When Donte and I met up to shoot the first day it was very spontaneous. We sort of just messaged one another on Instagram and said let’s meet up at this park and do this. That first day we shot was very short and sweet. I ended up having to leave in order to run some errands, but Donte and I agreed to try again the next day. On the next day we were more relaxed and Donte even brought some more friends along to shoot with. The day was very hot and humid. We could not seem to get a grove on things. The lighting was off for me, the heat was very distracting, and we just could not find a good place to settle and shoot. We stayed patient however, and kept moving forward. We did this all with song and laughter, And with just an over all good energy. When we finally found our sweet spot we were all so inspired and joyous. So much so that we all did not realize that we left all of our things just lying around at one side of the park. When we finally finished shooting we were all so happy and set to leave. So we go over to grab our things and we realize it’s all gone. Our things were stolen! 

Peace robbers! They came and took some very valuable things. They took Dontes favorite electric guitar, whom he was going to pass down to his children. They also stole his cell phone. They stole two sets of car keys and all the food we had. But who!? They were not very many people at the park that day. We were all completely devastated. We were all in such a great mood. We were all feeling a sense of peace, joy, and community. There were families having picnics, excerise groups, bestfriends chatting and catching up. We did not think to be robbed of our peace by outside forces. 

What I admired however, was the way we all handled the issue. First we accepted and realized the fact that everything was actually gone. Everyone then stayed calm and collected. And everyone helped one another through it all. Making sure that everyone got what they needed. We called the police. We started making phone calls to figure out how to solve this issue right away. We all waited for the police together as another one of us called Dontes phone to figure out where everything was. Another person in the group went around asking people at the park if anyone saw anything. We had no luck. The police came an hour later and told us they could not do anything because we left our property unattended. We all lost hope. What were we going to do now? 

So what do we do? We begin to sing. We were all determined to remain peaceful and positive. While others made phone calls to figure out alternatives we received a phone call from Dontes stolen phone saying that the items were found at a location not to far from the park. Donte heads out to go retrieve them. All the items were returned! Everyone got their items back. The only thing that remained missing was my set of keys and the food. Luckily I had replacements for all the keys that were lost. Everything was resolved. 

What I admired the most about the situation was the way it was all handled. We could have all moped, pouted, and become very upset. Instead we all made a choice. To remain calm and at peace. We all trusted that all would be well even when we lost all hope. I think it was that energy that brought the items back. It made me think. Outside forces will always appear to try and rob your peace. The important thing is the way in which we handle it. We have two choices. To remain at peace or to loose it. Never loose it. Never loose hope. Fight for it. Even when all hope is lost.