Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within.

This fantastic "little" read, "Just Who Will You Be?" by journalist Maria Shriver is a revelatory examination of self discovery by a woman who has enjoyed many accomplishments in her career. She explores some large questions that prove no matter what level of external success you may enjoy, the quest for happiness and well being is a common desire- whether you're a bus driver, school teacher, or a famous television personality. Shriver, who in addition to working with the NBC news department for many years, is famous for being a member of the Kennedy family, as well as the wife of movie star/Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. With all of the labels that have come to define the life of this anchor woman/ author/ talk show host / mother-wife-etc....Shriver found herself amidst a personal identity crisis. After years of working in television news, she was forced to resign from the job that she loved when NBC felt that her husband's position as Governor could harm her perceived integrity as a journalist. When she agrees to speak at an upcoming college graduation ceremony, she realizes that she can no longer hide behind her job affiliation to identify her contributions to life. She begins to question her own identity, including all the associations she previously used to define herself. After all, if she isn't a celebrated, successful journalist- who and what defines her value within her daily existence? By the end of the book, Shriver suggests that only person that can define who you are is.....you! Two of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane, have written a fantastic new book entitled "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Can Instantaneously Transform Your Life" that explores some of the themes in Shriver's book. In workshops, audio tapes, and in this inspiring new read, the Kanes write about how labels and outside associations do not produce happiness or well being. All you need to have a successful, happy life is to be present within each current moment of "now". I have attended many of the Kanes workshops in New York City and even though I'm not a "famous news anchor from a famous family" my life is an awesome daily adventure thanks to many of the ideas explored by Ariel and Shya in their book. Shriver and the Kanes have incredible insights on how to live a happy, fulfilling life- I highly recommend both of these books!

This book truly touched me. It is from Maria's heart. From the outside looking in Maria Shriver has it all. She was born into a wealthy, well connected family, had a successful TV reporting career, is married and has children with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is now the governor of California. When Maria's husband became governor of California she had to leave her job at NBC news. About this time her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. Maria was feeling very lost at this time. This book takes us through Maria's journey of how she figured out what to say and she found who she was along the way. I loved that this book was all about "Who do you want to be" not what do you want to do. Maria shares that neither fame nor money will make you happy. Happiness comes from within. Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by Ariel & Shya Kane. It is a book of short stories about "Being". I highly recommend both of these books.

I didn't know too much about Maria Shriver before reading this book except for the fact that she is the famous Kennedy-Mrs. Schwarzenegger-First lady of California that you see in the headlines from time to time. Then one day the title of her book "Just Who Will You Be" caught my eye. Umm, why would she be interested in who she is? Doesn't she have all the fame in the world already? So I picked it up and read it; more than one time actually. I am so glad I did! She writes very honestly & directly and it is truly inspiring! Maria had been living a life of privilege, power and fame gained from her background as a Kennedy, profession as a renowned journalist, and from her marriage to movie-star-turned-governor husband Arnold Schwarzenegger. Being a public figure with a historical legacy, Maria identified herself as a professional- this was all she wanted to be when she grew up and she worked hard to succeed in her work life. She then became a stay-at-home mom bringing up four kids; however she did not approve of herself for not "working as a professional Maria Shriver". I imagine it was frightening when she quit journalism to become a full-time mother, based on her high profile past that equated self-worth with personal achievement. With a sense of humor, Maria shares with readers the journey of discovering who she is and who she wants to be. She is not at all afraid of admitting she felt lost at times, when she'd been answering her quest with a resume, not what her heart truly desired. Maria inspired me to be true to myself. It reminds me of an awesome book by Ariel and Shya Kane, Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment that I love very much! Instead of "doing" and trying to figure out how I can fix circumstances that are not my preferences, I can simply just "be" me- and feel no need to define myself by certain roles. I can be gentle and kind to myself and others, be open and let go of some beliefs that may have served me along the way, but just don't work for me anymore. Life can be magical if we allow it to be, and it's up to us! What an awakening! I highly recommend these three authors!

There are two ideas in this book that I absolutely love - First, Shriver suggests that WHO you are - all the little ways, the so-called insignificant ways, you can be of service to the world, like smiling at the bus driver - matters MORE than your job description. And that it is WHO you will be in life that is exciting, what you do being a part of that greater, richer whole of the person you are. This may sound obvious, but frankly its not what I was taught, nor what I experience in the world at large. Like she says, she was Maria Shriver-Anchorwoman, until she was forced to become Maria Shriver, and discovered what a gift that truly was. Second, she suggests that each day "we are starting out fresh in the world." What a profound point of view! And it is in fact TRUE. There is nothing at all that holds us to our past other than our point of view that it somehow matters. What Shriver suggests is that each new moment is a completely new opportunity - not a linear progression from the past - but a chance to look and see who you are in THIS moment. Thank you Ms. Shriver for a very lovely book - Two other books that I love and which also discuss being of service and living in the moment, offering astonishing shifts in perspective about life, are Ariel and Shya Kane's Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment and How to Create a Magical Relationship. Check them out!

When I saw Just Who Will You Be? Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within, I grabbed it and read it on the spot in Barnes and Noble. I still bought the book and a copy for my friend's daughter, who is graduating college in May and is terrified of the prospect of "being in the real world." Maria Shriver spoke at the high school graduating class of her nephew and the students and parents asked her to write a book based on the speech so they could more clearly remember what she said. I'm glad she listened. She discusses how a recent study found that kids today want fame more than anything else. (I read the survey and they overwhelmingly want to be actors or sports figures.) She tells the class that: "fame isn't a goal worthy of your life." Shriver describes why fame shouldn't be a goal, that fame can't give you meaning and purpose. Instead, Shriver advises to follow your heart, discover who you are, who your authentic me really is. The poem she read to the class is in the book and is powerful and true. Here is one stanza I really enjoyed: You can be girly and strong Have careers and go far And when you get married Not lose who you are The stanza for the boys is equally as good. Shriver acknowledges that we keep changing, growing and evolving as we age and that this is a good thing. She tells the reader about her experiences with growing and changing and they come straight from her heart and were very inspiring to me. Ultimately, who you will be is based on getting in touch with your feelings and discovering your authentic self. Finally, I related to this book because I've been feeling stuck lately. I published my first book a year ago. Ask most authors and they will tell you it's like giving birth and the first year like raising a child. To add to the excitement, the book won awards! But now, a it's year later and it's like the kid moved out of the house! I've had my moments (ask my husband,) and reading this book has finally inspired me to move on. I will always be an author, but I am also uniquely me and now its time for my next step. Thank you for inspiring me, Maria! By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet