DailyThought #1 - Park Walking

I was surprised yesterday. I worked all day with plans of going into the park to ask people what music means to them - and to take a video of their response. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little nervous. I don’t know anyone here; and no one knows me. To be honest, I was expecting most people to be paranoid and threatened by my asking them to be on film. My paranoia was trying to talk me out of making them video as I swept the floor behind people. After I saw people continue to throw a few more pieces of trash off their table, the spot I just had cleaned, I knew I had to make the video. Because it stood for more than the topic. It stood for a continuation of hope. Hope I have in myself; and the desire to combine my passion and profession, through people.

I biked to through the park - tired and sweaty - and saw people all over. Biking, running, walking their dogs… my heart began to race. As I forced myself to walk among the people, I saw a woman holding her guitar. I ran to catch up with her and asked her if she would be willing to talk about what music means to her. Her eyes lit up, and she said of course. Everyone who said yes was more than happy to share the importance of music in their life; and everyone said no, did it politely. I believe there is more good than bad to be found; the bad is just more memorable, it’s scary, and it’s scaring. But, above all, what I believe to be most harmful to a person that is scared of others, is isolation. As I walked through the park yesterday, asking people what music meant to them, I ran into a group of young men. Honestly, I thought they would brush me off, but again, I was wrong. With happiness, they invited me to a little outdoor concert and gathered up their friends which ended up consisting of most of the video. There is one thing that is more beautiful than music, and that is people. Find your community.

Hona by Boubacar Traoré