Author: Maria Shriver
Publisher: Hyperion

I recently saw Maria Shriver discuss her latest book, Just Who Will You Be? on a morning news broadcast. I was taken aback when she said that despite being someone who had it all together, when she lost her career, she lost her identity as well. I guess what surprised me so much is that I could relate to her in that way, and it felt good to know that I’m not the only woman who’s been there.

When I became a mother for the first time, I quit working and became a stay at home mother. The first couple of years were wonderful, but eventually over time I began to lose myself in motherhood. One day I realized I didn’t know who I was anymore, or what I wanted. That was a scary day.

Maria’s book, Just Who Will You Be? is one that I wish I would have had years ago. Based on a high school graduation speech Maria presented, the book touches on important questions every person faces at some point in their life, including the biggie: When everything you are, and everything you have is stripped from you, just who will you be then?

Maria’s wisdom is so simple, yet profound. Here is one of my favorite passages from the book:

“What matters most to me now is what I expect of myself.”

All too often we get so wrapped up in trying to be everything we think others expect of us that we lose ourselves. We forget who we are. We end up frustrated and irritated, then wonder why.

Just Who Will You Be? is not a huge book that will take you forever to read. It’s a small book, filled with gentle wisdom that you can read in as little as thirty minutes (maybe less, if you are a fast reader). It’s one that you can carry around with you to read again for quick motivation.

If you’ve felt disappointed or defeated with your life lately, I highly recommend you read Just Who Will You Be?. It will inspire you and motivate you to get up and live your life, to be the person you were meant to be.

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