A New Home?

"Are you willing to relocate?"

I came across this question updating my professional profile and I stopped to think about that for a second. Am I willing?

Relocation can be a scary thing for many people. Where will I live? How will I make friends? Will I make friends? What's the economy like? Cost of living? The list goes on.

I found myself pondering these same questions several years ago. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, I knew nowhere else. Then, an opportunity came up that I had been working towards. "Well, how does Alabama sound?" I was asked. Sure, relocation had already been discussed and I was mentally prepared, or so I thought. After it was official, though, those same questions swirled around our family, many unknowns to be discovered. I knew Alabama was warmer than New York, that the people talked a little different, and that was about it! Didn't know much else.

Fast forward 5 years later. Now, I can truly say that it was one of the best things we've ever done, a real success for our family. Sure, we had our challenges along the way. It was hard at times and we had to make many decisions on our own, some good, some not so much. After all of it, today, I find myself more capable, more confident, more willing to take on unknown challenges, more well-rounded in my personality, and more adaptable to changing circumstances. All in all, it's helped me and my family to grow as a unit and has benefited all of us personally, economically, socially, and spiritually.

To all those contemplating relocation, I can confidently encourage you that it's a great avenue to grow as a person. You will find yourself capable of doing things you never thought you could. It opens up so many new adventures, opportunities, and relationships that you never would have experienced otherwise.

"Are you willing to relocate?" Make the answer Yes. Take the leap. You won't regret it. You will be a better person for it.