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

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"Maria teaches all of us in the graduate program of life to seek meaning through the joy of following your heart. Just the kind of advice a heart surgeon cherishes."
--Mehmet Oz, M.D.

"Everything Maria Shriver does is a testament to how deeply she respects and cares about people; all people, all over the world. She really does. She is as charming and funny as she is brilliant and profoundly humane."
--Anne Lamott

"Maria Shriver is real, vulnerable, humble, honest (just like her book) and not afraid to say so. A lovely book by a lovely person."
--Danielle Steel

"This honest, straight-talking, profound little book is worth a lifetime of reflection. It calls readers of all ages to think again-and differently-about who they've been in the past and who they want to be now. This book is a life-stopper, a truly universal piece. It's a must for everyone-of any age."
--Sister Joan Chittister

"Every graduate (of anything) ought to be given a copy of this book along with their diploma. There's wisdom, compassion and truth between these covers. For anyone -- at any age."
--Linda Ellerbee, Executive Producer, "Nick News"

"I've learned that asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our lives, not just when we're starting out in the world. That's because in a way, we're starting out fresh in the world every single day."

Just Who Will You Be? is a candid, heartfelt, and inspirational book for seekers of all ages. Inspired by a speech she gave, Maria Shriver's message is that what you do in your life isn't what matters. It's who you are. It's an important lesson that will appeal to anyone of any age looking for a life of meaning.

In her own life, Shriver always walked straight down her own distinctive path, achieving her childhood goal of becoming "award-winning network newswoman Maria Shriver". But when her husband was elected California's Governor and she suddenly had to leave her job at NBC News, Maria was thrown for a loop. Right about then, her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. She resisted, wondering how she could possibly give advice to kids, when she was feeling so lost herself. But in the end she relented and decided to dig down and dig deep, and the result is this little jewel.

Just Who Will You Be? reminds us that the answer to many of life's question lie within -- and that we're all works in progress. That means it's never too late to become the person you want to be.

Now the question for you is this: Just who will you be?

Answer Within. Little Book. Offering hope and inspiration to those with questions about who they are, this book is worth the short time it takes to read and the longer time it takes to live. Easy reading, strong messages which she could relate to herself and to her teenage daughters. Just Who Will You Be.: Big Question. (ROUGHCUT)I gave this book as a gift to a middle-aged woman who was seeking a new self. Once again, thanks to Maria Shriver. She loved it.

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. All you need to have a successful, happy life is to be present within each current moment of "now". After all, if she isn't a celebrated, successful journalist- who and what defines her value within her daily existence. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

She begins to question her own identity, including all the associations she previously used to define herself. Shriver and the Kanes have incredible insights on how to live a happy, fulfilling life- I highly recommend both of these books. By the end of the book, Shriver suggests that only person that can define who you are is.you.

I was able to read this little book in one sitting, but the wisdom shared out of it was inspiring to me.

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. When Maria's husband became governor of California she had to leave her job at NBC news. Happiness comes from within.Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by Ariel & Shya Kane. This book truly touched me. 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. Maria shares that neither fame nor money will make you happy. It is a book of short stories about "Being".

It is from Maria's heart. About this time her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. I highly recommend both of these books. Maria was feeling very lost at this time.

I'll donate it to the public library. I was hoping to give this book to my daughter who just entering college for the second time after taking a year off. I really didn't find it as inspirational as I thought it would be. perhaps someone else will be inspired. Maria seems like a lovely person but I really didn't feel like her "problems" were "real world" like the majority of America's citizen's issues thus the book really didn't inspire me enough to give it to her.