Make it happen

"Wouldn't you be happier somewhere else?"

During a conversation about local art, music, and culinary culture, I was asked, "Do you want to stay in Bismarck?"
"Yes. Why?"

"I just feel like you'd be happier somewhere else; somewhere with a more vibrant art culture, and more of the things you really enjoy."

While discussing coffee, I was asked, "Where are you from?"
"Here. But I lived in North Carolina for three years."
"You seem like you're from a big city."

While these discussions are not new, and are as a matter of fact fairly frequent, these two were very close together, and forced me to put a part of my mission to words.

Why am I here? Why don't I go to a major metropolis, where there's a vibrant art community, great local music scene, and tight nit coffee community already in place? Why don't I move to Seattle, or Portland, or Minneapolis, or New York City, or Atlanta, or Charlotte, or Raleigh/Durham, Chicago, or even Fargo or Grand Forks and fulfill my dreams of being a coffee professional/writer/artist/photographer/designer or any combination of these?

Think about this: Why isn't the art community as vibrant in Bismarck? Because everyone who has the dreams I do has done exactly that – left. North Dakota, even Bismarck has so many people who love the things I do, and want the culture I want, but they give up and leave or resign themselves to the idea that there will never be any class, culture, or industry (besides farming) in Bismarck. Those who leave have come to the conclusion that there is no hope for this town and go somewhere the culture is already established (ironically, they then have to do less work).

Think of another thing: How did the culture you seek get established in the places we all expect it? People like you, people like me, founding it. They didn't leave when they didn't find what they wanted, they made it happen where they were.

Here's my mission (at least part of it): I want to be a part of the establishment of the art culture in Bismarck. I want to help the people who are actively pouring the foundation for the structure of our art community. I want to build the coffee community I seek. I choose to stay here because I'm not satisfied letting someone else put in the effort while I reap the benefits of their labour of love. I want to labour in the things I love. I want someone else to reap the fruits of my labour. I want to offer something to the people who love this city as much as I do. I've been told it's a pipe-dream, a utopian fantasy that can never be made real, but I've seen it elsewhere, because someone had a passion and made it real. Why leave when I can make it happen?

Think about that for a minute. Where are you now? Are you satisfied? Are you ready to leave at your first opportunity because your community doesn't offer what you desire? How about this: you offer your community something. You shape the community. You have the creativity and passion to do it, and I guarantee there are others; find them.

Make it happen.