When I first picked up Regina Brett’s book God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours, I have to admit I was intrigued but also a little put off that it might be too religious or preachy. I gave it a chance, and I’m so glad that I did because this little book is jam-packed with wonderful nuggets of inspiration and lessons on how to live life.

Just to give you an idea on some of the topics Regina covers, here’s a few of the titles from the 50 life lessons.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save anything for a special occasion. Today is special enough.

Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick, but your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

The most important sex organ is the brain.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.

Breathe. It calms the mind.

Regina Brett wrote these lessons based on the extraordinary life she has led. At 21 she was an unwed mother; at 30 she graduated from college; for 18 years she was a single mom; at 40 she got married; at age 41 she found out she had breast cancer, fought it, and at 45 decided to put all of her life lessons down on paper.  These lessons were first published in her column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. They became hugely popular and went viral, being e-mailed and posted on the Internet around the world. Regina took these lessons and expanded on them to create this book that just recently made the New York Times best-seller list. Congrats, Regina!!

In terms of role models, I would have to say that Regina is on my list. If winning the battle against breast cancer was not enough, Regina ventured into the male dominated newspaper world and has become a successful writer with her own column previously at the Akron Beacon Journal and presently at the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She also hosts a weekly talk radio show on Cleveland’s NPR station, writes a blog, and supports many charitable organizations.

I recently put one of the lessons from the book to good use when I did some spring cleaning. In regard to getting rid of things that are not useful in your life, ask yourself these four questions. “Is it useful? Is it beautiful? Does it add meaning to your life now? If this item were free at a garage sale, would you take it?” Try asking yourself these four questions the next time you clean out your closet. You’ll be amazed how many trash bags you fill!

This book is the perfect bedside companion, full of short reflections on life that you can read for a few minutes before going to bed. There’s something for everyone and I’m sure you will find inspiration, laughs, and some great tips on how to navigate through life, especially when it sends you off on one of those fun little detours.

God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours

“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.”

–Margaret Atwood, Cat’s Eye 1988

Margaret and I must have the same belief system, because I always forget how old I am. I just choose to believe that I’m still 25. Hey, whatever works for you!

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author, poet, feminist and social campaigner. She has won numerous awards for her work and is considered to be one of the most-honored authors of fiction in recent history. If you have not read any of her work, I highly recommend picking up one of her books.

Alias Grace: A Novel

The Handmaid’s Tale: A Novel

Check out more books from Margaret and other Cool Stuff at MariaMedia

From feminist statements to slaying jabberwockies, we covered a lot of ground in April! And, the Daily Quote got a new format, so starting April 28, watch for daily posts with more content and fun about the great women bringing you these daily pearls of wisdom.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”

–Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady of Song

Thanks for the words of inspiration Ella!

Monday, April 26, 2010

“There is a growing strength in women, but it’s in the forehead, not in the forearm.”

–Beverly Sills

Friday, April 23, 2010

“Life itself is the proper binge.”

–Julie Child

Go out and BINGE on life this weekend!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

“The only sensible answer to the question, “Who is smarter, a man or a woman?” is “Which man and which woman?”

–Estelle Ramey – please click on her name and read the bio of Estelle. An academic, scientist, and feminist, she was definitely a women who rocked and helped spread the word with scientific research that there was no hormonal reason for women not to hold executive positions, including the presidency.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

“Even though a number of people have tried, no one has yet found a way to drink for a living.”

–Jean Kerr, author and playwright

Damn – I was really hoping that could be a way to earn a little extra money in retirement!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

“I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch”

–Gilda Radner, incredible comedienne and actress

Miss you Gilda.

Monday, April, 19, 2010

“I can slay the Jabberwocky!”

–Alice Kingsleigh, aka Alice in Wonderland

I know it took me forever, but I finally saw the movie last night and I just have to say – I loved the fact that Alice is such a great heroine and role model for girls.  Have your six impossible thoughts every morning before breakfast, don’t feel pressured to do what everyone else thinks a girl should do, and take charge of your life! You go girl!

Friday, April 16, 2010

“Never underestimate the power of passion.”

–Eve Sawyer

I love this quote – it can have so many meanings.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

“The best things in life are free, but sooner or later the government will find a way to tax them.”

–Author Unknown

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

“A girl should not expect special privileges because of her sex but neither should she adjust to prejudice and discrimination.”

–Betty Friedan, feminist writer and activist

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

“I have a brain and a uterus, and I use both.”

–Patricia Schroeder, U.S. Congresswoman

Monday April 12, 2010

“One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter.”

–Francoise Sagan, French playwright, novelist and screenwriter

Friday, April 9, 2010

“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you?”

–Erma Bombeck

Totally agree Erma, but I also firmly believe that housework is something that should be subcontracted (if possible).

Thursday, April 8, 2010

“Taking joy in life is a woman’s best cosmetic.”

–Rosalind Russell

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

“It has long come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

–Elinor Smith, a pioneering American aviatrix

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

“I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.”

–Gloria Vanderbilt

Monday, April 5, 2010

“Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

–Sharon Schuster

Let’s all get a little absurd this week. It’s on my to do list!

