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How to Be Here: A Guide to Creating a Life Worth Living Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 1,210 ratings

The popular pastor and New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins and What We Talk About When We Talk About God shows us how to pursue and realize our dreams, live in the moment, and joyfully do the things that make us come alive.

Each of us was created for something great—we just need to figure out what it is and find the courage to do it. Whether it’s writing the next great American novel, starting a business, or joining a band, Rob Bell wants to help us make those dreams become reality. Our path is ours and ours alone to pursue, he reminds us, and in doing so, we derive great joy because we are living our passions.

How to Be Here lays out concrete steps we can use to define and follow our dreams, interweaving engaging stories, lessons from biblical figures, insights gleaned from Rob’s personal experience, and practical advice. Rob gives you the support and insight you need to silence your critics, move from idea to action, take the first step, find joy in the work, persevere through hard times, and surrender to the outcome.

Like Stephen Pressfield’s classic The War of Art, How to Be Here will inspire readers to seek the lives they were created to lead.


From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Bell has an uncanny ability to sneak beautiful truths past the bodyguards of our hearts and wake us up to more inspired, vibrant and complete lives. Every single part of How to Be Here is profound and inspiring (except for the blank pages; those did very little for me).” — Pete Holmes, star of the HBO comedy Crashing

“While reading this book, you get this crazy feeling that the matrix is being revealed, as infinite possibilities for your life start unfolding before your eyes. And all this miraculousness and excitement happens without a trace of darkness or danger; here is a wild journey that you can actually trust.” — Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic

“Listing all the ways in which Rob has positively impacted my life would take up too much space; so I’ll simply say that he has inspired me to live life with a deeper level of appreciation and to love people with a greater awareness of our connectivity.” — Aaron Rogers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers

“Bell will be joined by the likes of Brian McLaren, James Martin, Diana Butler Bass and Carol Howard Merritt.” — Christianity Today

“Forever grateful for the brilliant mind, boundless heart and fierce faith of Rob Bell. His work convinced me that it was possible--maybe necessary and thrilling--to be a person of both faith and intellect. . . . Please read everything Rob’s ever written and then go see him live.” — Glennon Doyle Melton, author of Carry On, Warrior

“This book lays out concrete steps we can use to define and follow our dreams. Bell interweaves engaging stories, lessons and biblical figures, insights gleaned from his personal experience, and practical advice.” — Publishers Weekly

“Bell continues to share pastoral wisdom . . . incorporating personal stories of struggle as well as those of key figures in the Bible, Bell also addresses how to identify and pursue your passions. The book encourages people to take the initial step towards joy and empowerment.” — Publishers Weekly

“Because he’s Rob Bell, he packed How to Be Here with plenty of inspiration and provocation for his readers to follow suit.” — Relevant Magazine

“If you want to start living a life that you create with intention, instead of falling out of bed only to fall back into it, this book is for you. I can’t offer a higher recommendation. This work changed my life, and I believe it can change yours too.” — Mike McHargue (aka Science Mike)

“Engaging, accessible, and engrossing.” — Englewood Review of Books

From the Back Cover

Combining spiritual wisdom with practical life advice, international teacher and New York Times bestselling author of Love Wins and What We Talk About When We Talk About God, Rob Bell guides and inspires readers to discover the life they were meant to live.

He writes, “Life is not something that happens to you. You take what you have been given and you get to shape it, form it, steer it, make it into something. And you have way more power to do this than you realize. What you do with your life is fundamentally creative work: the kind of life you lead, what you do with your time, how you spend your energies—it’s all part of how you create your life. It’s all part of being here.”

The result is a refreshing and unique manual for finding purpose, joy, and meaning in your life, and wisdom for how to keep moving forward on your path. For the recent graduate or for anyone feeling stuck or unfulfilled, Rob Bell provides wise and spiritually rich advice that you will find yourself returning to again and again.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ICN507A
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne (March 8, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 8, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 724 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 215 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,210 ratings

About the author

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Rob Bell
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Rob Bell is the New York Times Bestselling author of fourteen books and plays which have been translated into 25 languages. His visual art can be seen on Instagram @realrobbell, his band is HUMANS ON THE FLOOR, and his podcast is called The RobCast. Rob lives with his family in Ojai, California.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,210 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and thought-provoking, with thought-provoking stories that can change their paradigm on life. Moreover, the book is simple and straightforward, won't take long to read, and customers appreciate its elegant style and humor. However, the depth receives mixed reviews, with some finding it deep while others say it lacks substance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

107 customers mention "Readability"93 positive14 negative

Customers find the book well written and very helpful, with many appreciating the good points made throughout.

