Attempting to Achieve

This past summer I went to the Crystal Cathedral in Anaheim, California. In one of the buildings, a giant steel quote sat on a white wall that asked: "What dreams would you dream, if you knew you could not fail?"
What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?

Dreamers

Please answer the following questions. Make sure to respond off one another; if you feel so inclined, please pose a question for others to ponder.

If you are a dreamer, do you have to be more careful/vigilant? Do the characters in Gatsby have a dream? Is idealism a way for people to escape reality? How might this be true for someone like Jay Gatsby/James Gatz?
Nick says to Gatsby, "You can't repeat the past." Do you believe this is true? Are there repercussions of bringing the past to the present?

Money, Money, Money

Please think about the following questions and write your response accordingly. Please respond off one another where you see fit. Please show depth of thought.

What are your perceptions of material wealth? Where do we see excess today? Do you believe money is the root of all evil? Is your financial status a direct reflection of how successful you are? Are we always wanting more? Is being content enough?

Success and Happiness

Please answer the following prompts- make sure you comment on at least one other person's response in your own refelction: (Make sure you show depth of thought and please edit!)

What is true happiness? What do you need to be happy? What defines success?

End your response by filling in this statement-Ten years from now, I will consider myself a success if....

Your Aspirations

Please respond to the following questions:

1) What are your dreams, hopes, or aspirations? What do you long for?
2) What will it take to get there?
3) What happens if you don't achieve them or get what you desire?

Emerson Aphorisms

Please cite the aphorism that struck you the most in Self Reliance. An aphorism is a short statment that expresses wise or clever observations about life. Please elaborate on its meaning and the overall significance and connection to you.

Contemporary Values

Please respond on one of the following:

1. Do you see evidence of the world views of the Puritans and Rationalists around you today? Think especially of debates about government, social welfare, and self improvement. Write down a few of your observations about Puritanism and Raitonalism in Americsn public life today. Give examples.

2. Consider the Purtian values in light of what you see often as the materilaistc, celebrity-crazed culture of America.

How many Purtian beliefs are still valued in America? Do Americans admire self-made people people who have built careers through hard work or do they consider get-rich-quick schemes a better route to security? Is modesty still a virtue, or has self promotion knocked it off its pedastal? Be sure to back up opinions with logical arguments.

Franklin Virtues and Rationalist Point of Views

Everyone must answer these questions:

What is your favorite Franklin quotation from his Autobiography? (Please cite the quotation in the text and comment on it).

What character traits did Franklin possess that made him a successful man? Make sure to elaborate.

Which virtue on Franklin's list do you think is most important? Why?