An art store in my town posted a black chalkboard on the side of their building. Scrawled across the chalkboard is one simple question: What do you want to do before you die? Then it leaves a blank space for people to fill in their answers.
Some responses are silly.
“Before I die I want to breed squirrels.”
Some are so sincere they make you want to cry.
“Before I die I want to love someone with all my heart.”
Some speak to the very core of our being.
“Before I die I want to realize my potential.”
So, I ask you, what do you want to do before you die? Is it something you would write on a wall?
To see pictures of the wall in Mount Vernon, Click Here.
Stacie Zinn Roberts is a nationally recognized, award-winning writer and marketing expert with more than 25 years of experience. She has won more than 40 national awards for her work including the United Nations Environmental Program for retail environmental marketing, as well as from organizations such at the Public Relations Society of America and the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association. She’s written for industry publications such as Golf Course Management, Sports Turf, Golfdom and PR Daily. She spent eight years as the president and director of marketing for Environmental Turf, where she developed the branding for SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum, the grass that eventually became the greens grass for the Rio Olympic Golf Course. Stacie served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Florida Turfgrass Association as Chair of the Research & Scholarship Committee where she worked closely with the scientists from the University of Florida’s turfgrass breeding program. Stacie founded What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public Relations in 2012.
Hello Stacie, thanks for letting me know about the chalkboard ‘Before I die I want to …’, in your town. This question was always there in my mind but never thought of giving expression to the thought. I have pasted on the wall ‘Thank the Creator and my parents for giving me an opportunity to pass this way and thank all those who made me feel happy even for a fleeting moment.” I pondered over the question long before I responded.
With best regards,
Rajabahadur V Arcot
Hello Rajabahadur V Arcot,
I’m glad you found the project to be as thought provoking as I did. We try so hard to avoid thinking about death that when faced with a question like this, it gives us pause. Thank you for your response.
Before I die I would like to become a full-time proofreader and copy editor instead of having to fit it in around my full-time job.
On a different note entirely, although having already travelled extensively I would like visit Equador and The Galapagos Islands, India, and more of Africa.
A question like this makes us get really clear on what is important. Seems to me, Sue, that you are on your way. Good luck!
Another good blog Stacie. It’s interesting to be able to read the wall and see all of the different things people want to do before they die. Some are silly like wanting to raise squirels, but some are really heartfelt. Like the one: “I want to travel to Paris and say “I Love You” to my Mom.”
Wow, I didn’t see that quote. Pretty powerful stuff!