having grown up in a musical family for the better part of my years, music has played a more than significant role in my life. While I was considering what to submit in this post, The “American Dream” is what kept going through my mind. It is such a common and widely used term. What does it really mean? I guess that depends on who you ask. Can the quest for the American Dream have alternate consequences? On the surface, I’d have to say no way, but after I saw this first video, it inspired me so much, I had to create the second video to go with it called, “I Wanna Be Just Like You.” The words in these songs are so powerful; they can gladly replace any text that I would have written in their place.

 I am dedicating this post to YOU and to anyone that will take the time to watch these. I also dedicate this to my family and most of all, my kids. This changed my perspective on things in relation to working so hard for the American Dream. It was like these songs and videos were written just for me, but I know they are for you too. :-)

I can't watch these without them emotionally clobbering me upside the head, EVERY SINGLE TIME! Maybe it’s because I am just like you, a hard working person, who is doing my very best to provide for my family. But maybe I was missing something very important in the whole process. In writing this post, I realized, just how much it has changed my entire outlook and focus on the "American Dream" now!

Even though I can really relate to this, it may not have the same impact on you, but I hope it touches you, even if in some small way. Thanks Jason for inviting me, and for helping me realize through your contest, what is truly important in the pursuit of the “American Dream!” This was a great “Lesson In life” for me. :-))

"American Dream" was written and performed by: Casting Crowns.

“The American Dream”

"I Wanna Be Just Like You" was written by Dan Dean and Joy Becker
It is performed by Phillips , Craig and Dean
The Video was produced at home with photos by Brad Andersohn

“I Wanna Be Just Like You”


Am I "Inspired by Song?" Absolutely and Positively YES!

My son always tells me, "When I grow up Daddy, I wanna be just like you!"  We are all touched in so many different ways by music, and to each of us, it's a personal and sometimes very emotional connection. These songs have had a huge impact on me and my life, I hope you'll enjoy them too.

Music and Life will be forever entwined, I am so grateful for what it does in, to, and for our lives!

Comments(144)

Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Pattie - I thank you and hope your Holiday Season is a safe and Blessed one!  :-)
Dec 08, 2007 11:25 AM
Sally Zatkoff
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making a Difference

Seeing this a little late, but had to comment. Love it. Your son is adorable. I remember my son at that age and it is frightening how quickly the time passes. God Bless!

Dec 09, 2007 12:58 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Sally - you could never see this too late!  They do grow very quickly. I take lot's of photos to share and hopefully hand down one day. Thanks, and God Bless You too!  :-)
Dec 10, 2007 12:52 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Don - if you feel like the guy in the American Dream video, you're not alone!  I think it's an eye opening video that causes us to stop and think about what's really most important in our lives.  The American Dream is only a Dream until we realize who and what matters most!  Then the dream can become a reality!  :-)
Dec 15, 2007 03:18 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Maybe I should just repost this for Fathers Day!!  :-))

Jun 13, 2008 04:59 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Written almost a year ago, it's funny how this morning I had to go searching for this post just to get my own message for myself. I had to find this post so it would help ME put things in perspective once again.  Did you ever think you'd be writing a Blog post for others when really it was written for you, by you?  Sheeez, that's some deep and powerful stuff.  Gotta wipe the eyes now and get to work!!  :-))

Oct 15, 2008 02:28 AM
Dona Reynolds
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO
St. Joseph MO

Brad-Thanks for the wonderful video/music of you and your boys, it is very heartwarming to see such a great family.  Enjoy the boys everyday...........as tomorrow may never come.........We all love you and your family and all your hard and dedicated work for your Active Rain family.  Have a great Thanksgiving with your family.

Nov 25, 2008 02:56 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Dona - that means more than you know to me us.  My boys and family are my life, and so is AR!!!  Have yourself a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, and feel free to come by and say Hi anytime.  The door is always open to you.  :-)

Nov 26, 2008 04:41 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Thanks for posting this in, "Christianity and Real Estate", Brad....

Music affects us and changes us in so many ways...maybe that is why my dad wanted us to think about what a song was communicatiing...not just listen to it...

;-)

Nov 27, 2008 06:56 AM
Wayne Warshawsky
RE/MAX Four Corners - McKinney, TX
Realtor, ABR,IRES,CDPE,SFR Your Texas

Loved the vid of you and your son.  Great post!

Nov 28, 2008 03:25 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Alexander - I can't tell you how many people that little video has had an impact on. I am blessed that folks DO listen to the words and not just the music. The message is so powerful, and I hope in some small way, my son and I are making a difference in the world with that video message, one life at a time.  We are both truly blessed by it!  Thanks my friend.  :-)

Nov 28, 2008 03:42 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Wayne - thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it, we are touched in a very special way everytime we watch it.  :-)

Nov 28, 2008 03:43 AM
Gene Mock
Associate Broker ~ Premier Team, KW Realty - Leesburg, VA
GRI, CRB, CRS, ABR, CIPS, TRC, SFR, SRES

this is a beautiful song - I have not heard it before.  Great job on the video. 

Nov 29, 2008 01:56 AM
Kathy Kooyman
Home Realty - Pella, IA

Brad,  all I can say is wow, thanks for the reminder of how important it is to have our prioritie straight.  We could all easily work 24/7 in this business

Nov 29, 2008 02:15 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Brad,

Two great selections!  I love that you are a great Dad to your boys, and this song really puts it all into perspective.  You are the example for your son Brandon, and he will grow up to be a strong man because of the way you are raising him.  It's nice to see that you are sharing so many wonderful moments with him and creating great memories for him to cherish!  Thanks for sharing!

Nov 29, 2008 07:47 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Gene - thanks. I enjoyed this post, one of my favs for sure. :-)

Nov 30, 2008 07:14 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Kathy - that is a fact!!  I'm already doing the 16/7 thing,  but working hard at it to find the proper balance. :)

Nov 30, 2008 07:16 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Michelle - thanks, that was very nice of you to leave that comment.  It meant a lot to me.

I hope that one day when my sons grow up, they will look back, remembers these times, and do the same types of things for their kids.  That's my ultimate gift and reward...    :-)

Nov 30, 2008 07:21 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Brad - I just had to stop by to say that your son is beautiful and precious - God's masterpiece. Your video made me wish that someday, my 14-month old son would say that about his daddy.

Dec 02, 2008 02:18 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Loreena - thank you, and one day he will.  This is a very heart touching song between my son and I.  We both cry everytime we watch this video or hear this song.  It's always tears of joy of course, but tears none the less. :-)

Dec 04, 2008 02:17 PM