As a writer of Silicon Valley Moms Blog, I got the chance to meet and speak with Maria Shriver about her new book, Just Who Will You Be?. We met last night at a private book signing at Books Inc. in Palo Alto, California.
Maria made it easy to connect with her, as she talked openly about her journey to self-discovery. She started the night off by giving us what all women loved: ice cream! We all had a sampling of her new venture, Lovin' Scoopful, a new light ice cream that is yummy to eat, good for fitting into mommy jeans ( is 1/2 the fat and 1/3 of the calories) and loving to others with intellectual disabilities (25% of proceeds to go to Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization that Maria's mother founded). We even got a precious ice cream bowl painted by Special Olympic athletes!
The seed for Maria’s new book was planted when her husband was elected California’s Governor, and she suddenly found herself outside of her “award-winning network newswoman” role, leaving NBC News. Someone once stopped Maria on the street to ask if she was a model, to which her son answered, "Naah.. She's a housewife."
Even though Maria's led a life of privilege, power and fame, she said that she "felt empty", in “unchartered waters” during her transition from career to motherhood.
As I turned each page of her small but powerful book, I was stunned by the honest confession she put in print, for everyone to read. There was detail to every nuance she felt, as she opened up about her struggle with who she was, apart from the roles she's played throughout her life.
"Many of you may also feel that you are scrambling to fulfill your roles in everybody's life but your own. You may feel you're not entitled to show up as anyone but the perfect student, the perfect son or daughter, the perfect spouse or partner, the perfect employee or parent."Her words sounded a lot like my own life, having grown up the oldest in a single parent family. I had grown up quickly shouldering the responsibility and expectations to provide a better life for my mother and younger sister. I was the only English literate person when my parents were divorced and baby sister was just born. As a result, time and again, my own passion and interests took a back seat to our family's needs.
Now as a mom myself, I carry a role that demands nearly all of my time, energy, and creativity. Is there anything left for me?
On most days, between taking care of business, TJ, my hubby, the kitchen, the house and a few emails, it sure doesn't feel like it. There is just so little left.
Maria's story inspired me to focus on making choices that move me closer to who I am inside, rather than what I can do on the outside. I can't change the circumstances that are a part of every day reality. But, I can live my life in an authentic way, to pour my energy and attention into who I am and who I aspire to be, no matter what it is I choose to do.
But, what was truly inspirational to me, was underscored when I met Maria last night. In her book, Maria references her faith in God, her pledge to spend time in stillness each day, and living out her faith, which she says "can actually sustain me".
Meeting her in person, I could tell that Maria, indeed, was a woman who practiced what she preached. Her audience was Silicon Valley Moms last night. Moms with high achieving husbands, many with high profile positions throughout high tech landscape, all of us trying to find our way as moms and women with purpose.
Instead of powering through "here's the road to success" and "my secret to happiness", Maria answered all our questions with depth and transparency, as a work in progress. I was impressed by how kind and gentle she was in her answers, many of which were courageously confessional, challenging our perspectives on life in the Valley.
Check out the post I wrote on Private Highlights from Maria's Q&A at our private book signing with a mom bloggers. I think you'll be quite impressed with what she has to share (and it's not in the book!).
Standing in queue to have our books signed, I was excited to talk with her up close and personal. I was also able to share a moment with Maria, one on one. I told her about a recent decision I made to launch a new personal project even though it meant saying "No" to another worthy cause and opportunity. We talked bout her faith in God, which she says comes easy for her to talk about openly and publicly. "I just put it out there and don't worry about it."
Wow. It is very powerful to meet a woman who is so comfortable in her own skin. It definitely inspired me to finding my own voice. Let me wrap this post up by quoting from a poem Maria shared last night...
"The Journey" By Mary Oliver
and there was a new voiceIt's never too late.. To be who you were always meant to be.
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world
