The Flash Mob That Wasn't

In an effort to raise awareness about our Meaning of Life campaign and inspire positivity around our city, the Nationlight Productions team has been holding "Life is Awesome" positivity protests around the city.  We've had a pretty good turn out each time - which basically means the team and a few of our friends show up.  Even though there aren't many of us (yet) we have been getting a great response from most people that come through our rally.

Drivers honk and wave, people walking by offer supportive smiles and ask what we're working on.  Some people join in on the protest, making signs about what they love, flashing them fearlessly, along with the rest of us.  Even the police have been supportive. After park rangers told us to leave Rittenhouse Square a police woman came to our defense saying, "These people aren't demonstrating, they are just trying to make people smile." Then she crossed the street to where my party was situated and with her head bowed and hands in prayer, she offered up a "NAMASTE."  It was pretty awesome.

It was my idea to do a Flash Mob for the last event before the campaign ended.  (FYI, this was not our last positivity event - we will be continuing the protests, so please get in touch if you would like to join!)  I believed that if we worked really hard to spread the event info throughout the entire city and we performed our protest during rush hour at the Art Museum circle, we were sure to get some attention.

But the rain came and the people did not.  

It was me, a borrowed speaker and a sign that said, 

"HONK IF YOU LOVE LIFE." 

When I got there the channel 10 news van was waiting with the camera pointed at the art museum steps... I'm pretty certain it was because I, along with several others, had tipped them off about the possibility of a "flash mob" at 6pm.

I stood by my car in the parking lot for 30 minutes waiting for 6:00 to come.  I knew the rest of the team couldn't make it due to sudden unforeseen circumstances, so if it was to happen, I was going to have to go at it alone.  I waited, unsure if I was actually going to go through with it by myself.  Something kept telling me I had to...it felt hypocritical to promote this cause so loudly and then not follow through.  Plus the rain stopped and the sun came out immediately at 6pm so I took it as a sign that I must go forward.  

I mustered up as much courage as  I could,  grabbed  my speaker and 2 signs and set up atop the fountain.  

For 45 painful minutes I waved my sign and danced to the songs on my Fountain Protest Playlist.

People stared, others gave me the thumbs up sign, one guy asked me on a date.  At one point the cameraman turned his camera from the art museum steps and aimed it directly at me, so, maybe we got some news coverage?  Or maybe a crazy dancing girl with a neon green sign got the coverage... Hard to tell. 

I  was so relieved when the playlist ended and I could be done with my solo act,  I wrapped up and jet back to my car as fast as possible...but when I turned my key to start the engine, it wouldn't turn over.  The battery had somehow died. I headed over to the group of bocce ball players who had watched my shameless display for the past hour and asked if anyone had jumper cables (also torture.)  Someone offered up cables and after a team of us pushed my car to a spot that enabled engine access, we jumped my car, I thanked the crowd and drove immediately to the liquor store to buy my favorite rosé.  

It was painful, but even so, I don't regret it one bit.  It was also extremely empowering. I haven't done anything that bold since high school.  And if I'm asking others to be bold, I must ask the same of myself.  

Dancing solo around the fountain probably won't be happening again any time soon, but I will continue these positivity efforts because I truly believe small acts can make a big impact over time.  If you believe the same then consider for a moment what accomplish if we all work together.

Taken by a random photographer as he strolled by my demonstration.   He found me online after searching "honk if you love life, Philadelphia"  I'm so grateful to have a picture to document the memory.  Thank you Taric El Herrero!

That said, reach out if you would like to be involved!

Check out our video from our first Positivity Protest!