Grammy® nominee and children’s music artist, Lori Henriques, wrote a song honoring President Jimmy Carter. When she met to share her music with President and Mrs. Carter, Henriques experienced the compassion and joy Carter exudes. “Last year I wrote a song for Jimmy Carter from his point of view,” she said. “Deep research into his life and philosophies went into every lyric of ‘A Kinder Way.’ When the opportunity to sing for the Carters arose, I got on a plane to Atlanta.” Arriving at The Carter Center from her home in the Pacific Northwest, Henriques felt the Carters’ uplifting spirit and emphasis on human dignity reverberating throughout the halls and in the people working there. “Sitting across from President Carter, looking into his eyes while singing the song, was one of the most emotionally powerful experiences of my life,” Henriques said. She discovered how “he is truly present in the moment.” Henriques confirmed what the thousands of volunteers and people whose lives he has helped must know—and most of us suspected—that the best-selling author, Nobel Laureate and long-time champion for human rights and world peace “has an ability to connect with other humans that is really something.” You can hear Henriques’ tribute to Jimmy Carter here.

When fall arrives there’s a collective feeling of, well, falling back into place: school resumes, family schedules become routine-ish, summer vacations are still-warm memories, and the holiday calendar spreads out before us. One trick is to use this 4th quarter to reassess and regroup. Why wait until January to reconfirm our resolutions—or set new ones? Take some time, a few deep breaths and an honest look at your goals and relative actions. Where and how have you hit the mark? Relish the accomplishments. And when you’ve fallen short, what’s the quickest path to get back on track? Or, perhaps an old goal is no longer relevant. Let autumn’s shorter days and falling leaves gently remind you how fragile life is and help you find perspective on what’s important. Be kind to yourself. Then take those steps that will benefit you, your family and the environment we all share. There is power in now.

Force For Good’s founder, Jonathan Sprout, has been inspiring others for more than 35 years. His Grammy®-nominated music, high-energy concerts and personal commitment to empower others has fueled an award-studded educational children’s music career that has touched thousands of lives and includes more than 6500 lifetime performances and 12 original albums. His American Heroes series—featuring multi-layered instrumentation and engaging musical biographies of outstanding men and women—teaches kids the differences between celebrities and heroes.

Sprout says his desire to ignite positive change has always been strong. In fact, it was after reading a nationwide poll detailing children’s top 10 heroes, “which included cartoon characters and several professional athletes whose off-field antics were anything but heroic,” Sprout asked the question: “Who are our real heroes and why are we not teaching our children about their importance?” 

Force For Good: Music that Makes a Difference

Singer-songwriter Sprout says his dedication to “shining a light on uplifters” has naturally evolved into Force For Good. “Inspired by the heroes’ exemplary lives, many fighting for social justice and reforms, I found a growing desire to focus more on the actual issues,” Sprout says. While he is “allowing the process to unfold” as he expands his horizons (including his fulfilling a long-desired goal to play piano), in his customary immersive style, Sprout is propelling this new project by expanding his artists’ palette: creating original piano compositions and corresponding films—each telling a story to illuminate a pressing global concern. Perhaps Sprout’s Lullabies for a New Age foretold this transition. In her review of the CD, Lynne Heffley wrote “A synthesized mix of new age music and simple lyrics… (including) soothing instrumentals, ending with a beautiful tune aptly called ‘Peace.’” (Los Angeles Times).

Force For Good’s first album, Passions, will be released February 2020. Beginning every month following, Sprout plans to reveal one of the topical films he’s created for each instrumental composition. He hopes other organizations will find ways to integrate these inspirational pieces into their work and to help bring awareness to many worthy causes, individuals and groups of note. It seems that Sprout’s personal passions are summarized in Force For Good’s mission statement: “Our mission is to inspire and empower people. We create uplifting music and films that encourage personal and global well-being, happiness and respect for the environment. We are optimists who promote peace, safety, equality, and compassion for all.” In a time of increasing tensions and challenges, Jonathan Sprout’s work inspires introspection, action and hope.