50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours - God Never Blinks

I liked this book and I found it really insightful and helpful. As I read I found myself marking pages so I could return and re-read that page. I have alot of pages marked! To me, that is the sign of a good book.

Renee Brett offers her readers a fresh, positive outlook on life's everyday encounters in God Never Blinks. Among the 50 lessons, any reader is sure to find some that will offer a new approach toward an unhappy or unfortunate life situation. My favorite is if you don't like how the story ends, change the story. I have bought several copies for friends. A great gift book. I enjoy reading Renee in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and now as a published author.

This is an amazing book for all women of any age to read. It made me laugh and it made me cry but it mostly made me glad to have read it and also to pass it on for many more to read. I would highly recommend it!

Our neighbor recommended this book and loaned us his copy to read. We couldn't put the book down, and after we finished reading it, we unanimously agreed that we wanted to own a copy because it is a book that we will read often. The chapters are short, so it is no problem to just read a chapter now and then. We also ordered a copy that we intend to use as a 'loaner'. We highly recommend this book.

This book is one of the best I've read. I gave one to my daughter & son-in-law, they plan to pass it on to their friends. I gave a copy to my niece who in turn is passing it on to her daughter who is undergoing cancer treatment. They have really liked the messages as I did. I originally read a borrowed copy and then bought 2 copies to share. I'm planning to order more copies.

This is a great book for people of all ages. I found it to be heartfelt, well-written and very inspiring.
I could have finished this book in one sitting, but had to force myself to slow down so I could properly savor each chapter.
I sent a copy to my niece for her college graduation and she enjoyed it as well.
I have already recommended this highly to all my friends.

I purchased this book for a friend who had recently had a Double Mastectomy. She, too, loved it and found it very inspiring.
I had received the book as a gift from my Son and daughter-in-law and thoroughly enjoyed it and will continue passing it on to others who might "need a lift."

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours
I Could not put this gem of a book down. I ordered several copies for friends. What I found especially interesting is that I received the book as a gift from my niece, a young teacher. Since I am retired and approaching seventy, I am happy to report the universal appeal of an inspiring writer,Regina Brett.

I purchased 3 of these because my friends, as well as myself, are raving about this book! She writes about life that happens to everyone and it's easy to identify with all of her stories. I highly recommend this book to all and it's a great gift for anyone who likes to read.

God Never Blinks is wonderful way to get common sense wisdom in small doses -- gives you some basics truths to meditate on during the day.

I am a member of a group of 5 women who meet bi-monthly to discuss a spiritually uplifting book. We have chosen this book for this year.

The book is WONDERFUL and I purchased 2 books. One as a gift and one to pass on. I passed it on to several people already. It is a good read for all ages and both male and female. There is no doubt something in there that you will definitely relate to.

This is an excellent book. I gave it to a friend who had just recovered from breast cancer surgery. She loved it! Said she felt the author writing her mind in leanguage that touched her at the deepest level. There was a sense of connectedness. She felt she was finally understood. It was part of her healing process!

Down to earth stories will touch your heart. Easy reading and inspiring. Regina Britt writes about her life experiences and how she dealt with feelings of insecurity and setbacks she experienced. Her faith in God, not religion, pulled her through and will inspire you to keep on!

This book was something you wanted to read a chapter and then put it down for a while a think about what it said--absorb. I took my time reading this and enjoyed it very much. I will keep it to reference back at times. Good read!!!

This book is an awesome easy read. Author gives you 50 little lessons for life. I have given this book as a gift to many of my friends. Everyone of them has commented on how much they liked this book.

Heard of the book from a friend going through a difficult struggle. She said it really helped her. I would agree it is an encouraging book and an easy read. Makes you think about your situation whatever it may be and does make you think differently. Will be getting copies for friends.

Interesting stories to tell us how God is always in our lives. Gentle reminders with, very inspiring stories!! I read a lesson a day, some days are better reads then others since they relate to my life a little more.

I thoroughly enjoyed "God Never Blinks" and have recommended it to everyone I know! It's a "Must Read," easy read, and can't put it down book. Can't say enough good things about it........one must read it for one's self! Order it NOW!!

I'm a 21 year old male, and while some sections of the book deal with single mothers and 50 year old 'difficulties' I still learned a lot of valuable lessons. I believe that everybody should read this book. I sent a copy to my mother as a gift as well.

I am enjoying the individual little essays of stories based on the author's experiences, but I expected more Bible based references as I was looking for something that could be used with a church group. However, I am trying to read one selection each day for reflection.

It is nice to have quick stories with a moral, of sorts. Some of the stories are too short and some of the messages are ones we SHOULD all know by now, myself being 59. None the less, it is still a nice read for a quick bedtime story or 2.

Wow! What a great book. Easy to read and very inspirational. I keep it by my couch so I can read a chapter whenever I need some inspiration. I've given it away to 3 friends and they all told me how much they enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

What a wonderful book! I look back through it often,just to feel good! If you have anyone that's been through a tough time and could use some good ole 'feel good' reading, then this is for them. Very easy reading...

This was one of the best books I have read re: self-help/inspirational. It is very easy reading and I could relate to every lesson. I have since given copies to two friends and suggested it to others.

I am buying this book for everyone I love. It is inspirational without being preachy. Love, love, love it!God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours

Leaves one wondering if the author has ever had a real personal relationship with God.
Very carnal viewpoint.

If you are looking for inspiration to go deeper into God, save your money. We have thrown our copy away, don't want to be spreading this.

