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Just Who Will You Be?
"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 Just who will you be?
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 Just who will you be?
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
29 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Maria Shriver
62 books263 followersMaria Owings Shriver is an American journalist, activist, author of six best-selling books, and former First Lady of California.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
November 19, 2022
Probably a good book for YA and twenty somethings, especially female. I just don't much care for self-help books (none ever seem to help).
This is from a speech she gave at a graduation. It is the speech, and more besides.
Summary in two words: Be yourself.
This is from a speech she gave at a graduation. It is the speech, and more besides.
Summary in two words: Be yourself.
June 30, 2008
Quick little book to read. It offers substantial insight and is a good reminder to yourself to just be comfortable with who you are and not what you want others to see you as. I found it helpful as a school counselor. Daily I asked my students "what do you want to be after high school?" Which implies a specific job that will define someone. When really the more appropriate question is, "who will you be after high school?" This is much more open and allows for further exploration into life outside of the comfort of school and home.
For anyone searching, looking for a little pick me up, or a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves I would recommned this book.
For anyone searching, looking for a little pick me up, or a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves I would recommned this book.
November 22, 2012
As I've been struggling a lot lately with how I feel about myself, how I view myself, and how I want others to see me, this was a perfectly timed read. I picked it up as a bargain buy on Amazon for my Kindle, and I'm so glad I did. Shriver tells about how she felt out of sorts with herself as the First Lady of California, because she felt she was more than that. As she questioned herself, she found that she had at one time linked much of her identity to her career, but that didn't feel right either. As she delved into writing a speech for her nephew's high school graduation, she wrestled with the questions; what did these kids want to hear? who was she that they would ask her to give the speech? I especially enjoyed her pledge to herself at the end.
June 15, 2025
Simple yet practical - a thoughtful perspective from a woman who has had to find a way to balance her life in the public spotlight. One of the pleasures of reading is finding books that you never thought you would be interested in. I picked up this book at a library sale several years ago, then it went to the bottom of a 'book tower' in my room. Glad I finished it!
September 1, 2008
Lines I loved from this book:
Asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our life, 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.
We can allow ourselves to keep changing and growing and evolving. Actually, we’re supposed to.
My dad, Sargent Shriver, started the Peace Corps, and my mom, Eunice, founded the Special Olympics.
Just because people know your name, it doesn’t mean they know who you are.
The only way to find a life of meaning and joy – is to find your own voice, find your own path, follow your own heart, and live your own life, not an imitation of somebody else’s.
He was challenging them to look at what they believe, in order to find out who they could become.
You will attract all the
Best friends on earth
By being a trustworthy
Person of worth
Who you work for and with
Is important – it’s true –
Can be even more crucial
Than what you actually do
Fame’s just a perception
An image, a role
But it isn’t the truth
And it isn’t your soul
Now a word to young women:
Please don’t lose yourself
You don’t need anyone
To be someone yourself
You can be girly and strong
Have careers and go far
And when you get married
Not lose who you are
Maria, you have a choice. You can spend the rest of your life trying to measure up, trying to figure out and then fulfill other people’s expectations of you – or right now, you can make a decision to let all that go. And you can start by talking about what you know, what you feel, and what you think. You can start talking about just who you want to be!
We have been telling the people that this is the eleventh hour.
Now we must go back and tell the people that this IS the hour
Here are the things that must be considered:
Where are you living? What are you doing? What are you relations? Where is your water?
Know your garden. It is time to speak your truth.
I’d been taught that if you weren’t doing, if you weren’t serving, if you weren’t accomplishing and accomplishing big – then you really weren’t being. You weren’t even seen.
We’re all worthy of being loved just for being ourselves.
I’ve also learned it’s OK to change. Sometimes it’s not just OK, but mandatory. You can let go of some beliefs that maybe have served you well along the way, but just don’t work for you anymore. We’re supposed to grow and evolve. We have to give ourselves the permission and freedom to stay open to change.
Let life’s experiences affect you and matter you.
Go down deep and find out where you’re at and where you need to go next.
If you don’t feel your fears, you’re fearless! But it didn’t help me know who I was.
We are first and foremost human being in our own right. We’re entitled to our own lives, our own dreams and goals, our own legacies.
I will continue to live the faith I say I have, because I’ve learned that when I do, it can actually sustain me.
I will try to live an authentic life that feels true to me – which means living life as myself, not an imitation of anyone else, and not the reflection of myself in anyone else’s eyes.
Asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our life, 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.
We can allow ourselves to keep changing and growing and evolving. Actually, we’re supposed to.
My dad, Sargent Shriver, started the Peace Corps, and my mom, Eunice, founded the Special Olympics.
Just because people know your name, it doesn’t mean they know who you are.
The only way to find a life of meaning and joy – is to find your own voice, find your own path, follow your own heart, and live your own life, not an imitation of somebody else’s.
He was challenging them to look at what they believe, in order to find out who they could become.
You will attract all the
Best friends on earth
By being a trustworthy
Person of worth
Who you work for and with
Is important – it’s true –
Can be even more crucial
Than what you actually do
Fame’s just a perception
An image, a role
But it isn’t the truth
And it isn’t your soul
Now a word to young women:
Please don’t lose yourself
You don’t need anyone
To be someone yourself
You can be girly and strong
Have careers and go far
And when you get married
Not lose who you are
Maria, you have a choice. You can spend the rest of your life trying to measure up, trying to figure out and then fulfill other people’s expectations of you – or right now, you can make a decision to let all that go. And you can start by talking about what you know, what you feel, and what you think. You can start talking about just who you want to be!
We have been telling the people that this is the eleventh hour.
Now we must go back and tell the people that this IS the hour
Here are the things that must be considered:
Where are you living? What are you doing? What are you relations? Where is your water?
Know your garden. It is time to speak your truth.
I’d been taught that if you weren’t doing, if you weren’t serving, if you weren’t accomplishing and accomplishing big – then you really weren’t being. You weren’t even seen.
We’re all worthy of being loved just for being ourselves.
I’ve also learned it’s OK to change. Sometimes it’s not just OK, but mandatory. You can let go of some beliefs that maybe have served you well along the way, but just don’t work for you anymore. We’re supposed to grow and evolve. We have to give ourselves the permission and freedom to stay open to change.
Let life’s experiences affect you and matter you.
Go down deep and find out where you’re at and where you need to go next.
If you don’t feel your fears, you’re fearless! But it didn’t help me know who I was.
We are first and foremost human being in our own right. We’re entitled to our own lives, our own dreams and goals, our own legacies.
I will continue to live the faith I say I have, because I’ve learned that when I do, it can actually sustain me.
I will try to live an authentic life that feels true to me – which means living life as myself, not an imitation of anyone else, and not the reflection of myself in anyone else’s eyes.
June 16, 2009
This book is based on a speech that Maria Shriver gave to her nephew's high school graduation. There are some good nuggets to think about in this book (like the fact that it's never too late to dust off your dreams), but a few things didn't sit quite right with me. 1) She mentioned a couple of things that her teenagers said to her that seemed very "attitude-y", that seemed to add to Shriver's "identity crisis." Since the reader only sees this on paper, there's no way to see facial expressions, or hear the whole conversation, but it gave me pause that her kids said those things without more two-sided converstation. (Okay, I admit, I'm not a parent!) 2) The poem that was part of the speech seemed a bit Dr. Seuss-ish, and didn't seem to fit with the Kennedy/Shriver image I have. (Imagine Jack Kennedy reading Green Eggs and Ham. Was that a Saturday Night Live sketch?) 3) I couldn't tell at times if Shriver was being serious about her identity crisis concerns, or if she was just trying identify with the masses. While reading this book, sometimes I took her at face value, but sometimes I thought she came across like a whiney privileged person.
Okay, maybe I was in a cynical mood when I read this book, and I may have had a lighter review of it on a different day.
Okay, maybe I was in a cynical mood when I read this book, and I may have had a lighter review of it on a different day.
August 14, 2008
Just Who Will You Be? This is a question that I've been struggling with lately. I really want to be the fun girl that I once was, but I'm also trying to be a responsible wife and mother. I'm also trying to live up to expectations that I feel others have for me. Notice- other people may not have those expectations for me, but I *feel* like they do. Or maybe I expect them to expect me to....
At any rate, I'm failing to find balance. If I would take time to reflect on the wisdom that Maria Shriver shares and write down my pledge and follow through, the book would get five stars because it would probably change my outlook and help me to find some balance. But, seeing as it's due back to the library and I'm just trying to make it day to day with my kids fighting and counting down the weeks until school starts (two and a half, by the way), I think I'll give it four stars, return it to the library and call it good.
