In February 2011, Candy Chang a New Orleans artist was struggling with the loss of someone she loved. She took the side of an abandoned building and made a wall where anyone could fill in the blank “Before I Die, I Want to_________________________”
Since that time, this project has gone global. There are at least 1000 walls in 73 countries translated in 36 languages. The website, http://beforeidie.cc will give you more details as well as pictures of the walls all over the world.
A number of years ago I came across a wall in Asheville, North Carolina. The messages were as varied as each of the individuals who took the time to ponder and write their wish. I have had the opportunity to work with many people who are facing challenging life transitions and loss. Whenever we face loss, we directly recognize the fragility of life and our own mortality. That perspective – that life is finite has the potential to bring clarity to what is truly important. Perhaps the universal appeal of the Before I Die wall speaks to this truth. Maybe we don’t have to face a crisis to begin to define what is important to us. Making that proverbial “Bucket List” is a project that even those who are young and healthy can begin to define for themselves. Taking the time to figure out what is really important to you is life affirming.
We are a society that works to avoid the topic of death. It is as if we don’t talk about it, it will just go away. Talking about death is not only important, but has the potential to make your life more vibrant. When we stop and accept our mortality, we can experience life with more intensity. That intensity is not always pleasant, but it is real . It is Life. It is important to not keep waiting until later to focus on what you might want to do with your life and energy. Life can change in a minute!!
Standing in front of the wall, I wanted to write what was really important to me. Having just been blessed with the birth of a granddaughter that week, I was focused on wanting to be a part of her life for as long as I could. My wish was I wanted to “live to see my granddaughter graduate”. I imagine that if I were to come upon another wall at another time, I might choose something else to write. But right there at that moment, my wish was focused and clear. Clearly how or if I will achieve my wish is a more difficult question, however, there is something positive and life affirming to write my goal down. Writing my wish and desire on a public wall made it real and clear. What would you write on wall?
What do you want to declare as your goal Before You Die? I keep thinking that I would like to have a wall in my city. What about where you live? Maybe we can all create and set our intentions as to what really matters to us before we die.
