We’ve just returned from a visit to Helvetia, West Virginia where two dear friends had passed away within a couple of weeks of each other. Both lived long amazingly rich lives that touched a great many people. We came home tired, thoughtful, amazed, sad, inspired…and slowly started back to work on ‘the improvised life’. As often happens, we stumbled on something that resonated deeply with what we’d been thinking about: Candy Chang’s public art project Before I Die. Chang found a derelict building in New Orleans, painted its sides with chalkboard paint and stenciled the question “Before I die I want to____________” ; she left spaces for people to fill in with chalk. Says Chang:

“It’s a question that has changed me in the last year, and I believe the design of our public spaces can better reflect what’s important to us as residents and as human beings. The responses and stories from passersby while we were installing it have already hit me hard in the heart.” 

……Chang identified a great question to ask yourself periodically…

What are the most important things you want to do in your lifetime?

Read more about it at Candy Chang.

via Design Milk

Related post: the appalachian trail (2200 miles in 5 mins) + we’re gone!

rules for living: just one from pablo picasso

 

 

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One thought on “before i die I want to___________

  1. beautiful post…the last week or so of posts have been really touching…sweet vulnerability and kindness….thank you

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