Friday, April 2, 2010

“Young women today often have very little appreciation for the real battles that took place to get women where they are today in this country. I don’t know how much history young women today know about those battles.”

–Sandra Day O’Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

This quote has motivated me to get more information about the early women who rocked up here on MariaMedia.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

“My dad always used to tell me that if they challenge you to an after-school fight, tell them you won’t wait — you cankick their ass right now!

–Cameron Diaz

Thought I would start out April with a bang. Go get em!

Need more daily quote fun? Check out the Daily Quote Archives for February and March 2010.

Stop by every weekday for the daily quote from Women Who Rock. Your daily serving of fun, attitude, and brilliance courtesy of an amazing woman!  Check out the Women Rock category at the Cool Stuff Shoppe for great books, DVDs and merchandise from these great women. Thank you for clicking on the ads when you visit to help fund this site!

Carol Peter was my first woman mentor. At the fourth stop on my career journey, I was hired by and had the pleasure of working with Carol at a Cleveland advertising agency. I have said many times that you are lucky if you get the opportunity to work with someone whom you respect, who assists in your career growth, and who motivates you to work hard and aspire to greater things. Oh, and equally important, he or she must be great fun to work with! In my career I have been very lucky to work with several people who fit this description, but I will always be grateful to Carol for being my first female boss and role model.

When I worked with Carol, I was still very young, and she taught me a lot about how to write and speak publicly, how to deal with a male-dominated work world (at the time it still was), and she gave me the encouragement and just enough rope to show my stuff. I still can’t believe she trusted me to manage an entire office and client group, and I thank her to this day for the incredible learning opportunity. She is probably laughing right now (did I mention she has a great sense of humor) because she only gave me that assignment because no one else wanted to manage the Youngstown office!

Carol and I both eventually left that company and moved on to new positions, but she has always been there for me if I had a question or needed advice on a career matter. I’m fortunate that we are both starting new careers, and she is still giving me invaluable support and guidance as we both our following our passions in our new business ventures. If you are a dog lover, please check out her company Cold Nose Companions.

I can’t say enough about how much it has meant to me to have a woman career mentor in my life. It made a huge difference in my professional career and taught me so much. I only hope that I have been half as good of a role model and mentor to other women in my life.

Have you reached out to help other women professionally in their careers? Have you had a great woman mentor? If so, please leave a comment, and let me know about your experience. Women mentors ROCK!

Remember my current favorite daily quote: “When women help women they help themselves.”

—Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, cofounder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Snow, Snow, Snow and Icicles this February!

Here’s the collection of all the fabulous February Daily Quotes. Enjoy!

Check the Daily Quote page every day for your daily serving of fun, attitude and brilliance, courtesy of an amazing woman!!

Friday, February 26, 2010 – Part of Olympic week at MariaMedia

“Jewelry takes people’s minds off your wrinkles.”

–Sonja Henie, three time Olympic figure skating champion

I had to have one funny one this week!

Thursday, February 25, 2010 – Part of Olympic week at MariaMedia

“Being fearless is being confident…then taking that one step further.  Pushing the limit and loving it!”

–Allison Baver, U.S. Olympic Speed Skater

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 – Part of Olympic week at MariaMedia

“I wear my Peggy Fleming T-shirt when I go to sleep every night before I compete, and for the past four years, it’s brought me incredible good luck.”

–Sarah Hughes

I gotta find me a Peggy Fleming t-shirt!  Way to go Peggy – role model and talisman to many women, including me!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – Part of Olympic week at MariaMedia

“Through my skating, I’ve learned so much about myself. My sport taught me what I could do with my talents, whether in the rink or in the rest of my life. I think exercise tests us in so many ways, our skills, our hearts, our ability to bounce back after setbacks. This is the inner beauty of sports and competition, and it can serve us all well as adult athletes.”

“The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.”

–Peggy Fleming

A double dose of gold from a personal role model of mine.

Monday, February 22, 2010 – Part of Olympic week at MariaMedia

Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.”

–Bonnie Blair

Friday, February 19, 2010

“I’m not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You’re as old as you feel.”

–Elizabeth Arden

Hey Liz, I never feel a day over 25!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

“After the verb ‘ToLove,’ ‘To Help’ is the most beautiful verb in the world.

–Bertha Von Suttner

Don’t know Bertha. She just happens to be the first woman to be a Nobel Peace Prize laureate!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”

–Lucille Ball

You heard it here first, eat slowly!  I always trust the wisdom of a redhead!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

“The loneliest woman in the world is a woman without a close woman friend.”

–Toni Morrison

To my gal pals – thanks! You know who you are!

Monday, February 15, 2010

“Gimme an L!!  Gimme an I!!  Gimme a V!!  Gimme an E!!  L-I-V-E!!  Live!!  Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room.”

–Ruth Gordon in Harold and Maude (1972)

Please tell me that you’ve seen this hilarious cult classic. If not, check it out…  Harold and Maude

Friday, February 12, 2010

“There’s something liberating about not pretending. Dare to embarrass yourself. Risk”

–Drew Barrymore

I think I resemble this remark.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

“You get to be in the driver’s seat of your life. Don’t sit in the back seat and let somebody else take over.”

