By Lucas Compan, a Dreamer and a Maker In New York City
New York has been The City Of Dreams for nearly four centuries. Explorers, travelers, entrepreneurs, immigrants, Americans from other cities, Native New Yorkers, and all sort of dreamers come to New York City to make it happen here. Fred Ebb, who wrote the lyrics of the classic song 'New York, New York' might be right when he sang "If You Can Make It There, You Can Make It Anywhere. It's Up To You..."
Watch this mindful 'Real Dreams' by Lucas Compan
Growing from Peter Minuit's tiny settlement of 1626 to one with more than three million immigrants today, New York City has always been a magnet for transplants from all over the globe. It is only fitting that the United States, a "Nation of Immigrants," is home to the only world city built primarily by immigration. More immigrants have entered the United States through New York than through all other entry points combined, making New York's immigrant saga a quintessentially American story.
In his book "City Of Dreams,"Tyler Anbinder shares his vision about New York City: "This City of Dreams is where the young man from the Caribbean who relocated to New York and became a Founding Father; an Italian immigrant who toiled for years at railroad track maintenance before achieving his dream of becoming a nationally renowned poet; Russian-born Emma Goldman, who condoned the murder of American industrialists as a means of aiding downtrodden workers; Dominican immigrant Oscar De La Renta, who dressed first ladies from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama."
Over ten years in the making, Tyler Anbinder's story is one of innovators and artists, revolutionaries and rioters, staggering deprivation and soaring triumphs. Today's immigrants are really no different from those who have come to America in centuries past—and their story has never before been told with such breadth of scope, lavish research, and resounding spirit.
I am sharing this story to encourage you to do whatever you want to make that thing you have been dreaming about for a while, that goal you postpone again and again – to just make it happen. Just go there and do it. No matter how old or young you are, if you have the money to start it out or not. Just Do It. The first step is the most important one. The rest comes as the story unfolds. Work hard and smart toward that goal. And have faith.
Dream and make it happen. Have big dreams. This is the story of an Italian girl who had a dream: visiting New York City.