Customer Reviews

The Why Are You Here Café

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Why Café by John Stelecky is a story of a man who happens onto an all night café and finds 3 compelling questions on a menu. Why Are You Here? Do You Fear Death? Are You Fulfilled? Sparked by a fun and interesting midnight conversation, he begins to contemplate his purpose for existing, his PFE.

Until we know what our PFE is and discover activities that help us fulfill it, we waste time and energy on lots of things. Those who don't take steps to discover and fulfill their PFE are those who fear death. We are fulfilled by working toward our PFE. What would life be like if you were always doing the things you wanted to do, and feeling passionate about it? Events would begin falling synchronistically in place to help support you along the way, and you'd notice one lucky coincidence unfold after another. You'd begin seeing the world with new eyes, and noticing new opportunities.

This isn't a heavy self help book; this is a delightful story with fun and compelling insights. After reading it, you too will be well on your way to finding your own PFE. Andrea de Michaelis, Publisher Horizons Magazine, Spiritual Solutions For Florida Since 1992 www.horizonsmagazine.com

I'm not just talking out my ass here. I have been a life and transformational coach for over three years now. And when I read this book, I could not put it down. In fact, I was so deeply touched and humored by the author's fantastic way of illustrating such a profound paradigm shift-- that I just had to write my thoughts down right then and there! So, since I was on a plane at the time, with nothing to write on-- the Giorgio Armani, perfume ad, became my outlet!

The points the author writes about are simple and I'm sure we have all heard some variation of them in some way or another. However, what's so powerful about this little blue book is the way the author articulates and illustrates these points; creatively, humorously, vividly and profoundly.

To me, this is the book that will cause critical mass in the world. By this I mean, this is the book that will have every person, stop surviving life and start living life, passionately!

I guess it's true that big things come in small packages. Thank you Why Cafe!

Ok, I know this isn't a discussion board, but come on, what is that other guy thinking.

If all that new books did was reference old books then the new books wouldn't be all that interesting would they?

I read this book because a friend was raving about it one night when we were discussing why so many people seem so miserable.
This story totally hits it. People just aren't tapped into what they really want to do with their life.

We buy off on all the ads and promos (by the way, I thought the piece on advertising was genius. I don't know if anyone has written about it before, but I hadn't heard about it before. And considering that there is someone trying to sell you things everywhere you turn, apparently even if someone has written about it before, the problem hasn't been solved! Maybe twenty more people should write about it so that we can finally start opening our inboxes without 100 pieces of spam sitting there.)
and then the next thing you know we're so far in debt we can't imagine ever quitting to go do something new or fun.

That's the piece that's so powerful about this book. Figure out what you want to do in life that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. Then go do it. Is it simple, sure. Are most people getting it, no. But when you get done reading this you definitely feel like its a lot more possible to do, and you feel more motivated to give it a try.

I don't really care if people have been searching for why they are here for centuries. I won't be around that long. Knowing that other people have been searching doesn't help me. What I wanted to know, and what I got from this, is that there is definitely an option to just following the unhappy herd.

This book taps into the deepest question there is- Why are you here? And unlike many books which claim to be able to tell you what your answers should be, this one gives you space to figure it out on your own. It was a pleasure to read something where the author didn't automatically assume they knew what was best for the rest of the world.

By the way, to the other guy's comment, just because you can post a few reviews doesn't make you anything special. Gimme a break.

I was given this book to read on a plane trip and got so wrapped up in it that I never even opened my honey roasted nuts.

It's a great story and it really got me thinking about my own life. I want to read more from this author, but I can't find anything else he's written.

I made The Why Cafe my book club selection and we all loved it.

The Why Cafe is a very short, easy to read book that really tries to answer the age-old question, "Why are you here"?

According to John Strelecky, it is because of your PFE (Purpose for Existing).

Other questions Strelecky attempts to answer, or get you to answer, are "Do you fear death" and "Are you fulfilled?"

Numerous authors have addressed these questions. Strelecky, perhaps in reference to the latte generation, posits these questions in conversations at a cafe with a lost traveler, a waitress, and a cook (the owner of the cafe).

For example, if you forget that you should go with the flow, and not fight the currents of life, then you should study the green sea turtle as the waitress, Casey, did when she was snorkeling off the coast of Hawaii (by the way, the green sea turtle is called "honu" in the Hawaiian language).

