Growing up in Montana is both a blessing and a curse. Montana, I might get scolded for saying this, is bland. But not in the sense that you think. It isn't the scenery that is bland because let me tell you... the mountains take your breath away, the sky makes your soul feel safe and the rivers, creeks, and lakes make you feel some type of way. But the peopleare bland.

Don't get me wrong, I have met some amazing people in Montana but I have also met close-minded, ignorant people and it isn't their fault.

I wouldn't want to leave Montana either if I never had to.

But I did have to, and I am thankful for that.

Everyone needs to leave where they grew up. Whether you take a road trip to your old friend from summer camp's house 50 miles away for three days, or you take a 18-hour plane ride to Australia, you need to leave. If you never leave, never meet new people, never explore, how are you going to learn anything new? They always say that you act like the five people you spend the most time with. Why not meet five new people everyone once in a while? You need to learn how to be on your own and to think for yourself.

How are you ever going to find out what a Shari's tastes like unless you leave your safe haven of a home town? How will you know that your mom is the best beer pong partner that you've ever had until you get drunk in Mexico? How will you know that the most colorful trout you've ever imagined are in the Little Laramie River? How will you know that Kerry Park in Seattle, Washington, is the best skyline view you've ever witnessed? How will you know that Jamaican's care more about having a cell phone than a home? How will you know that Fernie, Canada, has the best Thai food that you can find outside of Thailand?

How are you going to learn anything different if you keep doing the same things? You're not a tree, you can get up and go where ever you want!

I grew up with a dream of going to college out of state. It wasn't like I didn't like Montana, but I always knew in my heart that there was more for my eyes to see and more places for my feet to walk than the streets of Bigfork, Montana.

With the next school year coming, and all your friends leaving soon, doesn't that give you the urge to leave, too?

Now that I have left the place I grew up for a long period of time, I am thankful for where I grew up and I appreciate home. Leaving makes you want to take advantage of things at home. But I also appreciate traveling. I appreciate having the freedom to go where ever I want and with who ever I want.

If there is one main reason to leave where you grew up, it is for yourself.