"...the ability to take these profound deep truths and condense them into a sentence that makes you say ,"Ohhh, of course!..." Read more

"...There was some really great information and some stuff I thought was repeated quite a bit...." Read more

"...The book is written with very simple language, but the impact of the concepts are huge and transforming...." Read more

"...This little book is written in very simply language with great stories, some funny, some quite poignant, and Rob has a way of being vulnerable in..." Read more

74 customers mention "Thought provoking"74 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and inspiring, with great reminders about being mindful and stories that can change one's perspective on life.

"I love how Rob seems to have mastered the ability to take these profound deep truths and condense them into a sentence that makes you say ,"Ohhh..." Read more

"Like most of Bell's books it was an easy quick read, with some great thoughts...." Read more

"...The book is written with very simple language, but the impact of the concepts are huge and transforming...." Read more

"...This little book is written in very simply language with great stories, some funny, some quite poignant, and Rob has a way of being vulnerable in..." Read more

21 customers mention "Ease of use"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book simple and straightforward, with one mentioning that Rob's style is easy to apply.

"...I read the book in a day. So quick and easy! Thanks Rob" Read more

"...I will give him this one next. Robs style is so easy to apply to our so called every day lives. Another great read." Read more

"...If you've never read him, Rob's style is easy. He writes in a monologue. You can follow his cadence in the text...." Read more

"...This is an easy but very convicting look at our distracted lives and what it might look like to let go of regret, let tomorrow take care of itself,..." Read more

9 customers mention "Pace"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pace, noting that it won't take long to read, with one customer mentioning it's a nice change of pace from past books.

"...I read the book in a day. So quick and easy! Thanks Rob" Read more

"...This one is a nice change of pace from past books which may have seemed a little heavier...." Read more

"Easy to follow, quick read. Great book to help refocus and improve your path in life. Highly recommended. Worth the couple bucks it is priced." Read more

"This book won't take long to read but will have long lasting effects on your life. I've read it... then read it again...." Read more

7 customers mention "Style"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the style of the book, finding it elegant, with one customer noting that the author's writing is relaxing to read.

"...Pretty sweet. It's not deep, it's not heady, it's just full of truth and stories." Read more

"Robs style is so relaxing and engaging. Love Wins is still my favorite and I buy copies just to give away...." Read more

"...Rob Bell has a fantastic style that makes complicated subjects easy to understand through repetition, poetic formatting, and an innate ability to..." Read more

"...Beautiful, elegant and brilliant." Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with some finding it funny, and one customer noting how it moves from laughter to tears in a single sentence, while another appreciates its conversational tone.

"...little book is written in very simply language with great stories, some funny, some quite poignant, and Rob has a way of being vulnerable in his..." Read more

"...Easy to identify with and some humorous anecdotes. Good, quick read." Read more

"...And I'm amazed by the words he used and how simple but straight forward this book...." Read more

"So very Different - from laughter to tears in one sentence." Read more

7 customers mention "Depth"3 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the depth of the book, with some finding it deep while others say it lacks substance.

"...It is distracting. It is obvious that he would come back and record chapters in another session...." Read more

"...Pretty sweet. It's not deep, it's not heady, it's just full of truth and stories." Read more

"...Not that well written, and also incredibly obvious and not really that insightful...." Read more

"Easy to read and alot of good points. It gives more depth if you have listened to the podcast as well" Read more

This is a self help book, NOT a spiritual book
2 out of 5 stars
This is a self help book, NOT a spiritual book
Having read Bell's Velvet Elvis and Love Wins, I was expecting something similar. Those books are deeply insightful about spirituality and Christianity, with a very progressive analysis of the Bible. I was expecting more of that in this book, but that's not what that is. There's very little direct mention of anything Bible related, and actually one time when he does reference a Bible story, he apologizes for it... As if his target audience doesn't want to hear it. Instead this book is just various practical suggestions about how to have a more relevant and meaningful life. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that... just perhaps not what many Bell fans would come to expect. So if you're looking for an easy to read, pick me up book, then this may be for you. But if you're looking for something related to Christianity or spirituality, then I'd advise to steer clear of it.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
    I love how Rob seems to have mastered the ability to take these profound deep truths and condense them into a sentence that makes you say ,"Ohhh, of course! Why didn't I think of that?" These are peppered throughout the book and definitely make it worth reading.