At any rate, I'm failing to find balance. If I would take time to reflect on the wisdom that Maria Shriver shares and write down my pledge and follow through, the book would get five stars because it would probably change my outlook and help me to find some balance. But, seeing as it's due back to the library and I'm just trying to make it day to day with my kids fighting and counting down the weeks until school starts (two and a half, by the way), I think I'll give it four stars, return it to the library and call it good.
May 14, 2008
Blah blah blah...very disappointing book. This very small tiny book with large print and gigantic margins is basically the speech that Maria Shriver delivered to her nephew's high school graduation. You can get much more practical information by googling 'who do you want to be when you grow up'. Definitely not worth the price. Quick read-about 1 hour.
P.S. I am not a lover of Oprah's books, I should have known better.
P.S. I am not a lover of Oprah's books, I should have known better.
August 7, 2008
great book, it really gives you a sense of who you are and who you want to be in life.. great read for anyone that needs some direction in life. :)
September 13, 2015
3.5 stars. This was a quick and inspirational read. A great book to pick up right before heading to college.
May 24, 2018
Maria Shriver is a well known television anchorwoman but she is also a very successful author. She has written several small books that have sold well and could be categorized as “inspirational”. I have never read anything she wrote but curious to see what she had to say, I picked up this slender volume which has a powerful message.
When Shriver’s husband Arnold Shwarzenegger was elected Governor of California, Shriver was asked to resign from her position at NBC News to avoid a potential conflict of interest. She had spent many years building her career and was in a job she loved. Many people identified her by the work she did on television and Shriver discovered that she had as well. Without her career as a journalist, she felt the person she had been for twenty-five years had also disappeared; she had lost her identity. The fallout from leaving her dream job sent her into a deep funk but it also made her think about her life, how she had lived it and what she wanted for her future. It was an experience that deeply affected but also matured her.
About the same time her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. At first, still in the midst of her own personal conundrum she resisted, believing she had nothing important to say when she was still trying to figure things out for herself. However she finally agreed to his request and this book is the text of her speech.
Shriver’s core message is simple but compelling and persuasive: that it is important to ask yourself not what you want to be, but who you will be; who is the person you will become? And she says it is important to ask this question not only when you are starting out, but at every stage of your life because you answer the question differently in your twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. Life presents each of us with a series of challenges and one must adapt and evolve to face them. People die, you change jobs, you develop new friendships, move to a different city and have children who eventually grow up and leave home. So your answer to the question “Who Will You Be ?” are different as you experience your life journey.
Shriver also says that fame is simply an image and not a worthy goal in life. Many people may know your name but will not know who you are. Fame cannot make you happy or joyful, make you feel worthy or give your life meaning. The only way you can do that is to find your own path and live your own life, not an imitation of someone else’s.
This book was published in 2008, long before Shriver’s husband admitted to fathering a child with a long term member of their household staff. The couple separated in 2011 and divorced after twenty-five years of marriage. This was a very difficult time for Shriver, a very moral and religious person who was humiliated and crushed by her husband’s reckless and unfaithful behavior. It probably created another period in her life when she had to ask herself the same questions she posed to the graduating students on this day.
Several pages of this little book are taken up by a long poem she wrote and at a sticker price of $14.95, it seems a little pricey for what is on offer.
When Shriver’s husband Arnold Shwarzenegger was elected Governor of California, Shriver was asked to resign from her position at NBC News to avoid a potential conflict of interest. She had spent many years building her career and was in a job she loved. Many people identified her by the work she did on television and Shriver discovered that she had as well. Without her career as a journalist, she felt the person she had been for twenty-five years had also disappeared; she had lost her identity. The fallout from leaving her dream job sent her into a deep funk but it also made her think about her life, how she had lived it and what she wanted for her future. It was an experience that deeply affected but also matured her.
About the same time her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. At first, still in the midst of her own personal conundrum she resisted, believing she had nothing important to say when she was still trying to figure things out for herself. However she finally agreed to his request and this book is the text of her speech.
Shriver’s core message is simple but compelling and persuasive: that it is important to ask yourself not what you want to be, but who you will be; who is the person you will become? And she says it is important to ask this question not only when you are starting out, but at every stage of your life because you answer the question differently in your twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. Life presents each of us with a series of challenges and one must adapt and evolve to face them. People die, you change jobs, you develop new friendships, move to a different city and have children who eventually grow up and leave home. So your answer to the question “Who Will You Be ?” are different as you experience your life journey.
