Several years ago, a neighbor enthusiastically recommended a book about the dangers of false hope and the power of pessimism. Its message? Lower your expectations, prepare for disappointment and save yourself the trouble of being surprised when things go wrong.

As someone who's spent decades encouraging others to live inspired, I remember listening to him describe the book, seeing the despair in his eyes and thinking: I am never, ever, ever reading that freaking book!

I thought about him, and that book, last Saturday morning in Tucson, Arizona. Let me explain.

Jermaine Wilson went from serving time behind bars to serving his community as mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas. Once caught in a cycle of crime and incarceration, Jermaine transformed his life through faith, forgiveness and a commitment to helping others. Now an author, speaker and founder of Unity in the Community, he reminds others that their past doesn't have to define their future.

Today, Jermaine shares how a powerful moment of forgiveness in prison changed his life, the dreams he pursued while incarcerated, and his unlikely journey from lawbreaker to lawmaker. He also reflects on rebuilding his family, breaking generational cycles and finding purpose in serving the community he once harmed.

My friends, no matter where you've been or what you've been through, your story is still being written. If you need a reminder that it's never too late to change, find forgiveness and build a life of purpose, this conversation is for you.

As a kid, I was terrified of the dark.

I dreaded going into the basement alone, didn't like taking the trash out at night and hated when the lights went out at bedtime. I wanted light! And candidly, I haven't changed that much!

Most of us long for light. We want hope instead of despair, encouragement instead of criticism, and someone to illuminate our way when the path forward seems uncertain. In a world that disagrees on just about everything, we all agree our communities could use more light these days.

That's why I love the story of this month's On Fire For Good honoree, Emily Osweiler. Let me explain.