How to Be Here

In this penetrating book, Bell (Love Wins) explores the importance of focusing on the moment in order to create a fulfilled spiritual life. A 2000 boating accident left Bell with a concussion and memory loss, and during his week of recovery he had an epiphany: the present moment is where the joy and depth of life resides. Creativity, he says, is much more than artistic expression. It gets right at the heart of why people exist: every action taken is a way of "participating in the ongoing creation of the world." Bell urges readers to acknowledge that life is a gift, and that resentments or regrets signal a failure to acknowledge in each moment that they have received such a treasure. In a departure from his other books, this is as much a self-help message as a lesson on spirituality. Bell uses the Japanese concept of ikigai%E2%80%94finding one's reason for being%E2%80%94to describe how being present can lead to meaningful and rewarding work, leisure, and family life. Downplaying fears of failure, Bell tells readers that stumbling toward the ultimate goal of happiness in the present is simply an opportunity to learn . Bell's book generously provides effective, down-to-earth advice about living with awareness and clarity. (Mar.)