This book was purchased on the store. Com

I found the book lacking in depth and far too personal in the examples and references. I expected a better balance between scholastic research and personal experiences. I am a female, so the stories were okay. But I would think the male population would not finish the book.

This is a little gem of a book. It is a quick read - the chapters are very short, but it is well worth your time.

The author Ms. Brett presents a good case for her positions, although it is not necessary for you to agree with them to enjoy the book.

The author put a lot of her heart and personal stories that make her experiences really hit home.

This is one of those books that you definitely want to purchase so you can re-read sections.

It is an uplifting book that has expressions of gratitude for all that life has to offer, along with encouragement to help face whatever comes along.

Here are some sections that give a great example of what to expect:

"A friend of mine signs her e-mails with a Leonard Cohen chorus discounting perfect offerings. She embraces her imperfect offerings of art and music, confident that any cracks in them let the light sneak in."

"I once heard someone say that prayer is more than words. It's a stance you take, a position you claim. You throw your body against the door to keep the demons from advancing and stay put until they go away."

"I've had a great life," he said through the oxygen mask over and over. "No one has had a better life than me." What a great claim to make on your deathbed. To wrap your arms around the life you lived and give thanks for it alone. No regrets. No what-ifs. No should haves."

I already have the book but purchased it as a gift for a friend for Christmas. I love the book, but I ordered it on December 5 th and received it after Christmas( too late to give as a gift). Not only did I pay $3.99 for shipping, but it was only delivered after I paid an additional $2.53 for postage. I had to also go purchase the book at Barnes and Noble in order to give my friend the gift I was planning on. I won't order another book from the store because of it.....

Every day begins with a brilliant sunrise, so why shouldn't we fill our day with beautiful things? This is another of Ms. Brett's jewels, and my favorite because one of the chapters, (they are all good) is about my dearest friend, Dr. Steven Barille. Although completely paralyzed in high school, he went on to become a board certified Neuro-Psychologist helping people who suffered neurological trauma. There are many things he cannot do, but there are so many things he can, and does do, to help others. Reading about what is nobel and fine helps me to keep balanced about what really counts, you might feel the same way. Enjoy!

Summary:
--------
This is collection of life stories and observations by Regina Brett -- cancer survivor, columnist, single mother (not ex-single mother). She provides 50 good pieces of advice backed by actual life events to help make the point for the reader. Current trends in US society could benefit from the lessons in this book. Regina takes a spiritual view of life and self to help the reader have a more centered life.

The spiritual elements come from Christianity and eastern religions -- "zen meets do the right thing to help someone else". The book is strongly geared toward women.

Format:
-------
The format is 50 chapters each about 4 to 5 pages long. The chapters are self-contained mini-fables/stories based on real life events.

Writing:
--------
The writing is eloquent yet very approachable. She has a nice conversational tone; as if you were talking to a close friend.

Content:
--------
You will find at least 75% of the chapters helpful to you at any given time. Each time you are having doubts about something in life; you should take a look at the chapter titles to see what you are missing in life. I really liked "Don't audit life. Show up and make the msot of now" and "Breathe. It calms the mind". Everyone has different challenges on any given day; try to realize this and do the best you can by enjoying life and sharing it with loved ones.

The content is not super deep or innovative but it is accurate. A friendly reminder to not take everything so seriously and just enjoy life is a good thing...especially in these trying times.

It is a wonderful book. The author made the chapters (aka Lessons) very short, easy to read, yet extremely educational. In a nutshell, the author shares all her life experiences and the wisdom that follow. The reader can always go back and forth between chapters, pick and choose any particular Lesson that attracts the reader. Or you can always read them all like you would normally read a book. However you choose, this book is worth every penny. I strongly recommend this book to every one, from high school graduates to those in their golden years.

I found this book to be an easy read. The chapters are only a few pages each and that works for what the book is trying to accomplish. The book tries to take the life lessons of a 50 year old women and recap them into small writings that can be easily read. I found most of the writings to be interesting but some did not seem to fit me at all. I started to loose interest after a while but kept at it to finish the book. It is a worthy book to read if you are at a point in life where you are trying to find a better path and approach to life. However, like me you might find some of the topics don't strike the right cord in your personal life.

I simply love Regina Brett's writing style, and I had a hard time putting this book down. There are 50 chapters/lessons here, but you can only absorb so many deep messages at one time...even if written in a an easy, down-home, very personal style. I sort of felt like I was talking to a friend. So this is a great book to read like a daily devotional -- a little at a time.

The writings/book evolved, she says, from having a rough time growing up and feeling like "God must have blinked" and missed her birth somehow. Then when she was 41, she developed cancer, and had that opportunity to sit back and reflect on life, putting her observations and self-encouragement to paper after realizing that God never did really blink and miss her at all. The titles of her writings, which are 4-5 short pages (small book), give you a flavor of how she writes: "It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it." "Make peace with the past so it doesn't screw up the present." "No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up for life."

Brett is very candid, and even talks about finding a sock in one of her pant legs one chaotic day, and about the special hat she wore after losing her hair with cancer treatments. She talks about her own life, and interspersed in her stories are quotes and writings from and about famous inspirational people. After each story, I felt that I got her message loud and clear, and that's my definition of a "great inspirational book." I will be buying more copies of this book for gifts.

Heard the CD version of GOD NEVER BLINKS: 50 LESSONS FOR LIFE'S
LITTLE DETOURS--written and read by Regina Brett.