Shriver also says that fame is simply an image and not a worthy goal in life. Many people may know your name but will not know who you are. Fame cannot make you happy or joyful, make you feel worthy or give your life meaning. The only way you can do that is to find your own path and live your own life, not an imitation of someone else’s.
This book was published in 2008, long before Shriver’s husband admitted to fathering a child with a long term member of their household staff. The couple separated in 2011 and divorced after twenty-five years of marriage. This was a very difficult time for Shriver, a very moral and religious person who was humiliated and crushed by her husband’s reckless and unfaithful behavior. It probably created another period in her life when she had to ask herself the same questions she posed to the graduating students on this day.
Several pages of this little book are taken up by a long poem she wrote and at a sticker price of $14.95, it seems a little pricey for what is on offer.
February 16, 2009
Oh my, I recommended this book for our December book club since it was short and since I had seen Maria Shriver interviewed on Oprah. The book was a total disappointment! Shallow and without redeeming value. Do not buy. To make the book more palatable, I researched her life to answer the question of why she married Arnold. Now that was sort of interesting.
Following are the questions that I asked my friends to think about as a result of this book -- remember I was embarrassed that I had suggested it so I was struggling to find SOMETHING to discuss related to the book. Unfortunately book group was snowed out, so I didn't have to face my embarrassment!
1. What did you plan to do in life when you were 18? What dreams did you have then? Did you accomplish them?
2. Did you have a mentor or a role model?
3. Do you sometimes agree with the statement of Maria’s daughter: “This is it for you! You are all grown up. You’re cooked.” Why or why not.
4. Pps 9-12. When you were at home raising children, did you ever write on an application that your occupation was “housewife?” Why or why not?
5. Select 5 adjectives to describe who you are. What adjectives do you think others would use to describe you?
6. In what ways have you evolved or changed since you were 18?
7. There’s an NPR show called “This I believe” where people read essays they have written about one thing they believe in. What would you write about?
8. Do you feel that you lived your life according to YOUR dreams or someone’s dreams for you.
9. What in your present life makes you joyful?
10. At our age, our children are grown and self-sufficient, we no longer have a career to provide us with an identity, even our husband’s careers are on the down slope. Have you developed a new identity? Where do you derive meaning in your life?
11. What do you think of Maria’s idea of giving yourself 10 minutes of silence and stillness every day to get in touch with your heart and hear your own voice?
12. What do you want your life to stand for?
Following are the questions that I asked my friends to think about as a result of this book -- remember I was embarrassed that I had suggested it so I was struggling to find SOMETHING to discuss related to the book. Unfortunately book group was snowed out, so I didn't have to face my embarrassment!
1. What did you plan to do in life when you were 18? What dreams did you have then? Did you accomplish them?
2. Did you have a mentor or a role model?
3. Do you sometimes agree with the statement of Maria’s daughter: “This is it for you! You are all grown up. You’re cooked.” Why or why not.
4. Pps 9-12. When you were at home raising children, did you ever write on an application that your occupation was “housewife?” Why or why not?
5. Select 5 adjectives to describe who you are. What adjectives do you think others would use to describe you?
6. In what ways have you evolved or changed since you were 18?
7. There’s an NPR show called “This I believe” where people read essays they have written about one thing they believe in. What would you write about?
8. Do you feel that you lived your life according to YOUR dreams or someone’s dreams for you.
9. What in your present life makes you joyful?
10. At our age, our children are grown and self-sufficient, we no longer have a career to provide us with an identity, even our husband’s careers are on the down slope. Have you developed a new identity? Where do you derive meaning in your life?
11. What do you think of Maria’s idea of giving yourself 10 minutes of silence and stillness every day to get in touch with your heart and hear your own voice?
12. What do you want your life to stand for?
June 3, 2019
Published in 2008, this book form of Just Who Will You Be? serves as an extension of the commencement speech Maria Shriver gave at her nephew's high school graduation.
Traveling with her father as he ran for Vice President in 1972, the media coverage of that year inspired young Maria towards the goal of becoming an award-winning journalist / news anchor. Starting as a coffee runner, Shriver eventually does work her way up to a position at NBC News... a job she was asked to resign ("conflict of interest") once husband Arnold Schwarzeneger became Governor of California. Shriver also touches a bit on her famous family; being a part of the Kennedys, the niece of John, Robert and Ted; how her father, Sargent, founded the Peace Corps while mother Eunice created the Special Olympics.
