Regina Brett - Be the Miracle: 50 Lessons for Making the Impossible Possible

In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

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Copyright 2012 by Regina Brett

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James version of the Bible.

Grand Central Publishing

Hachette Book Group

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www.hachettebookgroup.com

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Second e-book edition: January 2013

Grateful acknowledgment is made to quote from the following:

Columns that originally appeared in the Plain Dealer are reprinted with permission of the Plain Dealer Publishing Co. The Plain Dealer holds the copyright for columns written by Regina Brett from 2000 to 2011. All rights reserved.

Columns that originally appeared in the Beacon Journal are reprinted with permission of the Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Inc. The Beacon Journal holds the copyright for columns written by Regina Brett from 1994 to 2000. All rights reserved.

Grand Central Publishing is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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ISBN 978-1-4555-0597-5

E2-20190924-PDJ-PC-AMZ

Theres a wealth of inspirational stories here The real charm of the stories in these pages is that they are alive with regular people who just happen to be amazing BE THE MIRACLE is a book that will give you a boost, teach you how to breathe and open your mind to the miracles happening all around you.

BookPage

Begin the year on a positive note by checking out bestselling author Bretts latest Read just one of these inspiring (and entertaining) anecdotes of morally heroic everyday people and youll be tempted to read them alland then go out and change your corner of the world.

Family Circle

A rousing inspirational collection. Most of her pieces are short, sweet, and frequently resonant Complimenting her own experience with anecdotes from friends and others, as well as poems, prayers, psalms, and excerpts from treasured books, Brett employs a veteran writers knack for keen observation and thorough self-knowledge, delivering hard-earned wisdom with deceptive ease.

Publishers Weekly

Both wise and moving, and a remarkable testimony to the power and love of God.

BookPage

Provide[s] humor, good advice, and an instant mood booster enough to cover just about any situation you may face in your daily life.

BookLoons.com

This book is a jewel sprinkled with life mantras to keep you ticking no matter what situation you face. An amazing book! I surely will be passing this little treasure on.

MomLikeMe.com[URL inactive]

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.

SpiritualWomanThoughts.blogspot.com

Her book is an anecdotal seminar on keeping lifes vicissitudes in their proper perspective.

Feagler and Friends, PBS

Regina Brett is a gifted observer of the experiences that shape who we are, and her lessons unfold with buoyancy, humor, and a courageous honesty. She has given us a beautifully written road map for life.

Jeffrey Zaslow, author of The Girls from Ames

How can one be so lucky as to live in the city where the morning cup of coffee comes with the joy and power of Regina Brett? Her writing entertains as it stimulates change.

Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer for the Cleveland Clinic, and coauthor of YOU: The Owners Manual, written with Dr. Mehmet Oz

I intend to give my 82-year-old dad a copy of God Never Blinks. I will also buy one for a 16-year-old friend. This wise, compassionate, and honest book is a blueprint for living a happy, fulfilling life. Its lessons are timelessand timely.

Thrity Umrigar, author of The Space Between Us

A book surely to be received by many a graduate this commencement season.

Ohio.com

I love this book! It is powerful, poignant, funny, and magical. Read it and Regina Bretts magic will touch your heart.

Joe Eszterhas, author of Crossbearer and Hollywood Animal

To Gabrielle,

my first miracle

W e all pass by miracle workers every day.

Most of the time theyre disguised as ordinary folks, teachers, hairdressers, nurses, secretaries, cashiers, cabdrivers, and the like.

Ive never forgotten the day I was a ball of stress and stopped to pay for parking at an outdoor lot. In most parking lots, you pull up, the person sticks his or her hand out of a little booth, takes your money, gives you change, and you pull away. Your eyes never meet and neither of you remembers the encounter.

This time the attendant stood tall, popped his head out, and gave me the biggest smile. He looked me in the eye, greeted me, shook my hand, and gave me a blessing before I left.

He told me he loved his job and saw it as his ministry to bless people as they passed through his parking lot into the rest of their day. Where I saw a mere money collector, he saw a mission in life. He left me feeling renewed and calm.

Weve all had moments like that. They happen when you are with people who know that everyone matters, that you dont have to make a lot of money to make a big difference, that you can simply start where you are and magnify the good.

Its so easy to feel overwhelmed by all the problems in the world. How many times have you heard someone say, Why doesnt someone do something about that? Or the words come out of your own mouth, as they have mine. We hear about bad news and whisper, Itll take a miracle to fix that. And we wait and wait and wait for someone else to be the miracle.

We want someone else to act. But miracles arent what other people do. Theyre what each of us does. Theyre what happens when ordinary people take extraordinary action. To be a miracle doesnt mean you have to tackle problems across the globe. It means making a difference in your own living room, cubicle, neighborhood, community.

For the past 26 years, Ive had the privilege to be a columnist at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland, and before that, work as a journalist at the Beacon Journal