Of all the books I read in 2011, there was one that stood out and not only inspired me, but impacted my life almost immediately… Spiritually Rich and Sexy: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming Infinitely Attractive lead me to create change that lead to a series of blessings that are still unfolding.
Spiritually Rich and Sexy: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming Infinitely Attractive, a self-help guide by Pamela Jo McQuade, fell into my hands at exactly the right time, creating a surge of energy within me that inspired me to get into action and move forward in a positive, self-empowered way.
I’m not the only one to sing the praises of the book. It was also recently announced as an Award-Winning Finalist New Age: Non Fiction of the USA Best Books 2011 Awards.
It’s a little gem that is too good to keep secret—the perfect must-read to begin the new year with; a call to start afresh and embrace the powerful, beautiful woman you know you truly are. Sometimes we just need a little coaching. Pamela Jo may be exactly who you’re looking for to get you into that space. I hope her golden words of wisdom inspire you as they did me.
I caught up with the author recently to find out more about why she decided to write Spiritually Rich and Sexy and how it can help empower you and provide the keys to a truly beautiful life…
What inspired you to write Spiritually Rich & Sexy?
I inherently knew that if I had gone through such adverse experiences in my life and was able to live and tell the tale, that I most definitely SHOULD do that. I felt so strongly that I could be an example to women and share with them the tools and what it takes to actually make a transformational leap in their lives.
How can it help to empower women?
It empowers women on every level, body, mind and soul to find their inner truth and be unafraid to shine their beautiful light. It helps them find their voice and learn HOW to take their power back so that they may live the life they deserve.
What do you find are the most limiting behaviors and beliefs most women hold? Where does one start to change them?
In my experience and in my case as well, I have found that women give their power up in so many big and small ways and they don’t even realize it. On top of this, their own self love and self worth is destroyed along the way. You start to change this way of life when you have finally had enough of the limitation and struggle. That is where my story comes in… One that every woman can relate to and it gives hope, that if I can overcome, then YOU can too!
Why do you think so many women have trouble seeing and finding their own beauty?
Because we are born and raised in a society that makes women feel small and powerless. Society has trained us to believe that we are small and powerless… If we don’t wear a certain dress size, live in a certain neighborhood, have children and refrain from speaking our truth, then we are not “normal”. Thank Heavens this is changing, but first WE must transform this within ourselves, that is the key.
Why do you believe it’s second nature for most of us to criticize rather than praise ourselves?
This is what I call having the disease to please. Women are so giving and use to giving to everyone but themselves, but it is imperative to remember that giving and receiving must stay in balance for true peace within. When we are doing everything that people think we should be doing, but not living in alignment with our authentic truth then we are giving away our power. So we criticize in an attempt to “please” and “fit in”, but I say, what good is it for you to play small? It may be the status quo, but it is not serving you are anyone around you. Break free and live your truth regardless of what people think.
Can you share a little bit about your journey — where you were at and what your life is like today?
How about we save these little tidbits for people to read in the book… But I will say this. I lived in hell for most of my life and this is not where we are meant to be. I have now found Heaven within and I can not tell you how much this has changed my life…It has been worth the entire journey.
What is the single most important thing that has helped you grow?
Following my inner voice and “knowing”.
You’re a Reiki Master. How did being attuned to the Reiki levels change your life?
This has helped me to bring in higher levels of energy which has helped me heal at a body, mind, soul level.
Do you believe everyone could benefit from being attuned to Reiki?
Yes, of course. However, I feel it is even more important for people to be open and receptive to energy healing in general. Open your minds and hearts to a new way of understanding is so important. Intention is everything.
Do you feel that more and more women are awakening to their own power?
Absolutely, look at what is happening around the world. Women everywhere are starting to awaken to the fact that they are not powerless. This is so refreshing and liberating because truly I tell you that you have everything you need to live a life of abundance. All that you need to know is already within yourself. It is our job to go within and find the keys to unlock this treasure chest, which is what my book gives you.
Do you feel it’s because of the universal shift in consciousness or simply that women are realising they’re not happy and want to do something to change their circumstances and themselves?
Well the shift in consciousness is what is causing so many to grasp this, yes. This powerful energy is supporting higher awareness which is a key to dissolving the illusions that have been on this planet for so long.
Besides grabbing a copy of your book, what’s something women can do straight away – right now – to put them on a path to greater fulfillment?
Simply setting a clear intention that they desire to live in alignment with their truth. Pray and ask for this to happen…
Who inspires you and why?
The spark of the Divine that is within me… and in everyone and everything. It is pure love.
What’s next for Pamela Jo McQuade?
Stepping forth at a larger level to be the face of inspiration, empowerment and change for women.
Excerpt from: Spiritually Rich and Sexy: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming Infinitely Attractive by Pamela Jo McQuade
Step Up from Stepford
An entire day spent discussing various investment-risk versus reward platforms left me spiritually bankrupt. I left the meeting feeling shaky and in need of the badda-bing only an electric shock can provide. Lord knows I needed help in getting my heartbeat regulated to a normal rhythm again, given my tenuous position. And here I thought pacemakers were designed only for older people. Now I know better!
I flashback to the days I was working for a banking conglomerate. They had their corporate sights set on world domination, and I was one of the lucky ones charged with delivering it, one deposit at a time. I found myself thinking that what little life force I had remaining was being drained out of me, as if an invisible nurse had been drawing blood without my permission. The responsibilities of my job had grown so exponentially throughout the years, that I was beginning to believe that the executive management’s deluxe lifestyles had finally caught up to their egos and set fire to the little judgment they had left. The company’s forecast planning was narcissistic banking at its best. All joking aside, laughable may have been a more accurate summation of the sorry state of affairs I was in, given that I had been operating from an energy deficit that had left my spiritual stores empty and my heart screaming for solace.
