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Soul Awakenings: Exploring The Spiritual Journeys of One Hundred Women

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In a society that dictates that women put their families, jobs and other responsibilities ahead of themselves, few women seem to pay close attention to their spirituality. Yet it is our spirituality that gives us the strength to persevere and overcome life's challenges. Indeed, spirituality attracts people to our lives, bringing us peace, joy and happiness. Yet spirituality goes by the wayside quickly without a sense of community and connection to others. Hence the necessity for such inspirational books as SOUL AWAKENINGS that connect the reader with an extraordinary community of women with profound spiritual insight.

In SOUL AWAKENINGS, author Michelle Quigley interviewed one hundred women from across the country regarding their spiritual journeys and how they balance their spirituality with their everyday lives. Quigley recognizes that each individual is a spiritual being and that it is our awareness of the Divine that carries us through adversity, inspires us in times of doubt, and gives us joy in times of celebration. Remarkably, Quigley balances her interviewees between those who come from traditional religious backgrounds with metaphysical and other paths. The result is well rounded view of spirituality seen through diverse eyes that will appeal to a wide audience. Quigley's insight into the spiritual thread that binds all women in a sisterhood proves to be incredibly uplifting for all seekers. Her words bring both strength and comfort, helping to alleviate the soul searing isolation that many seekers feel when they have difficulty discussing spirituality with others.

As each of us works our spiritual paths, it is books like SOUL AWAKENINGS that reminds us that we are not alone in our spiritual journeys. For those who seek to reconnect, or those who wish to validate their own experience through the voices of others, SOUL AWAKENINGS is a powerful tool. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and meditation so the reader can trace their own spiritual awakenings and honor those who aided them on their journey. However readers might define their understanding of the Divine, SOUL AWAKENINGS has something for everyone. SOUL AWAKENINGS comes very highly recommended.

"Spirituality is a total awareness of one's life and trying to act from the point of love." ~Nancy

Michelle A. Quigley has created a beautiful book about how ordinary women make their lives extraordinary. She interviewed one hundred women to discover the common threads in female spirituality. As you read the quotes from the participants, you start to identify with a variety of ideas.

Defining the intangible qualities of spirituality can be challenging and after reading this book you may start to realize that the doorway to spirituality is often through the tangible. What helps you make it through the day? Do you look forward to giving something back to your community through volunteering? Do you feel closer to God while reading a healing book, exercising, creating art, giving emotional support to friends or while singing in church?

Michelle A. Quigley interviewed Marketing Coordinators, Saleswomen, Psychologists, Nurses, Teachers, Executives, Waitresses, Secretaries, Mothers, Social Workers, Librarians and Designers for Computer Companies.

Each chapter focuses on a specific subject discussed during the interviews. The author includes quotes, observations and notes about her own journey. Many of the women had unique ways of defining spirituality. I also enjoyed reading the section on Spiritual Expressions. Through reading this book you can discover when women feel the most spiritual, when spirituality is difficult at various times in life and how spirituality can make your life more beautiful. There is also a section on the barriers and how you can overcome problems in your life to achieve the euphoric feeling of being close to God.

While this book will be interesting to women, there is also a section specifically for men. In this section women explain how they view men who are spiritual and discuss their understanding of male spirituality. The final chapter is filled with encouragement specifically for women.

Soul Awakenings is a journey into everyday spirituality and Michelle A. Quigley makes spirituality accessible to all women, whether they believe in organized religion or they find God in nature. The quotes in this book may even encourage you to awaken in your own way and find your own unique spiritual expression.

"Find ways to connect. Find ways to get a sense of peace." ~Karen

~The Rebecca Review