Before I Die

In New Orleans, a lady named Candy turned the outside of this abandoned house in her neighborhood into an interactive work of art. Candy lost a loved one and it turned her head to thoughts of her own life and death, what would she want out of it? She was also curious to see what others wanted out of their lives. She made the side of this house into a giant blackboard and paint stenciled the words "Before I die..." in rows with an open line beside the unfinished sentence. Pieces of chalk lie along the side walk, waiting for people to pick it up and write what they desire to before they die. The answers left range from humorous hopes, occupational ambitions and deep wishes of personal fulfillment. The wall reveals the deep desires of people who wish for this one thing to happen while they are still on this earth. People of all ages, ethnicities and social classes have stopped to unveil what they want to accomplish before their time runs out.

Some examples of things that have been written on the wall include, "not live an average life", "tell my mother that I love her", "be someone's cavalry", "know true joy", "find Atlantis" and "be completely myself". The individuals who have written on this wall are letting their insecurities be known and letting their hope come through. Having their wish on a wall, open to the world, but anonymously is a wonderful gift to those who write on it. It is also a gift to those who seethe words and are inspired by them.

When I saw the website for this wall, it got me thinking about my life, what I have done and what I want to do while I am still here. I do believe in life after death, but I realize that there are some things that can only take place on earth and the relatively short time that I have here. Examples of things that went through my head were in four categories. First I thought of my personal life. I know that before I die, I want to have a family of my own. Then I thought about my career goals and how I would love to dance professionally or be a curator for a theater New York. Then my mind was filled with all sorts of silly little things, some possible and some that are not. Some examples are trying every flavor of Ben and Jerry's, climbing Mt.Everest, visit every continent, and master levitation. I also have some cheesy things like seeing worldwide peace, being able to forgive and be forgiven, live with complete abandonment and to not care what other people think.

I hope that you will take time to look at the website and see all the many very touching, humorous and inspiring things that people have written. Look at the wall and then ponder to yourself the things that you want out of your life before you die. When you have your list, sort it out into the things that you have control over and the things that you do not. I would then invite you to take charge and make the things that you can control before your time is up. I have lost loved ones and have wondered what they could have done or what they would have done differently if they just had a little more time. Looking at this wall really made me take a step back and evaluate what I want out of life, I hope it does the same for you.

As far as responses go, just tell us about your bucket list. What do you want to do before you die?

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/198bOF/:THVwp0cO:SHkQHI8d/candychang.com/before-i-die-in-nola/