Are you a Stepford Wife of the corporate world? Are you dressed to perfection in designer suits, Gucci power purse by your side, your Mercedes toting you about from meeting to meeting? Do you have it all and yet feel inside that you are lost, miserable and unfulfilled?
I can giggle about this now, only because I am no longer trying to figure out how to strategically locate multi-millions of dollars and convince people to bring their hard-earned money into a bank offering mediocre products and services. I had been the shining face and happy voice that advised clients what to do with their assets, but something had changed. My heart just wasn’t into mediocrity anymore. Average pay per responsibility load, average service given too many clients per person, and average products per corporate profitability were philosophies I had outgrown. I am much happier now that I am doing what I love and allowing Heaven to call the shots. Thank goodness I have discovered a more dynamic, spiritually strategic alignment. This partnership works with utter simplicity, in that as my internal fulfillment grows, so does my personal empire. I am delighted that I no longer have to conspire in padding the corporate pockets at the expense of my soul. This has proven a much healthier and rewarding opportunity for me both emotionally and financially, as you can well imagine.
One day, my good friend and co-worker and I found ourselves discussing banking-on-steroids and how many of our colleagues seemed to be withering away like Supermen and women on Kryptonite. We were walking to the parking garage, discussing how our jobs had grown from toxic to lethal in the last few years, evidenced by the heart palpitations and resurgence of migraines I was having as of late. My friend said, Pamela, look at these people walking by us. Their faces are empty and lifeless. They may have bodies, but they walk around like they are dead. She had summed up the energy situation around us with the insight of a Great Owl.
The Stepford Wife story is one of disempowerment and is no longer a life suitable for women of the 21st Century. The true keys of empowerment reside in owning your strengths and using them for the betterment of self and society. You can absolutely remain a corporate executive, stay-at-home mom or professional woman and still be living your dream. It does not matter what you are doing, as long as it adds a beautiful skip to your step.
I call this segment of the population the walking wounded. This is not just a corporate problem, either, as it has grown into a world epidemic. It goes something like this: You rise every day, do your job, go through the motions of your life, but your inner story is void of excitement, passion, love and hope. Walking and talking does not mean you are living and giving. You may very well look normal on the outside, but inside you are like a robot that has been programmed for a well-worn daily function. This can be a difficult concept to grasp, because society measures us by the yardstick of vanity. The lesson at large is that, as individuals, we are a dime a dozen, unless, of course, we are young, tall, thin and perfectly sculpted. Well, this just isn’t the Truth, so do not buy into it for a second.
Are you a Stepford Wife of the corporate world? Are you dressed to perfection in designer suits, Gucci power purse by your side, your Mercedes toting you about from meeting to meeting? Do you have it all and yet feel inside that you are lost, miserable and unfulfilled? Don’t get me wrong, I am all about living the good life, but not at the price of ignoring my spirit. By doing anything that doesn’t bring you joy and happiness, you are inherently packing up a piece of your energetic spirit and shipping it off to hell, all dressed up in the Gucci handbag, of course. And there it will stay, until you heed the call of Heaven.
The Stepford Wife story is one of disempowerment and is no longer a life suitable for women of the 21st Century. The true keys of empowerment reside in owning your strengths and using them for the betterment of self and society. You can absolutely remain a corporate executive, stay-at-home mom or professional woman and still be living your dream. It does not matter what you are doing, as long as it adds a beautiful skip to your step. Who cares whether the step is outfitted in a flip-flop, jogging shoe or sexy sling back? All that matters is that it brings forth a dance in your heart and music that sings of destiny. Anything done without mindfulness, feeling and loving is not worth doing. Living the life of a groovy spiritual geek is in and will bode so much better for you than existing as a lifeless dullard.
We live in a generation that has mastered the fine art of technological advancement. At our fingertips, we have phones that allow us to take pictures, surf the web, send emails, watch a movie, and hold a conversation all at the same time. Furthermore, the Internet has become a communication tool that gives us a constant flow of information, anytime and anyplace. The Google God has ensnared us in its web, and many have come to believe that these types of services are the primary force that is keeping us connected and thriving. However, people are waking up only to find themselves angry, unfocused, and unhappy, as the world moves to the relentless rhythm of point and click. If you find yourself living a life filled with strife, you need to question exactly what kind of connection you have. Now, I’m not speaking about the finer points of dial-up versus DSL. Rather, ask yourself: Is your lifeline connected to the computer or to the Divine? Don’t get me wrong. I have embraced the benefits of the computer age as enthusiastically as anyone else. The only difference is that my cable is plugged into God’s outlet, which provides me all the happiness, peace and prosperity I seek.
Identifying why your life might be erupting much like Mt. St. Helens on a bad day is the issue to ponder. How is it that anyone stays sane, when a typical day at work consists of an average of 150 emails and just as many phone calls? The day wraps up with you jumping into your car and speeding home, just to sit in your driveway, returning more calls. Once you get into the house, you will be fortunate if you get dinner, because you have another four hours of work ahead of you made possible by the company that has so generously provided you with a laptop, which enables you to work from home. Clearly, your idea of working at home was not synonymous with theirs. Have you asked yourself what kind of quality time you are spending with your family, friends or even yourself in the midst of this high-tech living? Is the cell phone and computer really helping you figure out what brings happiness into your heart? Unfortunately, we have become high-tech junkies, and we need to break free of this drug. Otherwise, we’ll hearken back to the robotic Stepford Wives of days past.
Visit Pamela Jo’s website at www.spiritualityissexy.com here and grab a copy of her book here.