If the name is familiar, it may be because you have read her list of "life lessons"
that have been widely circulated on the Internet (and that I ran in BLAINESWORLD
issues #661 and 662) . . . in this touching book, she takes each one and expands upon
it in a brief essay.

Brett, a CLEVELAND PLAINS DEALER columnist, has certainly lived
an interesting life . . . one of eleven children, she notes that she was a "lost
soul who drank too much at 16," unwed mother at 21, single parent for 18 years,
college graduate at 40, and diagnosed with breast cancer at 41 . . . she brings
each of these experiences into GOD NEVER BLINKS, and you learn from them--seemingly
as she did.

In particular, I liked what she shared about her friend Frank:

* He lives by two words: Get to, instead of have to. He says, "I get to go to work, instead
of I have to go to work."

I also liked this other bit of advice that she got from another friend:

* When in doubt, do the next right thing. So instead of always thinking about the big
picture . . . for example, your career choice . . . just get a college calendar and start
looking at some courses . . . or rather than lose 40 pounds, have a salad for lunch
instead of fries.

Lastly, there was this thought that got me to revisit what I'm doing right now:

* The most important day is the day you're in. So live the hell out of that day.

That's real good advice; in fact, it got me thinking that I now get to finish
this review--and then move on to some other things that I'm looking forward to doing.

Regina Brett is an award-winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The columns that comprise this book come from a series that she wrote after surviving cancer, but the inspirational lessons are applicable to everyone's daily life. Each chapter/column is brief and can be easily read and re-read whenever it's needed. The overall themes of are universal and not centered on any specific faith practice, although she does refer to her own Christian upbringing. Gratitude and appreciation along with not letting life get too heavy are the keys to many of the columns. Brought to life by the author's own life experiences, the lessons will stay with the reader.

Many other reviews have mentioned that the book skews heavily toward a female audience, but as a man, I respectfully disagree. I read Ms. Brett's columns each week and also found this book to be immensely interesting and inspirational.

Easy and entertaining to read, yet packed with a lot of common sense "why didn't I think of that" advice for living a more fulfilling day-to-day, I highly recommended this book for anyone who needs some uplifting (or knows someone else who does).

You're at a party. Or maybe you're at a work event. And somebody spends the night trying to convince you of who they are. They're trying to convince you that they are honest or highly creative or a really, really involved parent. To paraphrase the bard, "I think thou tries to prove themselves too much." Whenever someone tries hard to sell themselves, to sell you on a notion of who they are, they are almost always never that person. That's all you can take away from one of those ambushes with any certainty. Why do I bring it up?

This book is the exact opposite experience. Brett is never trying to convince you of anything. Story after story, she is nothing but humble and candid. It's really what elevates the book. It never reads too preachy and she never claims to know anymore than what her experiences have brought her. And, so many of her lessons come from those she has watched and studied over the years. Her time spent as a reporter works so nicely in this book. She is in every story, but never demands the attention or the spotlight. And, she never once tries to turn this into an "issues" book. She mentions her own terribly troubled past only when necessary and only in the increments needed to move the story along. This, I think, allows her own quiet yet clear voice to shine throughout. Simple, yet elegant. She must be one heck of a lady. She never tries to convince me of it, but it's what I walk away with. Nice, nice piece of writing.

Chris Bowen
Author of Our Kids: Building Relationships in the Classroom

God Never Blinks—50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours by Regina Brett is a collection of Regina’s thoughts she wrote in her newspaper columns that were quite popular with readers. It has very short chapters so it is a quick little read but full of great advice from someone who felt neglected growing up, held various jobs, and is a Cancer survivor. It is an inspirational read I enjoyed. I liked that all 50 lessons are listed right in front in the Table of Contents.

This book presents 50 life lessons that the author brings forth through experiences, revelations, and emotions. The writing is open, honest, and heartfelt. As I read through the book, I resonated with several of the stories, was touched by many, and did not (at this time) identify with some of the stories. My approach was reading one or maybe two lessons and setting the book down. My suggestion... read and absorb the experiences, take away what you need, and leave the rest.

The lessons are simple, very easy and digestible reading. I've seen some reviews scoff at the simplicity and complain about the lack of cookbook-like steps on how the readers should fix their life. This author does not presume to know how to fix someone else's life. She relates in a brutally open and honest fashion her experiences, her feelings, and what she took from them. We, you, all of us are so different, and so much the same... we hurt, we react, we need... so much. There isn't a book to fix that (well, for some the bible fills that space). This book, this experience is a sharing of life and, if you walk with this author through hers, perhaps you can take some of her insights and apply them into your life. It is that simple... and that beautiful.

Take away what you need, leave the rest.

I received this book as part of the the store Vine program, and both my mother and I have read and enjoyed it. Fifty short essays on 'life lessons'. All are written in a gentle, encouraging tone, and get the reader to think beyond themselves and towards the deeper, simpler meanings of everyday happenings.

This isn't the sort of book you keep to yourself - it's meant to be shared. I think it's appropriate for anyone 8 to 88 who can appreciate nice, inspirational, motivational essays that touch on our struggles, but also on the hope God provides us to learn and move through them. An excellent book to give to a friend or family member as a gift.

