Our monthly dose of optimism centers on a new book by John Kasich, former governor of Ohio. His book, titled Heaven Help Us, is an antidote for the seemingly bad news and anxiety that is prevalent today. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that good is not only happening in America… but flourishing in the fertile soil of churches, synagogues, and mosques. His book chronicles real-life examples of humility, forgiveness, and kindness. He encourages readers to stay hopeful, seek a higher purpose and believe that goodness can thrive in a divided, uncertain world.

One of his chapters is from right here in our backyard in Toledo. In 2017, a loosely connected group of Muslim physicians teamed up to provide free medical services to uninsured patients. The Halim Clinic has grown substantially from its humble start and is a tremendous healthcare resource for countless people, and now they have even opened a dental clinic. The word Halim is an Arabic word that carries many meanings and speaks to the wisdom, patience, and gentle forbearance of their faith and the belief that they must be ever ready to help alleviate the suffering of those around them.

Another chapter tells the story of Sister Mary Scullio, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, an international community of Roman Catholic women. She has been described as a force of nature in Philadelphia who has made it her mission to end homelessness in her city. Her mission started modestly when she worked at a soup kitchen while studying at St. Joseph’s University in the 1970s. Through the decades, she has raised millions of dollars and started an organization called Project Home, which provides over 1000 units in 20 locations to help people get over addiction and address homelessness. More than 95% of the thousands of people they have helped over the years do not return to homelessness. Her humility runs deep. One of her great quotes is “it doesn’t matter who you are or what you are, I have something to learn from you and you probably have something to learn from me.”

One of the best stories introduces the reader to Hal Donaldson, known as the “Hope Whisperer” who runs a charity called “Convoy of Hope”, which is a faith-based humanitarian and disaster-relief organization that currently feeds more than 571,000 children worldwide each day, and has served more than 250 million people worldwide since starting in 1994. Their growth is in part due to Hal bringing together many different religious congregations to pool their efforts. He credits the enormous impact his organization has had with one of his famous quotes: “You can’t do these things alone; you can do so much more when you bring others along on your journey.”

There are dozens more chapters like this of real-life heroes who are helping our country…and making the world a better place through their faith, persistence, and hard work.

Specifically, he makes the case for:

• The importance of a moral compass and how that guides us in our decisions and actions, using our faith and conscience as reliable anchors.
• The power of small acts, and how everyday kindness and decency are all around us.
• The role of hope and optimism. He illustrates that there are good people all around us, and goodness and positive change are plentiful. You just have to look for it.
• Serving others selflessly, he stresses the importance of humility and generosity, and the book gives great examples of how people are making a difference in both small and big ways.

One of our favorite quotes from the book is “kindness isn’t weakness, it’s the quiet, steady strength that holds the world together.”

If you need a break from the news cycle of doom and gloom, read a few chapters from Heaven Help Us. You will be glad you did. I wish you all a Happy Easter and belated best wishes for Passover, Ramadan, or however you celebrate kindness, humility, and love in your life!

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