This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending one of the world's premium electric music festivals called Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). I'm sure some of you have heard of EDC: Las Vegas, which is the flagship festival of EDC, but I've spent the last two days in MetLife Stadium (technically in New Jersey, but close enough) and I witnessed something really inspiring.

Sure, I got to see some of the world's best DJs and listen to some great music, but I also got to experience a positive, encouraging, and tolerant atmosphere unlike any other I've seen. For one, there wasn't one person there that didn't look like they were having the time of their life. It was all smiles, laughs and, pardon the cliché, it was good vibes all the time. People are nice to you, they look out for you, and they go out to help you if you need it.

I was exposed to a custom in the festival life called P.L.U.R. It stands for peace, love, unity and respect. It's a quick "secret handshake" of sorts that people use to exchange bracelets called "kandi" and spread positivity. It's very simple. You see someone with some kandi on their wrist and hold up the peace sign (two fingers). They respond by touching their two fingers to yours and you both say "peace." Then you and your new friend make a heart with your hands and say "love." You then place your palms flat against each other and say "unity," and finish by interlocking fingers for "respect" and trade bracelets while you're holding hands.

P.L.U.R. is a ritual that embodies the atmosphere of music festivals like this. It lets everyone know that they're in a safe place where you can be yourself, enjoy life, and enjoy the company of others that want to do the same. The biggest thing I noticed is that people actually look out for one another out here. Someone looks thirsty, and they're offered a swig from someone's water bottle. Someone looks like they may have a little too much to drink, they can throw their arm over the shoulder of a stranger to keep their balance.

At the end of the festival, my phone died and I couldn't find my friends before we got back on the train. I was standing near the exit, combing the crowd for my buddies when a stranger approached me and offered his help. "Need help finding someone?" He said. I said yes and told him that my phone was dead. He then reached into his pocket and whipped out a portable phone charger so I could make a call. He stood with me and looked around the crowd while my phone charged, and when it did, I made a call and all was well. We exchanged a P.L.U.R., some kandies, and parted ways with a smile. For me, EDC left me with a newly restored faith in the human race.