Before I die I want to... | Candy Chang

Summary

The speaker reflects on the importance of sharing personal aspirations and memories within public spaces. Inspired by the death of a close loved one, they created a chalkboard on an abandoned house where people could write their hopes and dreams. This project not only brought the community together, but it also highlighted the power of public spaces in fostering reflection and connection. The initiative has spread globally, emphasizing the value of time, relationships, and maintaining perspective on life and death. The speaker concludes by stressing the importance of using shared spaces to express what truly matters.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Community engagement through public art** can create meaningful connections and foster shared experiences.
• 😀 Using simple tools like **stickers, stencils, and chalk** can transform public spaces into places for reflection and interaction.
• 😀 The initiative **‘Before I die’ wall** allows people to publicly express their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
• 😀 Reflecting on **one's life and mortality** can provide clarity and help prioritize what truly matters.
• 😀 **Shared spaces** can serve as powerful platforms for **collective reflection** and community storytelling.
• 😀 **Community projects** inspired by personal experiences, like the loss of a loved one, can lead to positive changes.
• 😀 **Public art** can turn neglected spaces into **constructive and meaningful areas** for people to gather and reflect.
• 😀 Thinking about **death** encourages us to live more **authentically** and with purpose.
• 😀 **Time and relationships** are valuable resources, and public art can help communities **connect** and **reflect**.
• 😀 Preparing for **one’s death** can be empowering and **clarify** life’s priorities, fostering greater community bonds.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to create the 'Before I die' chalkboard project?

The speaker was inspired by the loss of someone close to them, Joan, in 2009. The experience made them reflect on life and death, leading to a desire to create a space where people could reflect on their own aspirations and share them publicly.

How did the speaker transform an abandoned house into a community project?

The speaker turned the side of an abandoned house into a giant chalkboard, stenciled with the sentence, 'Before I die, I want to ...'. This allowed passersby to share their aspirations and dreams in a public space.

What kind of messages did people write on the chalkboard?

People shared a variety of personal aspirations, such as 'Before I die, I want to be tried for piracy,' 'Before I die, I want to plant a tree,' and 'Before I die, I want to be completely myself.' These messages ranged from humorous to deeply meaningful.

What was the reaction to the 'Before I die' chalkboard project?

The chalkboard quickly filled up with messages, and the project resonated with many people. The speaker received hundreds of messages from people around the world who wanted to create similar walls in their own communities.

What does the speaker believe is the power of public spaces?

The speaker believes that public spaces can be powerful tools for reflection and connection. By sharing hopes, fears, and stories, communities can foster greater understanding and create more meaningful, supportive environments.

What two things does the speaker consider the most valuable in life?

The speaker identifies time and relationships as the most valuable things in life. They emphasize the importance of maintaining perspective on these things in the face of life's distractions.

What is the significance of thinking about death, according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that thinking about death is empowering because it clarifies what truly matters in life. By confronting mortality, individuals can gain clarity about their values and priorities.

How did the 'Before I die' project spread to other countries?

The speaker and their civic center colleagues created a toolkit to help others build their own 'Before I die' walls. As a result, the project spread globally, with walls being created in countries such as Kazakhstan, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina.

What does the speaker mean by 'maintaining perspective' in life?

Maintaining perspective means staying mindful of what is truly important, particularly when facing the distractions of everyday life. It involves remembering the brevity of life and staying focused on meaningful relationships and experiences.

How does the speaker describe the role of the community in shaping better lives?

The speaker believes that sharing with others in public spaces helps create stronger connections and better communities. By collectively reflecting on our lives and dreams, we can build environments that support personal growth and a shared sense of purpose.