Doing All the Good You Can Daily

“Doing all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, for as long as you can.” My mother lived her life doing good daily, reaching out and serving others, following the Golden Rule, and the first and second commandments, to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Mother is at home with our Lord. Her beautiful life lived on Earth, her wisdom, and the way she led by her example influenced and impacted our lives. Following in her footsteps we continue to live our lives doing good daily, committed and dedicated to pass on her legacy to family and others. With that in mind I pondered what could be some practical, concrete, doing-good actions that anyone, everyone would do daily for the common good. Seeking guidance, I turned to Our Lord and Our Lady. I prayed without ceasing through rosaries, novenas and the Mass, immersing myself in the resonating homilies. Guided by the Holy Spirit I was led to create a list of 31 actions, one for each day of the month. With growing enthusiasm, it became clear to me the need for this resource to make our world a better place each day. 

For months I worked on the list and revisions. Seeking feedback, I conducted surveys, covering a cross section of careers, professions and lifestyles. I engaged individuals and groups at various events, business meetings, faith-based workshops, family and friends, all with very positive results. Participants believed that the actions when implemented would result in doing good daily. Through the list and my desire to honor my mother’s legacy, the idea of writing a book, “Doing all the Good You Can Daily” was born. My eldest granddaughter, Camille, was excited about the list. She put the suggestions into action and by seeing the dramatic and positive transformational results, she became a firm believer. I encouraged her to join me as a co-author of the book, and she agreed enthusiastically. We set out to create something magical, transformational and generational… and we have succeeded. In the book, each day’s action has selected scripture verses that offer added meaning. We have included hymns, songs, prayers, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and praying the rosary. The book also features beautiful artwork by my son Robert, a former student at John H. Glenn High School. The book will help others find purpose in life, and/or build on the purpose they are currently pursuing, knowing with God all things are possible. 

“Doing All the Good You Can Daily” is available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. Soon a notice in the bulletin will list the date when we will be outside St. Francis with books available for yourself, family and friends. 

These have been painstaking, trying times during the COVID19 pandemic. We have suffered losses, heartaches, trials and have had to overcome many obstacles. This book could not have been written at a better time. It will leave you feeling compassionate, caring, serving, kind, and fulfilled knowing that you’re making a positive difference loving and living a life of doing good daily for the common good. 

“To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Yes, we have been given much from our parish of St. Francis. In the words of St. Therese “I will spend my Heaven doing good on Earth, I will let fall a shower of roses.” Please join in and let’s do good together. Heartfelt thanks and profound gratitude to Father Peter for the opportunity to share with you our book and its message. 

– Phyllis Pottinger