The structure of the book is set up as 1) Intro 2) Main Speech 3) Thoughts after giving speech. At the back of the book Shriver also includes a "Pledge List", a list of ten affirmations she uses to keep herself motivated and includes blank lines for readers to write in their own favorite affirmations. My favorites of the ones Shriver shares are "I pledge to use my voice to empower myself and others" and "I pledge to avoid using the word 'just' to describe myself (ie, 'just a mother)."
Shriver encourages her audience to determine what their core values and beliefs are and use those as a foundation for working toward future successes. If you want to go for fame, ask yourself what you want to be famous FOR. She also incorporates reminders that it's okay, even healthy, to change and adjust your beliefs as you go along. Basically, her message boils down to the often used, if sometimes vague, "be yourself".
There's also an original Shriver poem included, though she does pull some inspiration from Dr Seuss's Oh, The Places You Will Go!. The poem itself is a little cringey, the rhythm a little off. There's a definite "pep talk from mom" feel to it, but the sentiment is nice.
Traveling with her father as he ran for Vice President in 1972, the media coverage of that year inspired young Maria towards the goal of becoming an award-winning journalist / news anchor. Starting as a coffee runner, Shriver eventually does work her way up to a position at NBC News... a job she was asked to resign ("conflict of interest") once husband Arnold Schwarzeneger became Governor of California. Shriver also touches a bit on her famous family; being a part of the Kennedys, the niece of John, Robert and Ted; how her father, Sargent, founded the Peace Corps while mother Eunice created the Special Olympics.
The structure of the book is set up as 1) Intro 2) Main Speech 3) Thoughts after giving speech. At the back of the book Shriver also includes a "Pledge List", a list of ten affirmations she uses to keep herself motivated and includes blank lines for readers to write in their own favorite affirmations. My favorites of the ones Shriver shares are "I pledge to use my voice to empower myself and others" and "I pledge to avoid using the word 'just' to describe myself (ie, 'just a mother)."
Shriver encourages her audience to determine what their core values and beliefs are and use those as a foundation for working toward future successes. If you want to go for fame, ask yourself what you want to be famous FOR. She also incorporates reminders that it's okay, even healthy, to change and adjust your beliefs as you go along. Basically, her message boils down to the often used, if sometimes vague, "be yourself".
There's also an original Shriver poem included, though she does pull some inspiration from Dr Seuss's Oh, The Places You Will Go!. The poem itself is a little cringey, the rhythm a little off. There's a definite "pep talk from mom" feel to it, but the sentiment is nice.
May 18, 2020
Graduation speech for her nephew's class sandwiched between opening explaining how she came to that point and closing with her take-away.
August 19, 2008
This was a very quick read and a small book. This would be a great graduation present for graduating high school or college kids.
I saw the interview with Maria Shriver on Oprah and again I thought that the content of the book was misleading from the interview. Oh well, I guess I need to sift my Oprah viewing a little bit better! :)
But, it was interesting to me that a person from the Kennedy/Shriver legacy was asking the question in her 50's, "Just Who Would She Be"? She had been defined by her career for so long, she really didn't know her own identity when her news career was gone.
It is a good question for us all to ask and so that is why I am recommending this short read.
Maria Shriver says, "You may believe you're not allowed to think of yourself as separate from your job, your family, and all the other legacies you inhabit. But what I've come to understand is that we are first and foremost human beings in our own right. We're entitled to our own lives, our own dreams and goals, our own legacies."
I saw the interview with Maria Shriver on Oprah and again I thought that the content of the book was misleading from the interview. Oh well, I guess I need to sift my Oprah viewing a little bit better! :)
But, it was interesting to me that a person from the Kennedy/Shriver legacy was asking the question in her 50's, "Just Who Would She Be"? She had been defined by her career for so long, she really didn't know her own identity when her news career was gone.
It is a good question for us all to ask and so that is why I am recommending this short read.
Maria Shriver says, "You may believe you're not allowed to think of yourself as separate from your job, your family, and all the other legacies you inhabit. But what I've come to understand is that we are first and foremost human beings in our own right. We're entitled to our own lives, our own dreams and goals, our own legacies."
September 15, 2011
Kdo želim postati @mariashriver (Maria Shriver)
str. 7- to, kdo sem, je seveda najbolj odvisno od mene, vendar pa je vse odvisno tudi od mnogih ljudi, ki so se po poti dotaknili mojega življenja - od moje družine do mojega kroga prijateljev in velikodušnih učiteljev, ki so mi podarili del sebe.
