YOUR MOVE!

November 5, 2004

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

"Thank you for your Happiness Newsletter. I have been receiving your free newsletter on the www.happinessclub.com website for quite sometime and although I have seen some great quotes and stories, I find myself in a constant state of unhappiness. I know happiness comes from within and I know I'm the only one who can change this. When I think back I cannot remember a time when I have been happy. I do have some happy memories for example, going to the zoo as a child or staying with grandparents and the birth of my two children. I need to somehow discover why I'm so unhappy. I have been through good and bad times as I'm sure we all have.

But even during the good times I still found myself unable to be happy. Does anyone have any suggestions for me on how I should proceed with determining the roots of my unhappiness? I'm not sure why, but I feel as though I do not deserve to be happy. I have a great ability to bring out happiness in others, my family, my friends and even people I meet for the first time. However, when it comes to my own happiness, I'm unsure how to proceed. I hope this note does not cause anyone any unhappiness." Thanks, David from Melbourne, Australia

Dear David, Thank you for your letter and questions. I would like to ask you for permission to use your question in one of my articles about happiness. I would like to answer your question in that article. Your question is exactly what many other people experience in their lives.

That would be fine Lionel. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. David

Dear David, It is extremely hard to go through life without feeling happiness within yourself. It is a wonderful thing that you have the ability and desire to bring it to so many others. This is more common than you might imagine. Since you have not experienced happiness even in the good times the answer lies within you. David, this is excellent news because you don't have to travel anywhere to get the answer you are looking for.

The key to your dilemma is contained in your statement, "I feel as though I do not deserve to be happy." You have never given yourself permission to be happy. David, as of right now I am giving you permission to be happy. If you take it…than you are accepting a gift. If you don't…than you are refusing a gift. You have been given the gift of happiness, but it is up to you to want it bad enough to use it. David you can decide right now to act like you are happy and start feeling happy. It is time…what are you waiting for? Life is short and happiness is the most important thing you can do.

You have experienced happiness in your life when you were younger, but not later in life. Do you know why that is? As we get older we think about everything much too much. It is not thinking David it is compulsive thinking. We over analyze, worry about everything and we call it thinking. Most people do not "think" they obsess over things. They allow the mind to be troubled. It is time to let your happiness lead your thinking, rather than allowing your unhappiness to lead your thinking. You made the statement, "I need to somehow discover why I'm so unhappy." David, that is not going to help you in any way whatsoever. All that will do for you is keep you thinking about your unhappiness.

It is time to go forward and to use happiness for your benefit. You know how helpless unhappiness can make you feel. It is time to know how powerful happiness can make you feel and function. My words can help, but you need to continually condition yourself to choose happiness. You must learn all you can about happiness. You can read the wonderful book, Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It, by Bob Nozik, M.D. Dr. Nozik is an amazing individual and he is in charge of the California Happiness Club. He has studied and learned how to personally remain happy for the last 18 years. He can show you how to do it as well. I can also recommend three books by Richard Carlson, Ph.D. Shortcut Through Therapy, You Can Be Happy No Matter What, and You Can Feel Good Again. There are many other books as well. We have a great deal of them on our web site.

Thank you for your interest in being happy because that is what will change the world. Congratulations for being brave enough to search for the happiness answer. Keep reading these articles, keep reading my newsletter and when unhappiness comes knocking, don't answer the door. Or, those unhappy thoughts will come right in and make themselves at home. You now can have a full house with happiness and there will be no more space for unhappiness. It is up to you! You asked for it and I hope you got it. What will you choose now? Let me give you a life saving hint, CHOOSE HAPPINESS!!! David, it is your time and it is your move. Remember David, IT IS ALWAYS YOUR MOVE!

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be on Thursday, November 18, from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. There will be a presentation called, "HAPPINESS HINTS!" The meeting will be held at the Sullivan Independence Hall, Fairfield. Admission is free; everyone is welcome. Look forward to seeing you. Come on down, meet some great people, get connected, and be happy.