Before I die

First, please go to the bottom of the post and play the embedded video as you read this post. It's applicable. I promise.

Video of the day - Candy Chang: Before I die, I want to ...(http://www.ted.com/talks/candy_chang_before_i_die_i_want_to.html)

Thumnail quote -"Preparing for death is one of the most empowering things you can do. Thinking about death clarifies your life.” (Candy Chang)

Why I chose this video - Isn't that something we all think about? We all have our 'bucket lists'; all the things we want to do and see and accomplish before they are no longer an option. I, personally, have never written mine out but I definitely have a running list in my head [and my heart]. It's something I'm scared of, part of why I'm doing this challenge - because I'm terrified that if I lose momentum I will miss out on or forget or never get around to accomplishing my dreams.

Summary - In an effort to connect with her neighbours and neighbourhood (in New Orleans), Candy has started community initiatives to improve her area and the residents lives. She has used simple tools like stickers on vacant buildings asking people what they want to see there. One of her initiatives was to turn an abandoned house into a giant chalkboard with the statements "Before I die, I want to ..." and then there was space, and chalk, for people to fill in the blank. It filled up - "finish school", "straddle the international date line", "plant a tree", "be somebody's cavalry", "hold her one more time", and on and on! She talks about knowing you're not alone, reflecting on what really matters, and realizing how similar we all are. 

My Take-Away - Wow. Besides the fact that this emphasizes how similar we all are (in that we all have dreams and aspirations) it really got me thinking. If I have to boil it down to one thing, what do I want to do before I die? There are so many things! Travel the world, have a family of my own, get a master's degree, work for an international group, learn to have more patience and compassion, make my family proud, and, and, and ... I was walking back from my parents' place and thinking on this, and I think I can summarize it like this: Before I die, I want to make an impact on the world in which I live. I have to admit I almost giggled when the thought crossed my mind - what a crazy idea! There isn't exactly a manual for how to go about doing that, no set of step-by-step instructions; but maybe that dream is made up of all of my other hopes and ambitions. 

The song below is one I first heard about a year ago. The words are powerful, and hard, because they demand action. They demand courage and strength, things I often feel I lack. And yet, I love the song because it is a challenge. A demand for me to do something more - for me to give it my best; my real best.

Candy finishes up with this statement: "People around us can not only help us make better places, they can help us make better lives." I love that, because it's basically what this challenge is all about. I am watching videos about other people and their lives and, through it, trying to better my own.

So, I must ask: What do you want to do before you die?