As far as inspirational books go, I find this one to be excellent in the advice it gives with regard to everyday life. Regina Brett is a cancer survivor and she learned a lot of lessons because her struggle but I have a feeling that Ms. Brett is the kind of person who sees the sublime in the ordinary and it shows in the gems of advice that she gives in this book. For example, the first lesson is "Life isn't fair, but it's still good." Unless you're the world's biggest defeatist, any one can see the truth to that statement. Some advice are on the extremely practical like,"Pay off your credit cards every month" or "If a relationship has to be kept secret, you shouldn't be in it."

Although book's title is "God Never Blinks", God is not referred to in all the lessons and this is not a book on religion but inspiration to hold your chin up, take care of your business, and grow a back bone. I thought that the title is a bit misleading because the lessons didn't always refer to God but it still quite Godly.

This compilation book by Regina Brett is based on a column she wrote in a Cleveland paper. Each chapter is therefore fairly short and conversational, like you might see in a "dear Abby" or that type of page. The commentaries are very personal, and chronicle various challenges she has faced in her life as a single mother, as a cancer survivor, as a woman. I find it's handy to have this book around, to pick up every once in awhile for a quick re-read of various chapters, just to try to keep things in perspective when i feel overwhelmed or down. It's a good reminder to myself that i'm not the only one with challenges, and that there are others out there who are strong and have persevered, as Ms. Brett has, that gives me a lift. This book reminds me a bit of chicken soup for the soul series, and if you like those, i think you'll like this book as well. Ms. Brett's experiences will ring true for everyone on some level, because we're all human. I highly recommend this book, and cheers to Ms. Brett for sharing her life with the readers.

The topics/lessons/chapters are common sense. But common sense is not that common. And it takes a great writer with so much life experience to scribe a book so readable and powerful as this. In short, highly recommended!

A friend in Louisville, KY forwarded me the first copy. She said, `You have to read these life lessons written by a 90 year old woman." I quickly scanned them and noted the name, Regina Brett, of the author.

Yes, it was the same Regina Brett who writes a column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I replied to my friend that yes the lessons were terrific but there was no way the author was 90 years old.

As someone who gets several hundred of non-spam e-mails each day, I was not surprised that I soon received dozens of messages from people sharing this 'nonagenarian's' wisdom.

Maybe the original e-mail writer thought the message would be more interesting if it was written by a more experienced person. Whatever the reason, the important thing is the body of the message, not the age of the author.

Regina Brett wrote most of these life lessons when she was 45, and added 5 more for her 50th birthday. Though editors weren't thrilled with the content, readers couldn't get enough of the simple but powerful lessons. This book consists of the 50 life lessons, expanded beyond a single line to 3 or 4 pages each.

Much of the power of the lessons comes from Brett's personal experience. She didn't have a silver spoon life. She was one of 11 children in her family. She had drinking problems in her teens, became a single mother at 21 and got breast cancer at 41. In between she has had other familiar trials and tribulations that life brings to most of us.

Since the author is a woman and the book delves into her personal life so deeply, many of the lessons are framed as if for a female audience. But the same lessons apply to the guys - maybe just in a different way.

Lesson 1 is `Life isn't fair, but it's still good'. Brett talks about seeing a baseball cap at a chemotherapy session that said Life is Good. The cap's owner was a house painter who learned to be grateful for everything. So instead of "I have to go to work" he thinks, "I get to go to work." The "get to" approach works in all aspects of life. Try it.

When the author's hair grew back she eventually gave the `lucky Chemo hat' to a friend with cancer and the hat has been passed around to countless people since then - all with great results.

Each of the 50 lessons gives a glimpse at how it affected the author. Often this will be directly relatable to something in your own life.

I had expected to read a few of the lessons and skim the rest. After reading the first few I decided to read all of them - one each day. But in the end, I read them in several large bunches as I didn't want to stop and was eager to see what the next lesson might be.

Whatever your approach to reading the book, you will find some ways to improve your life and your relationship with the people you share it with.

A great read from a 90 year old (make that 50!) first-time book author.

I didn't purchase my copy, it was bought as a gift. However, I looked for more from the store to send to friends. It's a wonderful book and worthy of more than one star. Full of insight, chuckles and uplifting.

Regina Brett wrote essays for her newspaper in Ohio, and soon found out that they were wildly popular. Filled with common sense from a woman who has lived to fifty (and beyond) and has learned some valuable life lessons along the way.

Regina Brett is a breast cancer survivor (which automatically makes her a kindred spirit) and is wise, compassionate and honest in her writings. Raised Catholic, Regina Brett did make some mistakes along the way, but as a result she gave us a road map that we can all follow, no matter what age we are.

Some of the lessons included in this book are:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
3. Pay off your credit cards every month.
4. The most important sex organ is the brain.
5. A writer is someone who writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
6. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
7. Over-prepare then go with the flow.
8. Always choose life.
9. What other people think of you is none of your business.
10. The best is yet to come.

This is just a sampling, and every one of these essays are beautifully written, full of humor and good advice. I did disagree with some things, such as I would never dare cuss God out, and Regina Brett says that its good for you to do that every now and again.

If you are looking for a book for a gift for college graduation, mother's day, father's day, or someone's 80th birthday, GOD NEVER BLINKS is certainly a one-size fits all.

Regina Brett long-believed that "at the moment she was born, God must have blinked. he missed the occasion and never knew she had arrived." The fifth of eleven children, she got lost in the mix. She was "a lost soul who drank too much at 16, an unwed mother at 21, a college graduate at 30, a single mother for 18 years, and finally, a wife at 40, married to a man who treated me like a queen." Then, at 41, she got breast cancer. It took two years for her to recover. At age 45, Brett wrote down 45 lessons life had taught her. At age 50, she added five more. Her newspaper, "The Plain Dealer" in Cleveland, ran the column. People all over the country began to forward the column. At some point in time, you have probably read these lessons and nodded knowingly.

