Before I die...

What do you want before you die?

Those of us in the Lehigh Valley have seen vast improvements in the City of Allentown over the past several years. There has been a surge of urban revitalization efforts to clean up streets, renovate existing buildings, new construction of office buildings, apartments and restaurants.

When Billy Joel released the song Allentown in 1982, he lamented about the area closing factories, and a restlessness that made it hard to stay in the area. Well, Billy - look again...the city has plenty of streetscape improvements, beautification projects, an arena district, office towers and mixed-use buildings and lots of new apartments.

If you haven't been to downtown Allentown in a while, you'll notice new venues and lots of new artwork and murals to brighten up downtown.

One of the rotating artwork exhibits is a participatory public art project called Before I die...originally created by artist Candy Chang in New Orleans after the death of a loved one.

Before I die...is a global chalkboard-style wall where visitors write their own, "Before I die, I want to _________ reflections.

The Before I die...art currently resides along the Path at 932 Hamilton Street in center city, Allentown along with several other murals and colorful works of art:

While I love all the art and talented artists that have graced the city with their works, the intent of this post was more philosophical. If you are downtown and get a chance to see the Before I die... exhibit, you'll see the usual drivel that accompanies this sort of public display:

Before I die...I want to FART.

Before I die...I want to (fornicate) with bitches and marry.

Before I die...I want to eat (you get the idea).

But once you look past the dumb ones, there's a lot of insight, sadness and contemplation in the world:

Before I die...I want to find LOVE.

Before I die...I want to be somebody.

Before I die...I want to be better than yesterday.

Before I die...I want to die trying.

Before I die...I want to beat addiction.

Before I die...I want to live true to myself.

Before I die...I want to find peace with God.

Personally, I've lived a pretty full life so far. I've traveled to over 20 countries, rode a camel and then climbed a pyramid in Egypt, cliff dived in Cuba, sailed from Miami to Bermuda and then took a plane with pontoons instead of wheels home. I've given speeches to 3,000 people, maintained a small farm, coached a soccer team and then became Travel Team Coordinator for 1200 kids. I've owned a Harley, gotten an undergrad and master's degree, visited the Grateful Dead house and the world's crookedest street in San Francisco. I've been to countless shows and sporting events. I've flown in a military helicopter, served in the Navy on a guided missile destroyer and had the privilege of leading a world class team of professionals. I've ridden in a Pocono racecar.  I've studied Buddhism and philosophy, gotten a tattoo, started a scary conversation with the toughest guy in a bar. I've been blessed with three wonderful children who make me so proud and am fortunate to be married to my best friend.

When you raise the question, before I die...I want to..., It gives me pause. What do I still want in life?

There are things on my bucket list that probably aren't going to happen. I've gotten to the point where I don't see myself skydiving, visiting Japan or meditate in an Indian sweat lodge. Probably won't be learning any new languages. Guessing I won't master rock climbing.

When you get to a certain point in your life, you stop feeling the need to fill it with THINGS. Time becomes your greatest commodity. I want to be remembered for the good that I did rather than the things I screwed up. I want to continue to have experiences and learn new things every day. I want to learn to forgive my enemies and find peace in my own skin. To take life at face value every day.

I'm curious though...Depending on where you are in life, your goals and aspirations are probably different than mine. Are you happy? Are you pushing yourself in the direction where you want to be? Are you eliminating the things that are keeping you from attaining your goals? Are you aiming for that star?

What do you want before you die?