Behind the Scenes: Exceptional

While filming Exceptional in the company of differently abled people, Force For Good founder Jonathan Sprout experienced “their gift of love. My heart was opened in their presence,” he says. “Differently abled people are forced to experience challenges most of us never know about,” he continues. “This, among the best of them, enables them to develop character traits that have led to greatness in insights and accomplishments.” He cites two famous examples: author and activist Helen Keller, co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union, and theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author Stephen Hawking.

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

— Helen Keller

“I have compassion for differently abled people’s unusual challenges, and appreciation for what I often see as a complete lack of self-pity and an overt sharing of love. It’s as though the difficulties they have undergone have brought them closer to the reason why we live: to love. Many seem closer to that understanding moment-to-moment than I am even in my deepest meditations. It’s as if they live in that state of love and acceptance that I aspire to,” Sprout says.

Sprout’s inspiration served as the catalyst to create his instrumental composition “Exceptional” from the Passions CD, and the corresponding film. The filmmaker, and his co-producer Rodney Whittenberg, hope that the smiles, determination and love depicted in Exceptional will inspire viewers to overcome their own personal challenges and to reach their goals with confidence, compassion—and love.

—Hillary Black, Editor

Growing The Organic Movement - Rodale Institute

Headquartered in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and with Organic Centers in California, Iowa and Georgia, “Rodale Institute is growing the organic movement through research, farmer training, and consumer education.”

Check out this blog post from the Rodale Institute on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) farmers and environmentalists here.

—Hillary Black, Editor

“If you do just one thing—make one conscious choice—that can change the world, go organic. Buy organic food. Stop using chemicals and start supporting organic farmers. No other single choice you can make to improve the health of your family and the planet will have greater positive repercussions for our future.”

— Maria Rodale

Our Majesty: Mountains

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” —John Muir, The Mountains of California, 1894

Force For Good cordially invites you to help us move mountains. Literally.

We’d like to move them into your heart and mind, to welcome the respite they offer and embrace their noble role in nature’s treasure box. Maybe you’re already an avid hiker, mountaineer or camper, or a hearty mountain dweller. Or perhaps you live within gazing distance where a stately range decorates the landscape. However close or far, you likely enjoy mountain gifts every day: 70% of Earth’s fresh water comes from mountains. Giant water towers, biodiversity cradles, natural wonders—these are celebrated in “Mountains,” Force For Good’s November music video premiere. [WATCH HERE]

“Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.”

Please enjoy “Mountains” and share it with others. Particularly during troubling times, nature offers a breezy balm. Whether a trip to higher altitudes or a local park—and what John Muir knew intuitively over one hundred years ago—time spent amidst nature has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. We hope FFG’s song-film “Mountains” provides some armchair therapy as it also inspires you to visit the mountains and help protect them for future generations. Reducing our individual carbon footprint is one way to make a difference; global warming has an alarming impact on glaciers and ice pack and the rich biodiversity mountains sustain. Also, there are many conservation organizations dedicated to preservation and education that deserve our support. Highlighted below are just a few of these groups and for more, see FFG’s Resources page here. We’d love you to share your favorite groups, too, here.

—Hillary Black, Editor

The United Nations, International Mountain Day, December 11, 2020.

2020 Theme: Mountain biodiversity – https://www.un.org/en/observances/mountain-day/

“The sustainable management of mountain biodiversity has been increasingly recognized as a global priority. Sustainable Development Goal 15, target four is dedicated to the conservation of mountains’ biodiversity in consideration of its global relevance. Biodiversity in all ecosystems is in focus, as the United Nations has declared 2021 to 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration …Celebrate this International Mountain Day with your community and friends preparing an event or joining the conversation on social media using the hashtag #MountainsMatter. Pass on some of the key messages, or share about the biodiversity in the mountains near you, or a photo of your favorite mountain.”

The Sierra Club – https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club/

Local chapters offer opportunities to get involved in grass-roots advocacy and share in organized outings. Founded in 1892, “the Sierra Club's first members, including John Muir, were originally focused on the conservation of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Since then, the Sierra Club has evolved into an organization that works to advance climate solutions and ensure everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.”

The Sierra Club Foundation – https://www.sierraclubfoundation.org/

The Sierra Club Foundation promotes climate solutions, conservation, and movement building through a powerful combination of strategic philanthropy and grassroots advocacy. The Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Sierra Club’s charitable environmental programs.

Appalachian Mountain Club – https://www.outdoors.org/

“Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. …The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors.

We envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life.”

Adirondack Mountain Club – https://www.adk.org/

“Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and responsible recreational use of the New York State Forest Preserve and other parks, wild lands, and waters vital to our members and chapters. …ADK is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for New York State’s wild lands and waters while also teaching people how to enjoy natural places responsibly.”