Consider the book version of "50 Life Lessons" the expanded version of that well-traveled list. Brett writes from a place of faith. She sees God at work in her own life and the lives of others. In essays such as "Life Isn't Fair, but It's Still Good," "Life is Too Short to Waste Time Hating Anyone," "It's Okay to Get Angry with God. He Can Take It," and "Always Choose Life," Brett shares her wisdom and outlook on life. I dare anyone to read this book and keep dry eyes. These essays will speak to your heart and make you rethink your life. This is one of those books, like the original column, that will be shared among friends. A portion of the royalties of this book will support The Gathering Place which offers free services for anyone touched by cancer.

God never blinks. This is only one of the many simple statements that Regina Brett expands upon in her book.

If you have ever seen the incredibly popular e-mail that has circulated over the years, claiming that Regina Brett was a 90-something woman who wrote in to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, you will get the same lovely surprise that I did. The short, sweet and smart advice that was on that list is here in the book...written by the 50-something Regina Brett.

I have to admit that I was a bit shocked that a woman in her fifties could have come up with what sounds like the wisdom of a person who has lived a much longer life. It's no wonder that people attributed the clever statements to an elderly woman. Instead, the author has lived a very full life and has decided to pass on some bits of:

Common sense (Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does),
Faith (God never gives us more than we are designed to carry),
Relationship advice (You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree),
Healing (The passage of time heals almost everything. Give time time),
Worry (If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else's, we'd fight to get our own back)

and so much more...

I enjoyed the list of thought provoking statements completely on their own, but with Regina's quick accompanying stories there is even a greater impact.

This is an easy read, great to break into a chapter or two per day or to reflect on certain ones at appropriate times. It certainly is going to go to my daughter and her to friends as they face graduation and can use these lovely tidbits to get them started on the right path. It's much like having Mom or Grandmother to chat with at any time and give a reliable piece of well-earned advice. Excellent.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I would read one chapter and would have to keep reading and reading. Sort of like potato chips - they were so good you had to keep going. This book motivated me in so many ways. Made me look at life differently. I could relate so much to Ms. Brett's life story, as I'm sure many of you could. She grew up feeling displaced within her family (me, too) and had a life changing event of cancer in her 40's (me, too). The difference between her and I, though, is her new attitude about life and how she looks at people and things now. It really opened my eyes to the gift of life, the fact that God truly is there with us through all things, and that we can't worry about what others think. This book is something I'm going to read over and over again (so it will penetrate this thick head! lol) to remind myself of all the gifts I truly have in my life.

The greatest thing I got from this book was that I need to pursue my dreams. I want to be a writer - so write! This was one of the chapters of her book and it was almost as if she wrote it just for me. So much of the book felt that way. It's like having a really good friend take your hand, look you in the eye, and share the truths about your life in a very loving, funny way.

This book was a total blessing to my life and I know it will be to yours, too. I can't say enough wonderful things about it!!

Like some of the best support books God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours was born out of a simple written column. Regina Brett set out to share what she had learned in 50 years of life....making peace with a difficult childhood, finding and losing love, being a single mother, work difficulties, cancer, renewing a relationship with God, all very personal and all hard won. What resulted is a gem of stories of "it can be done" and "keep moving ahead". This can be read in one setting, but keep it close by, you will return to hear the clear, kind voice of one who has been there. Never condescending or petulant, Brett is more a straight talking friend and coach...if I can do it...... you can try.

This is a great book! I've read it once, and will read it again and share it with friends. Many of the lessons in this book I too have learned since I am nearly the same age as the author, I am Catholic, and I attended parochial school many years ago. Regina Brett really has a great talent, and I hope she will write more books.

Lesson 26, "Frame Every So-Called Disaster with These Words: "In Five Years, Will This Matter?" is one of my favorite and one I have realized is very true as I have aged. I hope as a parent and grandparent I can share some of this wisdom with my family. Thank you Regina for sharing your life lessons with all of us.

I really enjoyed this book. So much so that I already read it a few times since receiving it a couple of years ago. This is the type of book that you don't read cover to cover in one sitting but rather read one story and soak it in before moving on to the next. I took away from this book that even in the most ordinary situations extraordinary lessons can emerge.

My favorite piece of advice in this book is: "Don't take yourself too seriously, no one else does" But there are many other small maxims which to me anyway made a lot of sense. "Overprepare and then go with the flow" "When in doubt, just take the next small step." " Read the Psalms they cover every human emotion."
Some of the advice seems to me a bit too generous as the suggestion that it is always true that 'whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger' or that one should act with total forgiveness to everything and everyone.
But on the whole I believe this small work has much which can be useful to its readers.

This is a great book on appreciating what you have and being content. Each chapter is headed by words to live by, followed by a short story. The writing style is entertaining, and each vignette touched my heart. The book is not overly laden with Christianity and, in my opinion, this can be appreciated by any person independent of religious affiliation (with an open mind).

My two favorite chapters were Chapter 19 "It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood" and Chapter 26 "In Five Years, Will this Matter?" If you are a person who is trying to find happiness, this book helps you find it - from within.

This book would make a great present for any occasion, for any age group and any socioeconomic background.

Highly Recommended!

I started reading this lovely little book at the right time in my life. It seemed like everyone around me had either been diagnosed with cancer or had recently passed of cancer. I needed a calmness to the chaos and this wonderful book was presented to me. I am so grateful. The words are spoken from a truthful place, a peaceful place and you instantly feel at ease when you read these wonderful words of wisdom. We all need to disappear into the quite of enlightenment once in a while and God Never Blinks: 50 lessons for Life's Little Detours provides just that. Highly recommend!

Like me you have probably seen on the internet or been e mailed some version of Life's Little Lessons by Regina Brett. Sometimes the accompanying text claims the writer of this list of wise sayings is ninety years old but in actuality they were published as a column in The Cleveland Plain Dealer when the author turned forty-five. The new book GOD NEVER BLINKS: 50 LESSONS FOR LIFE'S LITTLE DETOURS expands on the fifty lessons and each of these expansions averages 3-5 easy to read pages.

The lessons may not be totally original but they are all universal truths that have a way of putting problems and hardships in perspective. The title of the book comes from one of my favorite lessons, "Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks." Author Brett has lived a life that is far from free from hardships. She was the youngest of eleven children. She became an unmarried mother at 21 and remained single until she turned forty. Then one year after entering this happy marriage she was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through grueling chemo and radiation. She has survived and passes on what she has learned in these fifty lessons and the accompanying essays. Although the title references God and the author is obviously a believer much practical wisdom is included in the book that can be appreciated by anyone. This is a great book to own or give as a gift.

I've been reading this book for about 6 months, off and on, and lately have picked it up again and finished it with a couple late nights ;) It's like having a bottle of vitamins, in book form to energize and ease my heart, right next to me. I really connected with her thoughts and experiences with being a single mom, especially Your Children Only Get One Childhood, Make it Memorable; Forgive Everyone Everything; and No Matter How Good or How Bad a Situation Is, It Will Change. I enjoyed her writing style and felt like I had a wise girlfriend sitting with me, sharing pearls of wisdom.

What appealed to me right off with this book is the few pages to each chapter/lesson/experience. It is best enjoyed a chapter or two a day, perhaps in the stillness of the morning with some tea or coffee. Regina Brett shares her life with you in this book. At times it is soul-stirring. At times, thought-provoking. Insightful and uplifting as well. A smile here, a tear at times.

There are many such books out there, but this is an easy read. And to glean the lessons within, one needs to digest the pages, at times, paragraphs being read and ponder on them.

I highly recommend this book for someone looking to learn from another traveler on the road of human life. Many pearls of wisdom are within this small book's pages.

Take these short stories and not ONLY read
them BUT.....LIVE them. Life is WAY tooooo
short NOT to follow the theme of each story. If
you have bumps in your life .....& we all do....read
and put into practice the advice of a seasoned writer. To
all you young people.....if you can learn from these stories
your life will be easier to live and your "GRATITUDE in your
ATTITUDE" will get stronger!!!!! A must read and apply...with
the emphasis on APPLY....thanks

I read a few books a week...this will rank as a keeper and all time favorite. If you feel you're in a tough period of life, if you want to be inspired, or if you want to think, these essays from the author fit the bill. She thinks like I do,and it's like chatting with a friend. Spiritual, but not religious....she's a cancer survivor, survivor of childhood abuse, and other difficulties...so she knows of which she speaks. If I could give this more than five stars...I would.

My aunt gave me this book and for some reason I put it on the shelf and forgot about it for months. I'm sorry I did that because when I finally got around to reading it, I was hooked from the first page. This is a wonderful, uplifting book that I'll share with friends and give as Christmas gifts.

I found this book to be inspirational and uplifting in an unassuming kind of way. The author makes herself clear right off the bat that she is not talking down to her audience, and the words flow like a conversation.

The book is similar to Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in its advice. It can help us to realize how good we really have it, or that perhaps God has given us a heavy load intentionally, because he never gives us more than we can handle, etc. etc.

Sample titles of some of the lessons are: Life isn't fair, but it's still good; When in doubt, take the next right step; Life is too short to waste time hating anyone; and many more.

For me it was difficult to read the book all in one sitting, because some of the advice, while extremely valuable and thought provoking, is rather elementary. This is one of those books that, in my opinion, is best read a chapter or two at a time in order to take it all in.

I had never heard of Regina Brett until I picked up this book at the library. Little did I know I was holding a treasure chest of wisdom. Brett is a columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and she originally began writing after successfully battling cancer at 41. When she got done recuperating she sat down to write out the 45 lessons about life she had learned in her years(she added five more when she turned 50). As she says in the introduction "My soul sprang a leak and ideas flowed out. My pen simply caught them and set the words to paper."

Each chapter is a Lesson and they are short and to the point, making this book a quick and easy read. This book is full of optimism about the fullness that life has to offer. Packed with powerful and poignant tales, it will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Part self-help, part solid advice and part spiritual meditation, this book touches on the variety of questions and issues one may have on one of life's detours. As she reminds us "We are all in this world for something greater than self."

Actually.... I have read only two chapters so far.... but already now it is obvious: This simple book is in fact a very powerful message of Love, Hope and Faith. It has the power to clean the dust from your eyes and heart and bring you back on track...
Having been in a moment of life that any cheering up was not really working for me, I was not expecting such a book could do it.
and then.... I wonder - how many of us cried purifying tears already in chapter 1?

There are a lot of valuable lessons in this book, ones that most of us live our daily lives by, or at least try to.
It shows what the lessons are and how to connect them in your everyday life.
Each little vignette in this book I could relate to and found myself really thinking about how close to my own ideals it really was.
I liked challenging my moral compass, and this book was the reason for it.

I rarely get time to read as much as I would like because of my own writing schedule but Regina Brett's
book is a quick, easy read that can be handled a short chapter at a time. She has done a marvelous job in
helping readers find their way through life's daily challenges. It will either confirm what you're already doing or inspire you to make the necessary changes to lead a happy and productive life.

I was really happy to get this book and was waiting to get my hands on it.

Its really chicken soup for the soul but a better version I guess.

Regina has expanded her lifes lessons to 50 and though they may sound like a lot..they really have been so beautifully presented that your may be sad to put the book down.

Its a great pick me up book especially we need reassurance in life that god is there to watch us through.

Its makes a great gift for book lovers.

Highly Recommend.

This book is full of short stories that we all can relate to. Some make you laugh, some make you cry, and some just make you think. They are inspirational, they are uplifting, they show you that you are not alone when something has gone wrong in your life. Even after you finish the book you can go back and re-read some of these stories to be moved all over again.

It was the title that caught my interest. It is a phrase I had never thought about, but I recognized the truth in it. The fifty lessos run a gamut. Some really spoke to me, some did not. That being said, I feel that all the lessons will be revelant at some time. Its not the lesson necessarily but where you are and what you need to make the message meaningful. This is a book to keep handy as a reference book.

This collection of usually three-page narratives about familiar bits of wisdom is to-the-point. While by no means light-hearted, the selections are encouraging, and uplifting. Their short length is nice for those stressful times when one does not have the concentration to stick with a long tale. I appreciated the author's shared insight, and will not hesitate to pass it along as a positive word to friends who are traveling through life's difficult patches.

Other reviewers have done a thorough job in offering details about this book. I appreciate this book also for the ease with which I can open it up and receive a nugget quickly. The Title is fabulous and I keep the book in eye's view to quickly remind me to re-set and re-connect with goodness. I continue to enjoy GOD NEVER BLINKS -- thank you, Regina, for sharing your world. Wishing you blessings.

What's the different between good advice and personal opinions ? Probably a matter of experience. Like many "life lessons" books this book has a mix of good advice and personal opinions which are far from universally good advice.

The Good:
Brett clearly has had a lot of challenging personal experiences. She communicates those well and will find symathetic audiences among parents, women, cancer patients and cancer survivors, and certainly among other writers.

The Bad:
While some advice is easily universal and applies well to any religion and even personal belief system, some of the advice is clearly very specific to her circumstances -- hopefully circumstances that you never put yourself in to begin with or worse yet, find yourself in.

What's challenging about reading this book is that there are clearly two distinct sets of conditions that Brett faced in her life. There are those that she had no control over (cancer) and those which she did (having and rasing children). Placing them together in the same bucket doesn't make sense. It runs the risk of suggesting that having children, for example, was something that life threw at her.

It's hard to belive that anything more than a small minority of people can sympathize with her experiences "My brain is a fear factory. It chursns out all kinds of nonsense. There's an ax murderer under the bed. A severed head in the clothes dryer. A live rat in the toilet bowl."

Maybe this is common for fiction writers, but it's difficult to believe that a lot of people think like that and have or deal with the same mental challenges. More common fears that she expresses (I will loose my job, I will be late for a meeting, etc) are the areas where the most useful advice follows from.

It's not bad enough to "not like it" - it is just so trivial. Not that I prefer complicated language and hard to digest stylistics in a book, however, these essays are not very inspiring. They often deal with the authors childhood, her struggles in and after college as well as her becoming pregnant as an unmarried student. Other than that, she cites the life stories of various friends, relatives, monks and priests she has met along the way (yes, the book is based on and essentially about the Christian faith - if you don't want religious talk, stay away from it). But almost none are meaningful enough to really memorize. What really startled me is that the essays often don't match the headlines. Or each essay could technically be matched with each of the headlines. That leads to another point of criticism from my part: The headlines are just sooo good. They make you expect so much out of Regina Brett's little stories. And just sooo little comes out. A lot of the stories are just dull, others are meaningless, very few that make you actually think and draw a conclusion for you own life. I can only refer to THE #1 inspirational author and that is Dale Carnegie. If you want a meaningful book in that department, read Carnegie's classic "How to stop worrying and start living".

Although there are many good reminders and some good personal anecdotes and ideas (the reference to Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" and easily bruised people in the intro was among my favorites, as was the story about the "Life is Good" hat and the company's response to the "chemo hat;" the author's uncle whose wife died and left him to raise six children, one with Down's Syndrome; the idea of being chosen to carry a piece of the sky; and saying, "I get to" rather than "I have to" are some examples) in this book, the lessons are not new - I've heard them many times before. So, what makes this book good are the personal touches, some of which I feel Brett did with finesse and a flourish, and other times not so much. Sometimes, when Brett wanted to push an especially strong conviction of hers, the same thoughts were repeated spanning more than one lesson (each lesson contains thoughts or a story lasting about 3 pages or so), and it felt kind of pushy and/or preachy. I found myself somewhat annoyed, for example, to have the idea of crying bounced off my skull repeatedly. I get it ... it's a good thing to do. I disagree that a person can tell another person when he or she SHOULD be crying (is there really a checklist? Won an award ... oh! That means I need to have a good cry over it ... ?), and I also disagree that it's best to have someone present to witness said necessary tears, but I respect the author's opinion and wouldn't have minded giving some thought to ideas other than my own if I hadn't felt so smothered by them. Worth reading - different people will gain different gifts from the book.

