Finding Meaning

September 19, 2007
BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, is the title of the great new book by Alan Alda. Yes, the same Alan Alda that was the star of M*A*S*H on TV for so many years. You might have seen Alan on TV recently talking about his new book. He is on the cover of this month's issue of Readers Digest and has been featured in so many more places.

Alan Alda wrote, "I was truly happy. And one day I said to myself, Is this all there is to life --- happiness?" Alan is a happy person, but when a happy person asks this question, wonderful things can happen. Of course, I never knew much about the real Alan Alda. This new book has not only given me a large look into his life, but even better, a chance to know a great human being.

Alan said: "I heard this voice while I was trying to go to sleep one night. The voice was coming from the back of my head. You know, really asking this kind of impertinent question. "So, tell me," the voice said, "do you think you've lived a life of meaning?" And I said, "Oh, come on. What are you, kidding?" And it said, "No, no. Really." I'm talking to myself, you know. And I said--it said, "Well, if you don't wake up tomorrow, will this have been a life that meant something?"

This kind of questioning got Alan to contemplate his life. He rediscovered the advice he had given in many of the speeches he delivered at graduation commencements and funerals for friends. Agreeing to give these talks scared him, but they also made Alan come alive because he overcame his fear. Alan began to find that his life had meaning for him.

I love the following closing lines he spoke at another commencement address. "If you can put a high value on decency; if you can put a high value on excellence --- and on family --- if you can love the people you share your lives with, and if you don't shortchange them for a few bucks; if you can love the work you do; if you can try not to lie, try not to cheat, try to do good just by doing well whatever you do …Then you will have made a revolution."

I feel that Alan is taking about a Happiness Revolution. It is not a movement with others that occurs on the outer level, but one that happens within you. It is one that you see as a way to live your life, so that you can find your own meaning and purpose.

One of the things that Alan wants to do is to live to be 106 years old. He is 70 now. I can say two things about Alan reaching that age, first of all that he has a good chance to live to an old age, because he is a comedian in the entertainment business and he likes to make people laugh and be happy. Many comedians have lived to a ripe old age. Secondly, after reading his book, I realize that Alan's life is about something bigger than he is. His life is about spreading wisdom, understanding, compassion and happiness to people. Alan shares himself with you. He is amazingly open and honest and you just can't help feeling like you have found a new friend.

In another college commencement address, Alan made these three points: 1. Make someone happy. 2. Find out how you can be helpful. 3. If you keep score, keep score your way. Don't let the world tell you success is a big house if you think success is a happy house."

I am so gratified to know that Alan Alda has uplifted his own life by thinking of others. He has found meaning in his life. Alan is a modern day American Zen Master, who can make you laugh and find meaning in your life. When Alan Alda talks to himself; we should be listening. I want to close this article about Alan's new book by borrowing a few lines from the closing of one of his speeches. "I'll let you go now. So long, be happy. Oh, by the way, I love you."

Our next meeting is a presentation by Alan Gettis, Ph.D. called: The Happiness Solution, Dr. Gettis is the author of The Happiness Solution and two other books. He is a clinical psychologist with graduate degrees from Central Michigan University, Utah State University, and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Gettis was a Vietnam era army psychologist serving at William Beaumont Hospital in 1969-1970. In the 1970's, he spent seven years at the West Bergen Mental Health Center as the Chief Psychologist. He has been a private practice psychologist for 30 years, specializing in individual psychotherapy mostly with people struggling with: Unhappiness, Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Anxiety, Anger, Relationship Problems and Substance Abuse. DrGettis@aol.com

The meeting is on Thursday, September 20, from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the Fairfield Public Library, in the Rotary Room at 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Don't miss this valuable talk. Admission is free; everyone is welcome. Meet some great people using happiness in their lives. Come on down, get connected, and step out with joy in your life! Looking forward to seeing you.

Lionel Ketchian is the founder of the Happiness Club and can be reached at PrintLRK@aol.com. The website is www.HappinessClub.com.