Morning Fuel: Daily Inspirations to Stretch Your Mind Before Starting Your Day

by Rebecca Faye Smith Galli

Best-selling author Rebecca Galli has experienced some of life’s most difficult sibling loss, special needs children, paralysis. In this book of daily readings, she offers reflective questions and inspiration for readers to “fuel up” on positivity each morning.

If there’s one thing Rebecca Galli knows, it’s the importance of staying fueled—daily. She’s had a lot to power Her seventeen-year-old brother’s death. Two children with special needs that include autism and epilepsy. Divorce. And her own paralysis. Galli has lived a life filled with unexpected loss—and learning.

Infused with wisdom from Galli’s deep-thinking pastor father, her ever-optimistic, hostess-with-the-mostest mother, and other memorable family members and friends, Morning Fuel offers stories designed to inspire, encourage, or make you think. Sprinkled throughout are quotes from some of the greatest thinkers of our time—words that have bolstered Galli’s resolve to power through her darkest valleys. Each entry ends with questions that invite personal application and provoke further pondering.

How you start your morning sets the tone for your whole day. Let the wisdom of Morning Fuel help you make that tone a positive one.

Genres: Nonfiction

506 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2025

About the author

Rebecca Faye Smith Galli is an author and columnist who writes about love, loss, and healing. Surviving significant losses—her seventeen-year-old brother’s death; her son’s degenerative disease and subsequent death; her daughter’s autism; her divorce; and nine days later, her paralysis from transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation that began as the flu—has fostered an unexpected but prolific writing career. The Baltimore Sun published her first column about playing soccer with her son—from the wheelchair. 400 published columns later, she launched Thoughtful Thursdays—Lessons from a Resilient Heart, a weekly column that shares what’s inspired her to stay positive. She also periodically contributes to the Baltimore Sun’s Op-Ed page, Midlife Boulevard, Nanahood, and The Mighty.

Her memoir Rethinking Possible will be published in June 2017 by She Writes Press.

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @Chairwriter to stay updated on her upcoming memoir, giveaways, special announcements, and her unique insight into resilience and positivity.

Reviews

[Ink_Drinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt collection of daily inspirations designed to uplift and motivate readers each morning. Drawing from her own experiences with profound loss, special needs parenting, and personal challenges, Galli offers wisdom and reflective questions that encourage positivity and resilience.

Each entry is a blend of personal anecdotes, quotes from great thinkers, and thought-provoking prompts, making it a perfect companion for anyone looking to start their day with a dose of encouragement and introspection.

[Aneseh E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite paralysis of the body, Rebecca Galli's challenging life has enhanced her in mind and spirit. The wisdom and warmth of "Morning Fuel" truly fuels the days and encourages us to seek friendship and perspective during our hardest seasons. The book reads like a devotional, with daily entries meant to be digested slowly throughout the year. She draws from life experiences, authors, nuggets from family and friends, as well as her own thoughts. Having experienced my own losses, I found her many stories about grief and the struggle for self-compassion during her darkest moments to be incredibly relatable - like having a mentor mom tell me that that despite the pain of this life, everything will eventually "come to pass". My only complaint about this book was that I only had a few weeks to read the stories since it was an ARC, so I was unable to fully savor each entry, but I can imagine sharing each day's lesson with my family over the course of a whole year. Thanks to NetGalley (and Ms. Galli) for the opportunity to read this!

[David Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately I have been reading books from the NetGalley app. I stumbled on this last one the other day. I really enjoy morning routine books and reading inspirational and insightful books during my Miracle Morning routine. I said, "this one is right up my alley!" And I was not wrong.

I have gone through this book and picked out a dozen dates to read. Just reading Rebecca's opening for the book made me well up with tears and then I came upon one of my favorite dates. November 25th. I was floored. Love Preserves. That line from WandaVision has always stuck in my mind. The way Rebecca pulled beauty out of Vision's line (and I heard it in his voice) and put meaning behind it, just melted my heart. See, my wife had just come back from a memorial service and there were several folks there that were still grieving about others that have been gone for a while. I immediately went to Amazon and pre-ordered this book and ordered a copy for her as well.

The other dates I read also have a powerful positive impact. So I am continuing on with the pre release copy I have on Kindle and can't wait to have a physical copy. I only wish I could get a signed copy somehow. I'd love it signed upside down (inside joke that you will read when you get your copy) go buy this one. What a great daily morning book to read. Thank you so much for writing this Rebecca. It is truly a blessing.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Rebecca Faye Smith Galli’s “Morning Fuel” is a beacon of positivity and resilience, offering readers a daily dose of inspiration to kickstart their mornings. As a book reviewer who appreciates well-crafted narratives and engaging content, I found this collection of daily readings to be uplifting and thought-provoking.

