Little Detours and Spiritual Adventures: Inspiration for Times When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

by Regina Brett

Just when you think you have it all figured out, life pulls a switcheroo on you. The road zigs when you zagged . . . your hopes and dreams hit a dead end . . . or you simply run out of gas and feel stranded on the highway of life.

It could be a divorce, a diagnosis, or a death . . . or the hole that was your childhood pain reopens to swallow the joy around you.

You feel empty and alone.

But you are not alone.

I wrote this book to remind you of that. Someone has been there before you.

My own detours? Unwed mother at 21. Recovering alcoholic at 25. Cancer survivor at 41. Alzheimer’s caregiver to my mom.

I still believe life is good even when it isn’t fair. I believe every detour in life becomes a spiritual adventure to strengthen our soul and to better love ourselves, our lives, and everyone in it.

This book shares my experiences and stories of other people who faced even bigger detours yet still created a life they love. It’s about finding the awe in the awful, the mystery in the mistakes, the magic in the mess.

The Universe led you to this moment, this detour, this book. I hope it comforts you, challenges you, and empowers you to choose love as a response to every life detour.

Genres: Essays

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2024

About the author

Regina Brett has been a newspaper columnist for fourteen years, eight of them for Cleveland's Plain Dealer, where she was a finalist in 2008 and 2009 for the Pulitzer Prize in Commentary. She also hosts a call-in talk show once a week on WCPN, the Cleveland NPR affiliate, and speaks regularly to companies and not-for-profit organizations

Reviews

[Bonnie Krauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED to experience a book by Regina Brett every few years. We get so busy in our day-to-day lives that we sometimes forget to think about why we’re here. She is my inspiring reminder. Another great one.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is everything to love about reading Regina Brett, and she has done it again with this book. I finished this morning and the ending was so joyful and meaningful, I was a bucket of tears. This book was published during the most challenging year of my life, which featured a serious car accident, two surgeries, and the death of my husband of 38 years. No one can get you better through loss and hardship than Regina—you know and trust her because she has been through it! This book isn’t just about her, though. She shares many inspiring stories. I bought 10 of these books and have been handing them out to people who have helped me through this trying year. God love Regina! Now onto a better year…

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author makes you think about life, and often points out a different way of looking at what life throws at you which helps you deal with it better -- either something happening right now or something that happened years earlier. In addition to being worthwhile reads, I always find Ms. Brett's books to be good a good choice to read when you don't have time to sit read a 20 + page chapter. (Although if you want to read 20 pages you can read more than one chapter. I did that a few times.) I have read her previous books and enjoyed them. and was looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint! Inspiring, sometimes funny, identifiable.

[Brandy Cottrill-Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired me and filled up my soul for 2025! If you’re in recovery and are looking for “a fill up” then this gem is the one to pick up and get you moving into the new year!!

[Sharon Maerten-Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful little book that helps you appreciate life - the good and the bad - and out the bad in the rearview mirror.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read book with positive messages & plenty of food for thought. The author had manty references to Northeast Ohio.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book along with anything Regina Brett writes is so inspiring, real, encouraging and just beautiful to read, laugh with and cry over! I highly recommend owning it.

[Alex Newnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how easy this was to read. Each chapter was about 5 pages long. It’s easy to read a couple chapters. These stories were inspiring and I definitely recommend this book to read!