    On to the content of the book, I'm not really sure what I was expecting, and that's what I got. I had preordered the book in a time when I was wrestling with work life balance. Even when I was home I couldn't find a way to be working since the nature of my job involves a lot of creativity and complex thought. Rob's solution seems to be getting a closed head injury, which turned out to be tremendous advice. So what is the book about? Presence? Living life? Spirituality? Christianity? Creativity? Yes. It's about all those. It's a reminder that life is a gift that we've been given, and with it we can choose to partner with the Divine in the ongoing creation of the world. Pretty sweet. It's not deep, it's not heady, it's just full of truth and stories.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2016
    Like most of Bell's books it was an easy quick read, with some great thoughts. It really is a self help book to get you more focused on what your life is all about. There was some really great information and some stuff I thought was repeated quite a bit. But otherwise if your a Rob Bell fan you will like it, and if you need help with a bit of focus in life, go ahead and grab it too!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2016
    Great book! Rob has helped pull me out of a particularly difficult time in my life yet again. (The first time was with his DVD Nooma - Rain) I have the book and have listened to it twice already on audiobook. The book is written with very simple language, but the impact of the concepts are huge and transforming. Rob states things that I have often felt, but found difficult to articulate. This book is great for anyone regardless of stage in life, from new college grads, to those who are in midst of suffering, to the stressed parent, or the middle aged person who feels like there should be something more than just the rat race of work. I would, and have been, highly recommending this book to everyone I see. It is a short easy read that can change your paradigm on life in just a few moments.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
    What can I say that hasn't already been said a million times over about Rob Bell's work??!! This guy is one of the most inspiring people on the planet. I have read lots of his work, and I am a changed individual because of it.

    This little book is written in very simply language with great stories, some funny, some quite poignant, and Rob has a way of being vulnerable in his writing and connecting with so many. Read this one in one sitting, it's that easy to read and that good!! It will inspire you to live your best life, to reach for your dreams, and to be present in all of it. I could not recommend this book any higher, and it has the full 5 star rating.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
    This is an intriguing book, but also a bit random. I find Rob Bell very interesting and insightful, and this book has a lot of those moments. The challenge for me was that I often found ideas to be left behind before they were fully processed.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021
    I love Rob Bell, I am an avid follower of a lot of his DVD's and literature, and I think his storytelling approach is a fantastic way to get his point across to target audiences. While the nuances or in-depth of HOW might not be something clearly demonstrated, he is a master storyteller and this book is no exception. The storytelling approach makes this an easier read and enjoyable, while still driving points across and making it possible to retain information, experiences, and, well, stories.

    Love this book and would recommend again and again.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2016
    Rob Bell is a story teller. This is his gift. He weaves stories to make a point. It's also frustrating, too. Recently I was asked to lead a study group on this book. The stories are great and easy to remember, but the main thrust of the book, about being present, isn't quite articulated well.

    If you listen to the Robcast, many of these stories will already be familiar. This is a good book and teaches many valuable lessons about living life in its fullest, but he never quite gets to the point about How to be Here.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2016
    Loved Rob Bell's book. He says everything I was already thinking! It was a great realization that we are not alone in our thoughts of stopping ourselves from reaching for whatever our goals or passions are. The "blinking line" is everyone's nemesis unless we see it as an asset, which it is. It is our story, our reason for being and even with all of the falling down in between, Rob reminds us to get up and go again. Never stop. We will fall at times, we will get tired, but the end results or worth every moment. I read the book in a day. So quick and easy! Thanks Rob
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, inspiring, thoughtful
    Reviewed in Germany on April 20, 2021
    Great read, I've read it several times and jump on again occasionally.
  • @Truly.Tried
    5.0 out of 5 stars WE can unlock our full potential and find meaning and purpose in our lives.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 28, 2023
    I recently read "How to Be Here: A Guide to Creating a Life Worth Living" by Rob Bell and it completely resonated with me. As someone who often feels overwhelmed and disconnected from my life, this book was exactly what I needed to hear. Bell's writing is incredibly relatable and he has a way of breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable steps. The exercises and tips he provides are easy to implement and have already helped me to feel more present and connected in my daily life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for guidance on how to create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

    "How to Be Here: A Guide to Creating a Life Worth Living" by Rob Bell is a well-written and insightful book that provides readers with practical advice on how to live a more fulfilling life. Bell's approach is grounded in mindfulness and presence, and he provides readers with tools and exercises to help them cultivate these qualities in their daily lives. While some of the concepts in the book may seem familiar to those who have read other self-help books, Bell's writing is engaging and his insights are backed up by research and personal experience. Overall, this is a solid book that is worth reading for anyone interested in personal growth and development.

    "How to Be Here: A Guide to Creating a Life Worth Living" by Rob Bell is an inspirational book that encourages readers to live their lives to the fullest. Bell's writing is uplifting and positive, and he provides readers with practical advice and exercises to help them achieve their goals. What sets this book apart is its emphasis on mindfulness and presence - Bell argues that by being fully present in the moment, we can unlock our full potential and find meaning and purpose in our lives. The book is filled with inspiring stories and examples of people who have used these principles to transform their lives. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone looking to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

    Viviane Presa - Toronto 2023
  • Tristan Sherwin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent, well written, and never long, book from Rob!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2016
    So let me be really honest before we start.

    I am no fan of self-help books. As I've written elsewhere, they can have a tendency to tap into fear more than hope; feeding our anxiety about being a nobody. They're usually full of cheap clichés and impotent anecdotes and twelve steps that lead nowhere. And often, they result in leaving people more exhausted, burdened and disillusioned as they try and exhibit the book's mantras.

    Take for example those relationship books that promise a better, more enriching relationship. So people buy them, and end up missing and sabotaging the uniqueness and beauty of what they already have through grasping for the faux assembly-line product that someone else tells them that they should have.

    As I said, I'm no fan of self-help. It'd be better called self-destruct. And it irritates me that it sells as well as it does. So I avoid it -- with an extremely wide radius.

    But along comes Rob, with his clear and well-honed communication skills and does, what I feel, is very subversive to the whole genre!

    This isn’t really a “self-help” book -- though it appears to be one. This isn’t a book that seeks to encourage us to let go of now in order to grab at more transcendental expectations and experiences. Rob’s few words here evoke the immanency of life, seeking to ground us more in the here and now; helping us to see the wonder that this present moment holds.

    *How To Be Here* does exactly what it says on the cover, without leaving the reader with a large headache, an unrealistic to-do list or a side order of depression. And as someone who is prone to the latter, it's nice to read a book that didn't nuance that.

    This didn't leave me feeling terrible about my place or progress in life, but actually more thankful, grateful and hopeful about it.

    I got a lot from this. If I'm honest, I'm wrestling with a huge sense of displacement at the moment -- thinking that life will happen if I locate myself elsewhere but here -- so I needed this. It resonated in some deep levels as I read through the chapters. It's helped me to reconnect with the present and to explore and rejoice in what I find here.

    *How To Be Here* is a book that actually helps.

    Another excellent, well written, and never long, book from Rob!

    -- Tristan Sherwin is the author of *Love: Expressed*
  • Naomi
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm here
    Reviewed in Australia on March 15, 2016
    Such a joy to read this book. So simple yet so deep. Rob is a fantastic storyteller with such a compelling take on the world. This book is suited for everyone. Every age and every level of personal development. Just beautiful.
  • Elbu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gottedbild reloadet
    Reviewed in Germany on March 28, 2016
    Tolles Buch. Sehr spannend. Jeder der, jede die sein /ihr Gotttesbild neu bedenken möchte, wird von diesem Buch sehr profitieren.
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