Why don't people know their PFE? They were never exposed to the concept, or they don't believe they had the right or the ability to seek an answer to this question.

Perhaps they should read Siddhartha.

And that is my concern about this book. I have no problems with people seeking their PFE, discussing it, and finding it. It's just that people HAVE been searching for this for a very, very long time. Strelecky makes no reference to this ancient search, and thus misses this opportunity to expand the minds of his readers. He sets a stage, and then drops the ball. Where's the beef?

There are a few pages in the back of book club-type discussion questions. All in all, this was a very shallow overview of some of humanity's very deep questions.

I loved this book. It is the journey of one man to a magical cafe in the middle of the middle of nowhere. He's tense, unhappy and frustrated - a condition that plagues much of our society. At this average little diner he discovers the answers to three of life's greatest questions.

At only 126 pages, it was simple and to the point; a handbook for self-discovery. But don't let it's simplicity fool you. Just because the answers to life's questions are simple does not mean they are easy.

There is also has a handy "Reader's Guide" at the end of the book that is great for either guiding discussion groups or just enhancing one's own self development process.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who finds themselves frustrated and at loss as to their life direction. Whether you are starting your journey of self-discovery, or are a seasoned traveler, The Why Cafe provides simple solutions that are easily implemented and acted upon. John P. Strelecky's writing is enjoyable and easy to process. You WILL get the point when you are done reading this book.

What do you really want to be doing in your life? Are you in a job that you hate? Then why are you doing that?

This is a great little book that tells a story and makes you WANT to take a look at your own life and decide what it is you really want to be doing, and it shows you a simple way to start doing it. The author suggests gradual do-able things like spending an hour a day doing what it is you want to do. Then, when you have that down, increase it to two and so on. It also reinforces that the universe will back you when you follow your heart and do what it is you really want to be doing. Why does everyone think we're here to be miserable? -We're not! We're supposed to be happy NOW -and not put it off till we retire.

I liked the 'Green Sea Turtle' story a lot -it's a great analogy that tells you to stop fighting/swimming against the tides, and instead ride the waves!

This book came to me when I was contemplating changing careers from something I really like, and want to be doing, to something that I felt like I 'should' do. It also reminded me of the title of another book called "Do What You Love And The Money Will Follow."

I really liked the part about how advertising adversely affects us all -how we see these images displayed in front of us, like bait dangling on a string. Here's an excerpt from the book that I liked a lot: "The Challenge, he said, is to realize that something is fulfilling because we individually determine it is fulfilling, not because someone else tells us it is." -Wow!-loved that part!

I finsihed this book in 2 sittings, -could easily be done in one if you're not distracted. I came away feeling better for have read this, and I realized that I needed to read this right when I did. I would highly recommend this book to give as gifts.

I've been a teacher for a long time and one of the biggest challenges I see students face is trying to figure out where they fit in. Then they get out of school and try to figure out where they fit with the general societal norms.

And the whole time what they are really struggling with is trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.

This is the best book I've found that breaks life down into something so simple and so clear that even my non-reading students read it. And not only do they read it, but they get it, and they LOVE IT!

Easy to read, difficult to forget, and that's a good thing because these are the "aha" moments you want to carry with you.

It's a story that you'll find yourself going back to on a regular basis.

This book goes way beyond your typical "purpose for existence" book. John masterfully brings you into the café and presents very thought provoking concepts that are applicable to whatever you are pursuing and working towards (whether it be life in general or a specific path/journey that you are on). This self-illuminating book is an easy read with a simple, but powerful message. I can't wait for more from this author.

In the midst of dealing with my kids, my job, and about a million other things, my best friend sent me this book. It sat there for about three weeks and then one night I just felt compelled to sit and read it. I figured I would just flip through a couple of pages. Right. Next thing I know two hours are gone and I'm asking myself "Why am I here?" (one of the questions on the cafe menu)

This was exactly what I needed. A wake-up call to start putting my PFE back at the top of my priority list.

It's not a deep, plod through philosophy book, which thank God because I never would have had time for. Yet at the same time it made me think about some pretty big life questions that I haven't thought of in a while. Its certainly led to some interesting discussions with my husband and my friend who sent it to me.