I will admit to being someone who has never feared important decisions. I became a cattle farmer for ten years after graduating from Harvard. That took me to what many would describe as a Canadian wilderness.
When we left the farm, I went to work for Apple Computer, first in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, then Columbia, Maryland, and eventually Roanoke, Virginia. All those moves were challenging, but at some point in the process, we had weighted everything that we could and had to either move forward or stay put.
We always moved forward, and I do not think we have any regrets in spite of having to face many unknowns in our new areas.
It really is impossible to know what the future will bring. I try to invent as much of it as possible myself, but that is about as far as you can go.
My family and I have enjoyed a broad experience of living in places as diverse as a farm in rural Canada and in the planned community of Columbia, Maryland.
A little over four years ago, I decided that I had one really important dream left. I wanted to live on the North Carolina coast. Even after finding the right area, the challenge of finding a home that matched our needs and budget was great. On top of that I had to build a new career in the collapsing field of real estate.
None of this has been easy, but we have managed to do it, and our lives are richer for having done it. Twenty five years ago, we could have easily stayed on our two hundred acres of farmland north of Fredericton, New Brunswick.
I seriously doubt that my children would have had the opportunities that they have seen if we had done that. I know I would have missed some wonderful experiences along the way.
So when considering whether to move or stay, do not forget to factor in what might go right. If you look just at the downside, it is certainly hard to see the positive.
Also do not forget, not everything can be measured. Sometimes the only way to figure out the water is to jump into the pool.
