God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours, by Regina Brett

Connie from Outreach Services ends the week with this review:

I think just about everyone has had Regina Brett’s list of “50 life lessons” forwarded to them on the Internet.  But in case you haven’t (and even if you did), you should check out this wonderful little inspirational book. You, like me, will be hooked after just reading the introduction.

Brett, a columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and a weekly radio show host, candidly talks about the difficulties she has overcome. She matter-of-factly addresses the challenges of single motherhood, cancer survival, and alcohol abuse. As a result of her life experiences, she has developed into a very spiritual person who has learned to rely on her belief in God to move past the painful parts of her life and to look forward to every day with hope and appreciation.

This book devotes a few pages to each life lesson. Some of the “lessons” are ones you’ve probably heard before, like #5: Pay Off Your Credit Cards Every Month, or #35: Whatever Doesn’t Kill You Really Does Make You Stronger. Some are more lighthearted,  such as #10: When It Comes to Chocolate, Resistance Is Futile or #23: Be Eccentric Now– Don’t Wait for Old Age to Wear Purple. And many will touch your heart, like #27: Always Choose Life, or #13: Don’t Compare Your Life to Others’– You Have No Idea What Their Journey is All About.

Ms. Brett not only relates bits of her own life, but also adds touching stories of others to illustrate her ideas, many of which follow themes of acceptance, tolerance, gratefulness, personal responsibility, and living in the present. The book can be skimmed or read cover to cover, and referred to again and again. The lessons will resonate with people of many different age groups.  I think that anyone who reads this book will find some lessons will speak to them more strongly than others.  Book groups may find a lot to discuss here as well.

Check the WRL catalog for God Never Blinks