The book is Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within by Maria Shriver and would be an ideal gift for a graduate (either from High School or College). You’ll want to be certain to do one thing, however, and that’s read it before you pass it along! It’s of the utmost value for everyone. Why? I’ll let Maria Shriver’s own words explain:
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. – Maria Shriver, Just Who Will You Be?
The book includes a really inspiring and beautiful speech Maria Shriver gave to her nephew’s senior class. After the speech, students and parents, alike, came up to her thanking her for her words and telling her what they meant to them. Soon thereafter, the idea for the book came about – giving a much wider audience to the speech and it’s inspirational message.
If I were shopping for a graduation present for someone special, I’d go out and buy a great card, a bright gift bag, and some cool tissue paper. Then I’d get a copy of Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. and nestle it into the toilet paper. Since the gift would probably be for a really young person, I’d also buy and add a great necklace, candy, a gift card, or money to the bag as well. On the card I’d point out how the message inside the book will do them a lot more good than anything else in the bag. Even if that something else is chocolate.
The really beautiful thing about this book is that it will touch the graduate not only on the day you give it to him/her but everyday for the rest of their life. It doesn’t get much better than that.
**** Be sure you read the book first! It’s beautifully written and the message is huge.
UPDATE:
I just discovered that this amazing little book is also available as a CD (pictured below). It’s read by Maria Shriver – how cool’s that? The Just Who Will You Be CD would also make an excellent gift.
