1851

<p>Candy Chang says that thanks to her TED Talk, more than two million people have watched her cry. It was the first time she spoke about Joan in public, and saying her name triggered a rush of memories&#8212;the day she had a conversation about love in a Detroit caf&#233; or the satisfaction in her voice when she talked about her garden.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">You see, Joan&#8217;s death was sudden. The Before I Die project was a way for Chang to make sense of the aftermath. She avoided thinking about death most of her life&#8212;in part because we&#8217;re often taught to avoid it. But when Joan died, she couldn&#8217;t escape it any longer.  Chang was forced to feel a deep gratitude for the time she&#8217;s had. It also brought clarity to the things that are meaningful in the present.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">But maintaining that perspective every single day can be hard&#8212;it&#8217;s all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, and forget what matters. So, with the help from old and new friends, Chang turned the side of an old abandoned house in New Orleans into a giant chalkboard, and she stenciled it with a fill-in-the-blank sentence: &#8220;Before I die, I want to&#8230;&#8221; Anyone who walked by could pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their life and share their personal aspirations with the rest of the world.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">She wasn&#8217;t entirely sure what to expect from the experiment. But the next day, the wall was entirely filled&#8212;and it kept growing.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;Before I die, I want to plant a tree.&#8221;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;Before I die, I want to live off the grid.&#8221;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;Before I die, I want to hold her one last time.&#8221;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;Before I die, I want to be completely myself.&#8221;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">This once neglected place had suddenly become a constructive one, and people&#8217;s hopes and dreams made Chang laugh out loud and tear up. Total strangers were also there to console each other during tough times.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;It&#8217;s about knowing you&#8217;re not alone; it&#8217;s about understanding our neighbors in new and enlightening ways; it&#8217;s about making a space for reflection and contemplation, and remembering what really matters most to us as we grow and change,&#8221; Chang said.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uebxlIrosiM&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ted-talk-tuesday-before-i-die-i-want-to-4108" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to watch the full TED Talk.</a>&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div>

1851 Franchise

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uebxlIrosiM

Candy Chang turned an abandoned house into a giant chalkboard asking a fill-in-the-blank question. The answers became an unexpected mirror for the community. 

TED Talk Tuesday: Before I Die I Want To… 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

ted-talk-tuesday-before-i-die-i-want-to

United Water Restoration Group

image of water restoration group Air Force veteran Nathan Sherman

Is United Water Restoration Group the Right Franchise Opportunity for First-Time Business Owners?

united-water-restoration-group-first-time-business-owners

Paris Baguette

image of Paris baguette franchise owner success

The Recipe for Success: A Step-By-Step Guide to Opening a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-process

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Image of Onigilly restaurant franchise Reports Record 2025 Growth in Fast Casual

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen Closes 2025 With Record Sales Growth and Expanding Franchise Pipeline

onigilly-franchise-2025-growth-fast-casual

Pool Scouts

Pool Scouts Franchise - 2025 Annual Convention - Dallas TX - 1851 Franchise

Pool Scouts' 2025 Conference Sets the Stage for the Brand's Next Phase of Growth

pool-scouts-2025-conference-recap

Home Halo

image of a home halo franchisee elder care business owner franchisee

Why Home Halo Franchise Owners Don’t Just Run a Senior Home Care Business — They Lead a Local Care Company

why-home-halo-franchise-owners-become-local-care-leaders

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

TED Talk Tuesday: Before I Die I Want To…

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS