Hope

Rich Follett

Backstory

Rich Follett has been writing poems and songs for more than forty years. His works have been featured in numerous online and print journals. You may well have heard him perform acoustic folk music at venues throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

One of Rich’s CDs received the following review from Amazon.com: “Rich Follett’s melodies are not only soothing to listen to, his lyrics speak right to your heart with feelings only he seems to be able to put to words.”

Some of those words are quoted in today’s story.

Rich Follett

We all seem to be reaching for answers. We don’t like the things that are happening. We want things back the way they were.

That will never happen. The typewriter will never return. You’ll never dial to use the telephone. Appliances no longer have simple knobs that read “on” or “off.”

There are apps for every conceivable purpose. Dancing is now calisthenics to music. There is fear and stress in the world. There is danger, never before felt.

It makes some people unhappy and turns us whiney. It causes others to reach into their soul and find strength.

My friend, Rich Follett, reached like that and this is what he decided, and I quote: “That which is beyond our control is likely to remain so. What remains to us is to continue looking for opportunities to use our artistry and humanity to bring beauty into this weary world. When I die, it will be with a psalm on my lips, love in my heart, gratitude in my soul, and a spirit attuned to hope. These things can never be taken from us unless we release them; I am one who will never let go!”

May you know peace of well-being and face tomorrow with love, understanding and hope. Like Rich does.

P.S.

Rich’s CD recordings are available at www.richfollett.com. He lives with his wife Mary Ruth Alred Follett in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he is a Middle School Theatre Arts teacher and pursues his interests as a professional actor, playwright and director.

[Show #626]

The Sunshine Poem

Backstory

Some of the stories you hear on Consider This are written by someone else. Mason Jars by Amy was featured recently and had a tremendous response from listeners and readers. This week, we feature another piece by a listener. I wonder if Suzanne will remember this poem, written decades ago. Listen in.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

The Sunshine Poem- #455

Suzanne sent in a little poem that she wrote on May 10, 1991. For whom was it written? See what you think. It goes like this –

Grant me a little bit of sunshine,
Promise me a little bit of hope.
Have faith in me,
Even though you might feel that I’m wrong.
For if you stand behind me,
I know I can be strong.
And if you stand beside me,
I know I can succeed.

A beautiful intercession showing someone how important they are to the writer. A cry for understanding and acceptance. The words seem to echo what we all desire from someone we care for.

Listen again and let the words sink in.

I don’t know for whom the poem was written. But I can tell the person must be special to be called on to play such an important role In the life of the writer.

It was written more than 20 years ago. I hope Suzanne went on to write out more such thoughts. They are well worth considering

P.S.

Musing on Suzanne’s poem, I hope that the person she addressed did indeed stand behind her and beside her. It sounds like that person gave her strength and confidence. What a blessing to have someone like that in your life. I hope Suzanne was so blessed.

[Show #455]

Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

Backstory – Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

We were listening to the songs from half a century ago, played by Craig Orndorff on Old Time Radio. Then songs from the 1980s came on. There seemed to be a thread through much of the music. Artists sang about the troubles of the time and how they needed to be fixed. Here we were, 30, 40 or 50 years later. Were those things fixed? Are we able to sing of the joy and sweetness of conquering the challenges? Asking those questions led to the story featured this week. Please listen in.

Consider This Show – Song from the 80’s – Make Things Better

Click to listen or follow below to read.

A song from the 1980s came out of the radio today; one of those oldies but goodies where you know every word and sing along. The lyrics were about how we simply HAVE to make things change for the better.

The words of the song applied today as eloquently as they did thirty years ago. How sad! Have we learned nothing from our experience?

Our values and preferences contain so many opposing views. Whatever suits one group infuriates another. We can’t seem to come together. Compromise seems out of the question.

We need leadership to bring us all back to a place where there is hope, because our current actions are tearing us apart.

What a challenge. Are we up to the task? Who will step in to take the lead? Will it fall into place after the next election? Or will it take someone somewhere speaking up to go viral and give a wakeup call that is heard around the globe?

Of course, our fear is that the wakeup will be a tragic event that could have been prevented if we had only heeded the words of the songs of the 1980s . . . or 90s . . or those that were sung at the turn of the century.

Or will the songs we sing today be the mantra of the next generation, and will they wonder why the words were never heeded?

[Show #616]