Str. 36- ..slava NE!... Toda to, da izveste, kdo ste, da najdete lastne strasti, izpolnite svoje sanje - to je cilj, vreden vašega življenja.
Str. 38- 'V kaj verjamem - in kdo želim postati?' odgovor na to vprašanje je ključnega pomena, saj so to, v kar verjamete, temelji, na katerih med svojo rastjo gradite sebe.
Str. 67- ..da slava ni odgovor. Povedala sem jim, 'da lahko najdejo življenje z obilo smisla in radosti zgolj tako, da najdejo svoj glas, da najdejo svojo pot, da sledijo svojemu srcu in živijo svoje življenje, ne le medel posnetek življenja nekoga drugega.'
Zelo zanimiva knjiga. Priporočam jo vsem managerjem, politikom in finančnikom.
Vprašanje. A jo je prebral Arnold? Ali so jo naši politiki?
str. 7- to, kdo sem, je seveda najbolj odvisno od mene, vendar pa je vse odvisno tudi od mnogih ljudi, ki so se po poti dotaknili mojega življenja - od moje družine do mojega kroga prijateljev in velikodušnih učiteljev, ki so mi podarili del sebe.
Str. 36- ..slava NE!... Toda to, da izveste, kdo ste, da najdete lastne strasti, izpolnite svoje sanje - to je cilj, vreden vašega življenja.
Str. 38- 'V kaj verjamem - in kdo želim postati?' odgovor na to vprašanje je ključnega pomena, saj so to, v kar verjamete, temelji, na katerih med svojo rastjo gradite sebe.
Str. 67- ..da slava ni odgovor. Povedala sem jim, 'da lahko najdejo življenje z obilo smisla in radosti zgolj tako, da najdejo svoj glas, da najdejo svojo pot, da sledijo svojemu srcu in živijo svoje življenje, ne le medel posnetek življenja nekoga drugega.'
Zelo zanimiva knjiga. Priporočam jo vsem managerjem, politikom in finančnikom.
Vprašanje. A jo je prebral Arnold? Ali so jo naši politiki?
September 5, 2012
Overall interesting read that makes you think about what your purpose and meaning in life is. Main lesson learned is that you should really think about what do you want to be remembered as when you leave this world. Chances are that you won't be remember by just whatever career you have. The book is mainly about a high school graduation speech that Maria was asked to give at her Niece's graduation and all the things she thought about in her life as she tried to capture what a high school audience would want to hear from her. Although she went from working hard up the corporate ladder to a famous woman New Anchor which was unheard of back then, she gave it all up when her husband (Arnold Schwazenager) was running for office as her company said she would be seen as a political figure now. She struggled with going from this famous news anchor to just a house wife taking care of her children, but she realizes, through time, just how much more she can do in her life without being a News Anchor and how much better of a person she became by having the time to do other things.
October 15, 2019
This incredibly short book came up on my library app while I was looking for a book with a question in the title for the 2019 PopSugar Reading Challenge. I read it in under a half hour, maybe under 15 minutes, even. It's based on (and includes) a speech Shriver gave at her godson's high school graduation, which, while it had a good message, was kind of cheesy. It invokved rhyming poetry, FYI. The part that mattered to me, though, was how Shriver thought about things after giving the speech. She has a wonderful viewpoint about how we often judge ourselves based on our jobs or achievements, what outsiders expect us to be, but none of that matters. These things don't define us. Our beliefs, our actions, the meaning we give amd receive in life counts. This might be the first time I've ever truly understood that, and it's such an important message. Because of that, I'm giving this tiny little book 4 stars.
December 19, 2008
"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."
This book was not very good. While I agree its important to ask yourself, who you want to be, and I often incorrectly ask my own kids, 'what do you want to be?' thats pretty much all I got out of the book. Its fluff. The poem that she wrote for the graduation speech was uninspired and bordering on too much like Oh The Places You'll Go. I actually cringed a little reading it because it was so lame.
And while I agree her 10 promises to herself are good, and thought provoking, like "I pledge to 'show up' in my life as myself, not as an imitation of anyone else." I still think for the most part the book is a bit pointless.
Skip it.
This book was not very good. While I agree its important to ask yourself, who you want to be, and I often incorrectly ask my own kids, 'what do you want to be?' thats pretty much all I got out of the book. Its fluff. The poem that she wrote for the graduation speech was uninspired and bordering on too much like Oh The Places You'll Go. I actually cringed a little reading it because it was so lame.
