Like many Iowans, I spent my younger years daydreaming about getting out of Iowa as soon as I had the chance. I came up with excuses for myself, like “Iowa is boring,” or “there’s nothing to do here” or “it’s just so plain.” Sometimes, we get so caught up with what we think we want, that we forget to value what we have. If you’re anything like me, there were times you wanted to leave Iowa. But for every reason to leave, there is an even better reason to stay, and here are 10 of them:

1. When you longed for the bright lights of the big city ... but realized a view of the starlit sky was far better.
Brian Abeling/Facebook
2. When the ocean called your name ... but the Iowa landscape truly spoke to you.
Melanie Trewin Jencks‎/Facebook
3. When the bitter cold winter almost drove you away ... but then spring came, and the world bloomed.
TumblingRun/Flickr
4. When you wanted to get out of that small town where everyone knew your name ... but you realized those people were the ones who cared.
Don Graham/Flickr
5. When you complained about how boring Iowa was ... but realized that it's anything but.
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6. When you thought Iowa was plain ... but realized how beautiful, and magical, it really is.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
7. When you aspired to surround yourself with the rich and famous ... but realized that your true friends and good neighbors make for better company.
Travis D/Flcikr
8. When you yearned to look up and see skyscrapers ... but realized an empty horizon to watch the sun set was worth so much more.
Whitey Anderson/Facebook
9. When you hungered for the rush of big city life ... but were reminded how nice it can be to slow down.
Shannon Tripp/Facebook
10. When you wanted to go everywhere and anywhere but Iowa ... and found yourself missing home.
Carl Wycoff/Flickr

Sometimes, we get so caught up in life that we forget to appreciate what we have. Take some time today to slow down, and think about all the good things that life in Iowa has to offer. There’s a certain simplicity, honesty and goodness about our state – both the people and the land. There’s no place in the world like Iowa.

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