“Do you mean, ‘Why am I here?’” more than one student asked, trying to narrow the question down to make it less ambiguous. I repeated the question, as I looked around the room at the faces looking back at me, without additional information – “Why are you here?” That’s a simple question, isn’t it?

The responses ranged from the specific, “I am enrolled in this summer program to gain knowledge about business”, to something much larger, a major purpose or calling in life. One student, for example, from Nepal, had a specific reason for being in the class and it was related to her major purpose in life, that of helping students in Nepal get a quality education. And that is the heart of the matter, the essence of the question “Why are you here?” What is your purpose in life? And, what are the things you want to do, see and experience in life, that at the end of it, you – by your definition – would say it was a success?

I had the same response as the students when I first read the question in a thought-provoking book by John Strelecky, the “Why Café”. In it, the main character is seeking to determine what he wants to do with his life. He realizes there is more to his life than what he is doing, yet, he can’t seem to figure it out. He can’t put his finger on the pulse of what motivates him. So, he starts out on a journey to seek the answer, and stumbles upon The Why Are You Here Café in the middle of nowhere. He notices three unusual questions printed on the back of the menu that help him find his way: Why are you here? Do you fear death? Are you fulfilled?Strelecky writes inspiring, motivating books with big questions that stimulate you to act. After his first book, he and his wife visited Africa and experienced a Safari, which led to his second book, "Life Safari,” and another intriguing question: “What are your big five for life?”

“What do you mean my big five for life?” you are probably saying. Well, Strelecky learned about the African Big Five on an African Safari. The big five are the rhinoceros, leopard, elephant, water buffalo and the lion. The measure of a successful safari is based on the number of the big five you see on your trip; the more, the better. That experience led Strelecky to focus on the “big five in life” in addition to helping people discover their purpose in life.

“Imagine if everything you did was focused on helping you do, see, or experience five things,” says Strelecky. “Five things so powerful, that if you did, saw, or experienced them, then you could say your life was a success – as you defined success for yourself. Those things are called your Big Five for Life.” It is a gauge for success, as you define it.

My Big Five for Life, today, include a national syndicated radio talk show, Conversations with Nigel Alston. Others include this column being syndicated, traveling the world, spiritual depth and understanding and publishing another book. I don’t know all the answers, which is why Strelecky asks a follow up question — “What can I do to help you?” Part of the reason for identifying your Big Five is to share them with others and find help along the way to facilitate your success. That’s why he has created a new community – “My Big Five For Life”.

I think I have identified and understand my purpose, mission for life. I have spent some time thinking about why I am here and what I want to do, see and experience in life to feel that it has been a success. What about you?

Why are you here? No, I don’t mean wherever you are reading this column. Really, why are you here? I believe that the most important thing any of us can do is determine our purpose in life and plant ourselves in the environment where we can grow and flourish. I didn’t forget the second question either: “What are your Big Five for Life?” The two questions are connected.

PS: Read these books by John Strelecky: The Why Café and Life Safari.