And while I agree her 10 promises to herself are good, and thought provoking, like "I pledge to 'show up' in my life as myself, not as an imitation of anyone else." I still think for the most part the book is a bit pointless.
Skip it.
August 31, 2010
This is foremost a graduation book for high school grads. Maria Shriver wrote this book after giving a speech at her nephew's graduation and at the prompting of those in attendance.
It appears that the speech evolved in the midst of Shriver's own identity crisis. This best part of this little book (91 pages) is her poem "Just Who Will You Be?" The poem focuses on fame (many high schoolers' dream) and the warning that fame is only a perception created by others and not who you really are.
The question of "Who will you be?" carries far more weight than the typical question "What will you be?" and I think requires much more work and inner reflection.
If you're not buying this for a grad, I would recommend just borrowing it from you library. It has a good message for young and old, but a little pricy if you ask me.
It appears that the speech evolved in the midst of Shriver's own identity crisis. This best part of this little book (91 pages) is her poem "Just Who Will You Be?" The poem focuses on fame (many high schoolers' dream) and the warning that fame is only a perception created by others and not who you really are.
The question of "Who will you be?" carries far more weight than the typical question "What will you be?" and I think requires much more work and inner reflection.
If you're not buying this for a grad, I would recommend just borrowing it from you library. It has a good message for young and old, but a little pricy if you ask me.
October 30, 2011
Genre: Self Help, Memoir, Non-Fiction
Rating: ****
Just Who Will You Be? is well-structured, direct and reflective. Shriver's message is honest, heart-felt and applicable to readers of all ages.
Summary:
Maria Shriver shares a speech she gave at her nephew's graduation ceremony. In addition to the text of the speech, Shriver shares personal thoughts, connecting stories and reflective questions related to her message.
Main Characters:
Author: The story is told from the author's personal story. Character structure is not used with this book.
Key Issues:
Self Awareness, Dreams, Obstacles/Challenges
Other Interesting Information:
In the text of the speech, Shriver shares a poem that could be used well with students. The poem is based on the idea of WHO do you want to be rather than WHAT do you want to be. It is very well-written.
Rating: ****
Just Who Will You Be? is well-structured, direct and reflective. Shriver's message is honest, heart-felt and applicable to readers of all ages.
Summary:
Maria Shriver shares a speech she gave at her nephew's graduation ceremony. In addition to the text of the speech, Shriver shares personal thoughts, connecting stories and reflective questions related to her message.
Main Characters:
Author: The story is told from the author's personal story. Character structure is not used with this book.
Key Issues:
Self Awareness, Dreams, Obstacles/Challenges
Other Interesting Information:
In the text of the speech, Shriver shares a poem that could be used well with students. The poem is based on the idea of WHO do you want to be rather than WHAT do you want to be. It is very well-written.
September 24, 2008
This short-and-sweet book sandwiches a transcript of a speech Shriver gave at a high school graduation ceremony between her motivation beforehand and reflections afterward.
It took me less than an hour to read (occasionally skim) this, because the message is presented in simple terms and repeated often for the young audience. Shriver's observations on fame and her search for identity are great for teens to hear, but I have to wonder if the larger message might have been lost on most of them. I don't think I would have "gotten it" at that age. The author figured all this out in her 50's after all.
But the Big Lesson, for those who really hear it (and I don't presume to be so self-aware), is quite profound.
It took me less than an hour to read (occasionally skim) this, because the message is presented in simple terms and repeated often for the young audience. Shriver's observations on fame and her search for identity are great for teens to hear, but I have to wonder if the larger message might have been lost on most of them. I don't think I would have "gotten it" at that age. The author figured all this out in her 50's after all.
But the Big Lesson, for those who really hear it (and I don't presume to be so self-aware), is quite profound.
December 5, 2009
Kenapa tertarik ingin membaca buku ini, awalnya karena liat oprah, yg menghadirkan penulis buku ini langsung Maria shriver, beberapa komentar dari para wanita yang membacaya memberikan kesan bahwa buku ini cukup banyak memberikan masukan dan memberikan masukan2 yang dapat merubah cara berfikir orang, terutama wanita pada umumnya, meskipun pada dasarnya buku ini di tunjukan untuk mereka yang masih SMU, kuliah atau setelah kuliah. Ada rasa tertarik ingin membacanya, dan dari ulasan2 yang di kemukakan oleh oprah, rasa2nya buku ini ingin juga aku miliki, nah masalahnya, berhubung kemampuan bhasa inggrisku di bawah normal rata2 pada umumnya, jadi aku gak yakin bisa membacanya, kecuali sudah ada dalam terjemahannya,,,hem,,,dan lagi apakah sudah beredar di indonesia ya?