I enjoyed this book for the most part, and feel bad about only being able to give it 3 stars. This book is 50 little "stories" or "advice", and I do enjoy books like that, in that format.

My favorite advice was filling up the emptiness with God's Love. That's something we all know, but don't always do.

Some of the advice that I do not agree with: 1 - Saying it's okay to yell at God. I feel that God is sacred, and is to be honored, revered, and respected. 2 - Saying it's okay (and good) to cry out loud in public. When I was at the ER in severe/horrible pain years ago, I did that, and I'm still embarrassed about it; hopefully nobody remembers. 3 - Saying it's okay to say a cuss-word to get noticed or stand out. You stand out alright when you say a cuss-word, but not in a good way. It makes you sound very ignorant. That's one reason I like to read Christian literature or be around Christian people, is to get away from all the cussing. So, no, this book is no where near 5 stars. I cannot fairly give it 5 stars, especially since it is Christian-based.

It isn't all bad, though, so I am going in the middle for the rating.

Sometimes you don't have time for a lecture, but a pep talk is perfect. That's where this book comes in! A little goes a long way. Pick the chapter that fits the moment, read a few pages and be inspired. The book doesn't provide massive "ah ha" moments, but does provide affirmation and true feel good sound bites that can lighten the load. It's a wonderful bedside book to help you put a positive spin on the day before you turn out the lights. A great gift for high school all the way up! Enjoy.

I think everyone should take some time and read this book -- It is very uplifting and eye-opening. I could insert my life in to many of the chapters and it gave me a new way of looking at life. Thank you.

Uplifting, funny, memorizing, touching, heartfelt, tender lessons for life An awesome example of to live life. Can't wait to pass it on. Have met Regina and this is a great depiction of who she is. A wonderful lady a wonderful tasks.

Just finished this book, for the first time. It's a book I'll read again and again. I went back the book store and bought all the copies they had, one hardback and two paperbacks, to pass out to friends. I plan on ordering more copies to give to friends and family. There is so much in this book that I can relate to and I found it to be a real pick-me-up. There is something for everyone in this book, read it you won't be disappointed!

This book is packed with solid advice told through many stories that will cause you to laugh and at times to cry. It is so good, I sent a shout out to all my friends to get a copy! It is well worth the cost!

Regina has written a poingnant book on the events from her own life that provide everyone lessons we can benefit from. She writes in a very conversational way that you feel like she is speaking to you. Her lesson on "350 feet" (how far your headlights shine)for doing the next right thing no matter what you are challenged to do was very inspirational. I highly recommend this book for a wonderful weekend read and a resource when you need a lift. Thanks Regina for sharing so much of you.

Author, newspaper columnist, radio personality Regina Brett has lived an interesting life; one of eleven children, "lost soul who drank too much at 16," unwed mother at 21, single parent for 18 years, college graduate at 30, bride at 40, diagnosed with breast cancer at 41. She's lived several lifetimes in fifty years. As a columnist for the Cleveland, Ohio, newspaper, when she turned 45, she wrote a column on the 45 lessons life taught her. As she turned 50, she added five more. The result is this book, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours.

Contents: Introduction; The Fifty Lessons; Author's Note; Acknowledgements; About the Author

Written in a very conversational tone, one that makes you think of the manner in which two very good friends converse, Regina Brett shares the lessons that life has taught her. Some are tender, others funny, some are "common sense," some are due to her faith, and others are due to being a cancer survivor. There are lessons in this book that can be applied to nearly everyone in a lot of situations. Credit issues? Lesson 5. Career issues? Lesson 20. Afraid of public speaking? Lesson 22. Fiftieth birthday staring you in the face? Lesson 36. Having trouble getting motivated? Lesson 46.

Many of the lessons are affirmations of Brett's faith. It seems appropriate, looking back on her life. However, as I am not a reader of her columns, it wasn't what I was expecting. Those chapters were a little heavy handed for my taste. Nonetheless, I can see how some could find peace, solace, and acceptance through some of her methods.

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours is not a book that I would normally read, I have the store Vine to thank for allowing me to experience something outside of my normal reading material. While there were lessons to which I could relate, for the most part I was uncomfortable with Brett's approach to her faith. Understandable, knowing the life she has lived, but not something I enjoyed reading. That said, this would be an excellent book as a Mother's Day gift, for a new graduate, for someone that needs a new lease on life or a better outlook. Brett has taken the time to share her lessons and those individuals could enjoy them and learn from her.

Disclosure:
Obtained from: the store Vine Review Program
Payment: Free

...but nothing more than that. There isn't anything in this book that hasn't been said before. And generally said better. But it's not a bad read and is harmless, so noone will be hurt by reading it.
I wouldn't be able to recommend buying this book though.

This should be passed out to everyone at birth!!!! True gifts of wisdom and perspective. Can be read at any age and and you will gain something! A life changing read with lessons that can be used daily to keep you going through any obstacle you are facing. I wish I could give a copy to everyone I know!

Did not blow me away. I do not really see why so many have given it five stars. Nice book but after reading it I decided not to attend book signing and personal appearance at my church. Sorry but it just was not that original.