This book is structured as a series of daily reflections, each designed to stretch the mind and spirit before the day begins. Each entry is accompanied by reflective questions that encourage readers to delve deeper into their thoughts and emotions, making the experience interactive and personal.

Galli’s writing is imbued with a sense of hope and determination. She masterfully blends personal anecdotes with universal truths, creating a narrative that is intimate and relatable. The themes of resilience, gratitude, and mindfulness are prevalent throughout the book, making it a perfect companion for anyone looking to start their day on a positive note.

What sets “Morning Fuel” apart is its ability to resonate with a wide audience. Whether you are dealing with your own set of challenges or simply looking for a way to infuse more positivity into your daily routine, Galli’s insights are practical yet profound.

This book serves as a gentle reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we have the power to choose our response and find strength in our struggles.

"Morning Fuel” is a daily ritual that can transform the way you approach each day. Rebecca Faye Smith Galli’s heartfelt and authentic writing makes this a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and motivation. I highly recommend this book to those who appreciate genuine, uplifting content that encourages personal growth and reflection.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for short daily readings (dated) and questions to ponder over your morning coffee, this is the book for you.

Rebecca Galli's "Morning Fuel" is not religious, but shares some deeply personal insights, gratitude, and thoughts relating to her life. Each entry I read was encouraging, reminding me that if she can make it through, so can I. She has not been beaten down or deterred by the challenges she has faced, which include disability, family members with special needs, and family loss. I love her spirit of determination, and the fact that I can pick this up whenever and read something uplifting without feelings of guilt or having to read all the prior entries. It's perfect to read whenever you start and whenever you can.

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *At the publisher's request, this review is based upon a sample of entries. I will be more than happy to read the entire book.*

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there's a very short story and question for each day of the year, I couldn't help myself and read through this book within 2 days.

I think it's really easy for someone to say, "Write down things you are grateful for at the end of the day and you'll live a more positive life." This book takes it on a totally different level that I think is better than just writing something down. This book is meant for you to read one story a day and leaves you with a question that will definitely help you look at your day in a different perspective. Yes, life can be tough, but how can you change your point of view so that you are mentally stronger and more positive? This book can totally help you achieve that goal.

I loved how the author wrote a short story so that you, as a reader, have an example of how to look at things in a different way and a more positive way. I highly recommend this book!

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morning Fuel is an inspirational, joyful, uplifting, and delightful story! This is such an inspiring read! It has a short message that you read daily, it is a great way to start your morning. I have loved starting off my day in the right mindset! There is so much wisdom in this book. I adore the messaging. It is simply the perfect read to start off your day regardless of whether or not you love books. My non-reader mom even borrowed this book because she thought it looks great (we are lucky if she reads one book per year. Asking to borrow it is huge!)! This book is a joy to read! 

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morning Fuel is a cup of love every morning in a short and easy to read format. It’s a great treat for yourself or the perfect gift for the holiday season - the gift that lasts all year! I incorporated this quick daily habit as soon as I got the book and now look forward to waking up - in full disclosure, I’m not a morning person. At all. So though I don’t look forward to waking up, I do enjoy wrapping myself in a hug to start my day.

[Jimmy Teddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I go this book on Dec 14,

this book is warming for my heart. beautifull breakfast for my mind in the morning. Becky wrote the story for daily and for 1 year. each day reads day by day is not hard

Becky i welcome your book into my life

thanks and i hope everybody can read this good book

[DIANE CRAWFORD · Rating 5 out of 5]

great must read

Very positive and uplifting. Definitely made me stop and think about life in more than 1 chapter Hard to put this book down

[Liane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morning Fuel: Daily Inspirations to Stretch Your Mind Before Starting Your Day is a masterclass in how to meet grief with grace. Written in the time-honored format of a book of days, each daily mini essay offers a shot of positivity in engaging and relatable bite size pieces that include reflective takeaway questions for the reader.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional, author Rebecca Galli reminds us. You can’t deny the pain of loss or skip over its sidekick, grief, but she notes that “the best way out is always through.” Galli has had more than her share of heartbreak, but with her trademark humor and resilience, offers suggestions on how to harness the power of awe, cultivate friendships, and learn to “bloom where you are planted.” Insightful and thought-provoking, her new book provides profound lessons on how to live more mindfully.