The pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus once said “change is the only constant in life.”

And boy was he spot on.

So in the spirit of change, here’s the news: my family and I are moving to Fargo, North Dakota.

“No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear.” – C.S. Lewis

Grief, ah glorious grief.

I don’t deal well with grief, but my family and I are in the thick of it.

Grief is defined as a response to loss. Grief is the loss of someone or something, to which a bond or affection was formed.

While the possibilities are endless in Fargo, my family and I are absolutely grieving and heartbroken to leave our home in the Twin Cities.

We love our amazing house, we love the Twin Cities, our neighborhood, and our neighbors. (Especially TJ, Kara, and the Fitzpatrick clan) We’ve established a strong bond to the Twin Cities metro and our home.

And just because we grieve our life-change, doesn’t mean we hate Fargo. On the contrary.

It is perfectly okay to grieve life-changes and be emotional. You should be emotional. You should grieve. This is a very normal part of life.

In his best selling book, The Emotionally Healthy Church, author Peter Scazzero talks about how most people “stuff” their emotions, refusing to grieve their limitations and their life circumstance. I tend to agree with Peter, as most people I know stuff their emotions, refusing to be transparent.

I choose to be different. My family chooses to be different. We want emotional freedom by getting “stuff” out in the open.

By doing this, an important result happens: this grieving allows us to move forward, be challenged, and grow.

So, while we’re heartbroken and grieving, we are definitely hopeful, and excited to get to Fargo.

The compelling case for Fargo.

So, why Fargo?

My company is based in Fargo, so that’s the first answer to why.

But the more important reason for our move is about something larger and much more passionate.

Before I tell you what that larger passion is, let me ask you a question:

Have you ever wanted to be a part of something so incredibly special that you would take a risk? A once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity? A pursuit that drove you with ultimate excitement?

Something bigger than you, like a cause, or something with profound meaning?

That’s what I’m experiencing with the company, I work for and work with, BNG Holdings.

They are something special. We have something special.

The owners and our team are scary-smart. And those of us who are willing to sludge through the growing pains of a small company, and stick with our chaotic-creation for the long run, will achieve incredible professional satisfaction.

So the first reason is a job. (although I’ve never once considered what I do as a “job”, rather I consider it an honor and privilege)

The second reason is I want to be a part of building something special. You should want this too.

Drinking the kool-aid.

Fargo is quite the unique and eclectic community. I’m definitely enamored with it.

Despite the windy weather climate, it’s actually aesthetically awesome, with solid schools, restaurants, and opportunity for outdoor activities.

And let’s not forget about the Bison of North Dakota State University, (NDSU), who have won four national college football titles.

Did I mention they’ve won these titles four years in a row?

There’s also lots of commerce in Fargo, with 10 Fortune 1000 companies based here.

Here’s a quick rundown of the businesses that call Fargo their nesting-place.

• One of Microsoft’s largest campuses is located in Fargo.
• Sanford Health, a large regional healthcare provider, is based here, with a new campus coming soon.
• Case New Holland, a farm equipment company, is based here.
• McGough Construction, a Twin Cities based commercial builder, opened an office, expanding to Fargo.
• There’s even some great ad agencies located in Fargo.

Fargo-Moorhead has a robust and expanding population of approximately 250,000+ thousand and there are multiple tech companies, SMB’s, and manufacturers located in or near Fargo.

The point: Fargo is growing quickly, and my fascination with Fargo has me gulping the flavored drink mix.

“Take risks. Life rewards the risk takers.” – Kevin Spacey.

In the never-get-old novel, Outwitting The Devil, by Napolean Hill, Hill has a candid question and answer style interview with the Devil himself.

In the third chapter, Hill asks the Devil to describe his most clever tricks to controlling people.

The Devil’s responds by saying “One of my cleverest devices for mind control is fear…the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age and death.”

Any risk can be scary and fearful. Like moving.

And there’s no doubt I’m taking a risk by moving to Fargo. (I’d argue it’s a pretty low-risk)

But if you sit down and really think about all your daily decisions, each one is a calculated risk to some extent. Some choices and decisions are higher risk than others, but nonetheless, each decision has risk involved.

That said, I want to buck the status-quo of being fearful and not taking risks.

Growing up I was taught to play it safe. I was taught that the path to success was getting a four-year degree, being risk averse, working for a large company, and saving a little bit of money for retirement.

That teaching couldn’t have been more wrong.

Take risks. Life rewards the risk takers. – Kevin Spacey, keynoting the Content Marketing World 2014.

I want to take a risk, be uncomfortable and punch fear in the face. I want to leave a legacy that teaches my kids, and others, that life is about taking risks and it’s okay to fail and fall down.

Moving my family to Fargo, so my family can be together, as well as allow me to collaborate in our growing company is totally worth the move. I don’t consider it a risk at all and I refuse to be fearful.

As a matter of fact, I feel extremely grateful to even have this opportunity.

Are you stuck?

If you don’t happen to have a unique and amazing opportunity as I do right now, you may feel stuck.

And if you feel stuck, as I once did and even as Jon Acuff once did, you’re either losing hope or wanting to get un-stuck.

In Jon Acuff’s new book, Do Over, he talks about his many life transitions and experiences. Experiences like moving multiple times, ultimately settling in Nashville, and having 8 jobs in 10 years.

More importantly, Jon talks about how you can take advantage of your current situation in order to get un-stuck and start doing awesome work.

Acuff then talks about life transitions. One of the transitions he writes about is is getting a surprise career opportunity, requiring dedicated hustle to take advantage of it.

I feel like I’m in a similar position and I’m stoked to take advantage of it.

What Jon is experiencing in his career life is similar to what I’m experiencing now. It took Jon Acuff 16 years to figure out how to call a Do Over on his career and I can completely relate. Did I mention I’m stoked?

Do you need a Do Over on your career or life and do you want to get un-stuck? If so, read Jon’s book. Seriously, it will change your life.

But most importantly, take a risk to put yourself in a situation that will allow you to move to Fargo. (Metaphorically speaking)

For years I was stuck, and for the first time ever, I don’t feel stuck. I feel energized and refreshed.

And the move to tropical Fargo is only the beginning of my journey from heartbreak to hope.