Maria Shriver first came on my radar when she appeared on Oprah with her first book, Ten Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went out into the Real World, based on a commencement speech she gave to a college audience.  During the interview, I remember Oprah saying that Maria was one of her best friends. I thought, “What is it about Maria Shriver that would make Oprah choose her as a best friend?”  I didn’t read the book until recently; then that question was answered.

A few weeks ago, my best friend mentioned that she was reading Maria’s first book. She was so enthusiastic about it that I got the book and read it too.  It was a fast read and I loved it!  Maria is so authentic and self-revealing. I enjoyed Maria’s candor so much, it inspired me to read her 2008 book, Just Who Will You Be? This book is based on a commencement speech Maria gave to a high school audience. Maria answers the question: “Just who you will be is up to you. Who I will be is Maria.”

This posting is not about the books Maria wrote.  It is about the 10 pledges she lists in the back of her latest book.  I think they are so timely for us.  These are Maria’s Pledges:

1. I pledge to “show up” in my life as myself, not as an imitation of anyone else.
2. I pledge to avoid using the word “just” to describe myself. For example, I won’t say, “I’m just a mother,” or “I’m just a student,” or “I’m just an ordinary person.”
3. I pledge to give myself ten minutes of silence and stillness every day to get in touch with my heart and hear my own voice.
4. I pledge to use my voice to connect my dreams to my actions.
5. I pledge to use my voice to empower myself and others.
6. I pledge to serve my community at least once a year in a way that will benefit other people.
7. I pledge to ask myself, “Who am I? What do I believe in? What am I grateful for? What do I want my life to stand for?”
8. I pledge to sit down and write my own mission statement.
9. I pledge to live my own legacy.
10. And I pledge to pass it on.

Maria encourages us each to make our own list of pledges. So I did. These are my pledges adapted from Maria’s list:
1. same
2. same, adding: I’ll say, “I am Sylvia.”
3. I pledge to give myself thirty minutes of stillness every day to connect with Spirit, align with the best part of me and hear my inner voice.
4. same
5. same
6. I pledge to turn my day over to Spirit, (my Higher Self) that I might be guided by the best of me rather than by my ego.
7. same, adding: “What am I passionate about today?”
8. I pledge to bring attention back to the now moment as soon as I realize it has wandered off into the future or the past.
9. I pledge to face my fear and to appreciate the opportunity it provides me to integrate it into the whole of who I am.
10. And I pledge to pass it on. 

In the enthusiasm that Maria intended, I am passing on these pledges and inviting you to think about what pledges you would be willing to make and live by. Maria will be serving her community (pledge #6) this week at the Annual Woman’s Conference 2008, http://sylviasilk.com/2008/10/17/special-gift-from-oprah.aspx

Until you return, fill your days with COURAGE, COMPASSION, and lots and lots of APPRECIATION for what you do have!

Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Doctor of Divinity, Spiritual Coach, Reconnective Healing Practitioner, Writer