April 27, 2008
I watched Oprah interview Maria Shriver about this book ... and was so excited to read it. Unfortunately, all the best parts (& then some) were covered on TV already. In fact, some of the most interesting stuff didn't make it into the book (about her childhood as a Kennedy ... and then a great discussion of Oprah's visit to the Kennedy compound & the afternoon of flag football competition she endured.) I was inspired by Maria's discussion of identity -- and how it's ok to continue to ask the question "what will I be when I grow up" well beyond high school graduation. I'd just recommend people try to find the verbal version on you tube or oprah.com v buying & reading the book!
October 20, 2012
A quick little book. I don't remember how I acquired this book, but I certainly am glad I didn't buy it full price. I think someone gave it to me to read a long time ago, and I finally came across it and it looked like it would be a quick read (which it was, maybe it took me an hour or so to read).
This book is based on a speech (poem) Maria recited at her nephew's graduation ceremony when asked to speak. The poem itself was WAY too long and the poem could have been shorter to get her point across. Anyhow, there were some good points/questions brought up in the book, but it's no nobel prize winner... that's for sure.
This book is based on a speech (poem) Maria recited at her nephew's graduation ceremony when asked to speak. The poem itself was WAY too long and the poem could have been shorter to get her point across. Anyhow, there were some good points/questions brought up in the book, but it's no nobel prize winner... that's for sure.
September 9, 2010
I think that I picked up this book at the perfect time in my life. I've lately been asking myself, "what I want to be when I grow up" and "who I will become." This book allowed me to reflect on the experiences I have had in the last nine months and really focus on "who I will be."
Shriver gives us a slight glimpse inside of her and reveals to us that even the most put together women question themselves.
Overall, it's a great eye-opener and allows us to see that it does not matter what others believe about you but what you believe about yourself. I would definitely recommend it.
Shriver gives us a slight glimpse inside of her and reveals to us that even the most put together women question themselves.
Overall, it's a great eye-opener and allows us to see that it does not matter what others believe about you but what you believe about yourself. I would definitely recommend it.
August 14, 2008
This book is actually a speech that Maria gave to her nephew's high school graduating class. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud a few times, Maria is very honest in relaying her message, which makes it that much more powerful. This is a very short book, I finished it in about thirty minutes, but I can see myself pulling it off of the shelf every once in awhile to give myself a boost in the right direction. This book has also left me interested in reading her other books in order to gleam more advice and insight from her life.
September 13, 2008
Very short book and quick read, but I really liked the message. It was a speech originally given at a high school graduation, but if I had heard it at that time in my life, the message definitely wouldn't have sunk in. I'm glad I read it now in my mid-thirties after another job move for my husband and trying to figure out what my role is in all of this. Basically, we're starting out fresh every single day, and we're all works in progress, and it's never too late to become the person you want to be. Just something I needed to hear right now....
September 20, 2008
"It's never too late to become the person you want to be...We're starting out fresh in the world every day...It's not what you do, but who you are."
Famous, vivacious Kennedy family member, ex-newscaster and wife of Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger (sp?) offers, in brief fashion, some trite but always helpful ideas about how we change through our decades.
Some of the writing, such as the poem she offers as a commencement address "Just Who Will You Be?" is quick-skim it's-OK-If-You-Miss-It stuff, but overall it's a worthwhile short read.
Famous, vivacious Kennedy family member, ex-newscaster and wife of Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger (sp?) offers, in brief fashion, some trite but always helpful ideas about how we change through our decades.
Some of the writing, such as the poem she offers as a commencement address "Just Who Will You Be?" is quick-skim it's-OK-If-You-Miss-It stuff, but overall it's a worthwhile short read.
October 3, 2008
I have a freakish addiction to reading anything by Maria Shriver and she didn't let me down with this one. It is a simple, easy, fast book to get through and after I read it once I thought that it was pretty basic with no "wow" moments in it. Then I read it again and found that I was reading about myself and my own feelings. The person I am was not predestined; I am not defined by my relationship to others. I am more than a wife, mother, nurse, etc., and this book reestablished that for me. Thanks, Maria - you made me really think.
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