–Kim Cattrall

I’m sure this will be one of many quotes from the SATC gals!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”

–Maya Angelou

Maya that’s some profound poetry there!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.”

– Indira Ghandi

Thanks to Nancy for sending this one along!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Courtesy of Parade Magazine in an article on Jennifer Garner by Jeanne Wolf

“I will tell you what I can’t abide–and I think the Internet has really created a space for it–women criticizing other women and mothers criticizing other mothers. It just makes me crazy, whether it’s between staying at home, going to work, how long you breast-feed, if you use formula.  I feel like we should just assume everyone is going the best they can.  Women should take care of each other, not tear each other down.”

– Jennifer Garner (2010)

Amen Jennifer – I couldn’t have said it better!  And BTW – this quote sums up the culture of MariaMedia – women celebrating and supporting each other!

Stop by every weekday for the daily quote from Women Who Rock. Your daily serving of fun, attitude, and brilliance courtesy of an amazing woman!  Check out the Women Rock category at the Cool Stuff Shoppe for great books, DVDs and merchandise from these great women. Thank you for clicking on the ads when you visit to help fund this site!

I was still in diapers when Peggy Fleming competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland and then went on to place sixth in the 1964 Olympics at the age of 15, but I was definitely old enough to catch the magic and national pride, in color no less, as she won the Olympic Gold Medal in Grenoble, France, in 1968! Check out this video of Peggy skating her gold medal routine at the U.S. National Championship in 1968.

I couldn’t find a good quality video of her skating in the 1968 Olympics, but if you want to see the highlights and watch her receive the gold in her awesome chartreuse outfit and puffy 60’s hairdo, then you’ll want to watch this video!

Did you know that her gold medal in Grenoble was the only gold medal that the U.S. Olympic team won in the 1968 Winter Games?  Imagine the media frenzy that would cause today!

I grew up watching Peggy on TV specials (she was on an episode of Fantasy Island – how cool is that!) and every year when my parents took me to see the Ice Follies for my birthday!  I loved watching her glide across the ice with such grace and beauty, and I felt a mystical kinship with her when she did her solo skate in that magical blue lighting to the music of “Ave Maria.”  Yep, she was a role model, not only for women figure skaters, but for me and countless other women, both then and today.

In 1999, Peggy was honored at the Sports Illustrated 20th Century Awards along with a group of seven other elite athletes (including Billie Jean King) that were named “Athletes Who Changed the Game,” for the extraordinary impact that they had on their sports.

Exactly 30 years to the date of her Olympic gold, Peggy underwent successful surgery for breast cancer and today is an inspiring breast cancer activist, informing women about the importance of early detection and living a healthy lifestyle.  If you don’t watch any of the videos on this page, please take a few minutes and listen to her inspiring words about a woman’s power to prevent breast cancer: A Golden Moment Speech.

So, if winning a gold medal and conquering breast cancer are not enough to qualify in my book as a woman who rocks, Peggy and her husband also make wine and own and operate Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery in Los Gatos, California!  She is living one of my dreams! The winery produces close to 2,000 cases of wine per year, with profits from one of the wines going towards charities that support breast cancer research.  I love drinking wine for a good cause!

Today Peggy’s interests are focused on health issues: fitness, eating healthy, and balance, she feels, are the keys to living a vital and satisfying life. Peggy – I couldn’t agree more.

I grew up watching Paige Palmer with my mom and sister on TV and can still remember sitting on my mom’s feet, at Paige’s urging, so my mother could reach her toes as she exercised. Paige was smart, worldly, confident, and invented her own way to be a feminist (no bra burning or hairy legs were involved)!

For those of you who have never heard of Paige Palmer, she was known as “The First Lady of Fitness” and was the star of a daily one-hour fitness show on WEWS in Cleveland, Ohio, where she demonstrated jumping jacks and scissor kicks in black fishnet stockings and pumps! She was responsible for helping most of the stay-at-home moms in Northeast Ohio build their muscles and their confidence. Remember, this was before Jane Fonda, workout videos, and going to the gym for step class.

Here are just a few of the cool things that Paige accomplished:

• At age 16, without her parents’ knowledge, she became an entrepreneur when she rented a house in Akron and started the School of Expression to teach dance and invited her friends to join along in teaching other subjects they knew. Her parents found out when she invited them to the open house. The School of Expression was a huge success!
• When she was 18, she was the physical education director at a private Akron girl’s school.
• She graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in physical fitness (what she loved) and also majored in home economics (because that was what was acceptable for women at the time).
• She parlayed her accomplishments into a highly successful television career in the 1940’s – and for over 25 years, she educated women about the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and fashion.
• She used her position to help women break down traditional barriers at the time by urging them to turn their hobbies into businesses, so they would not be totally dependent on their husbands.
• Taboo topics were not off the table for her as she educated women about the importance of yearly Pap tests.
• She patented exercise equipment and created her own fashion label.

In essence, she was an incredible role model for women and one who lived a full life until she passed away this past November at the age of 93.

Thanks, Paige!