Dear Happy Friends:),

Dear Happy Friends:),

Welcome to our Happ-E-Newsletter for August 15, 2001.

LET'S CONTINUE CELEBRATING ADMIT YOU'RE HAPPY MONTH!

This is a bimonthly newsletter whose purpose is to remind you to BE HAPPY. It will also let you know about meetings, happiness information, and a copy of the Be Happy Zone Articles published twice a month in the Fairfield Citizen-News. Read today's article: Happiness Hero! Enjoy it, and send it on to your friends.

Happ-E-Web Site:) Join us in celebrating Admit You're Happy Month in August.
CELEBRATE ADMIT YOU'RE HAPPY MONTH
Check out The Secret Society of Happy People.
Click here: The Secret Society of Happy People
We're more comfortable airing our dirty laundry than telling people we've had a happy moment. The Society believes happiness is contagious and that when more people talk about happy events and moments, it will be chic for everyone to do it.

Happ-E-Mail:) We would like to thank Robert Sanzo from Parade Magazine for sending us a copy of the August 6, issue that says:
August Is Happy Month
Happy people aren't likely to be invited to tell their life stories on TV talk shows, but studies show a positive outlook can help people live longer. In an effort to get people to be happy, the Texas-based Secret Society of Happy People has made August its "Admit You're Happy Month." The group's Web site, www.sohp.com, has a Happy IQ Quiz, activity suggestions and e-greeting cards to spread happiness. They hope all this cheer rubs off, so people spend less time talking about what makes them miserable.

It is really great that the press is publishing more work on happiness and spreading the awareness to many readers.

Happ-E-Book Quote:) "Whenever he started to get discouraged he reminded himself that what he was doing, as uncomfortable as it was at the moment, was in reality much better than staying in the Cheeseless situation. He was taking control, rather than simply letting things happen to him." Who Moved my Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Happ-E-Book Recommendation:) Who Moved my Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
This is a good book, and it is now #3 on the Walden Book List. I would like to thank don Barnett for recommending it to me.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Then he laughed and realized that he had started to change as soon as he had learned to laugh at himself and at what he had been doing wrong. He realized the fastest way to change is to laugh at your own folly -- then you can let go and quickly move on." Who Moved my Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Happ-E-Gram:) Thank you to Joanne Pettiti in CT for sending us this e-mail, it's called:

"God, speak to me"

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And, the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle" And, a life was born. But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here" Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted even in our electronic age. So I would like to add one more:

The man cried "God, I need your help" . . .and an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement But, the man deleted it and continued crying.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect. Expect the unexpected. Have A Happy Day!

Happ-E-Mail:) We want to hear form you, spread your happiness, that is the surest way of Being Happy!

Do you have any inspirational, positive, happy, e-mail. Have you found any articles on happiness that you would like to share with us? Send it to PrintLRK@aol.com. If you would like mail it to: Happiness Club, 63 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06430.

Click here: www.happinessclub.com

Happ-E-Mail Response:) We would like to thank Charles Miller for sending us this great quote:

"The happiest people are those who think the most
interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as
a means of mental development, who love good music,
good books, good pictures, good company, good
conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And
they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause
of happiness in others."
- William Lyon Phelps, Author of the book Happiness.

Happ-E-University:) Don't miss the course "Be Happy No Matter What!" I will be doing at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. If your not happy all the time, you need to be here. It is a four week course by Lionel Ketchian and will be held every Tuesday beginning 10/09-10/30 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Call Gloria at SHU 365-7587 for registration.

Happ-E-Power:) "Do the thing and you will have the power" - Emerson

Happ-E-Coaching:) Nothing should be in the way of your "Being Happy." If there is, maybe coaching is an answer for you. I am available for private coaching sessions. If interested, send an e-mail to coachpower@aol.com

Happ-E-Thought:) "Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands." - Seneca

Happ-E-Meeting:) Join us for our next meeting. The HAPPINESS CLUB will present: "Being Happy" by Lionel Ketchian, come on down and meet some happy people.

Date:) June 28, 2001
Place:) Fairfield Public Library
Topic:) "Being Happy"
Time:) 7:00 - 8:30 P.M.
In the:) Rotary Room
Address:) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06430
Open to the Public and Admission is Free
Call Lionel Ketchian (203) 258-7777 or E-mail: PrintLRK@aol.com
http://www.happinessclub.com

Directions to the Fairfield Public Library
From New York - I- 95, Exit 21, Mill Plain Road, Right at bottom of ramp. Under railroad overpass. Left at light (Rt. 1), 1/2 mile on right

From New Haven - I- 95, Exit 22, North Benson Road. Left at bottom of ramp. Under railroad overpass. Right at light (Rt. 1), 1/2 mile on left

See you all at our next meeting, Thursday, September 13, 2001.

Stay Happ-E!:)
Make it a Happy Day:)
Lionel
P.S. Make sure to read the article below: Happiness Hero!

August 1, 2001
Fairfield Citizen-News
BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

Happiness Hero!

You may not know it, but if you look carefully you may be
near a happiness hero. They are everywhere. They may be serving you food at a restaurant, or helping you on the phone with a purchase. There are people everywhere that like to make you happy. Believe it or not they have their problems just like you do.

Each time I go to Uno's in Fairfield, I meet a man that is extremely positive and has a fantastic attitude. While having lunch last week he stopped by my table to say hello and share his usual positive conversation with us. I asked him how he stays so positive all the time. It was the answer to that question which brought the response that even I found incredible. He said that he had lost his wife one year ago. After hearing about his tragic experience, I was curious to know how he could be so positive. I would like to share with you what I discovered about Brad Axelrod, the general manager at Uno's in Fairfield.

Lionel: What happened to your wife? Brad: She developed cancer and passed away one year ago. Lionel: How long were you married? Brad: Doreen and I were married for fifteen years. Lionel: Were you prepared for such a thing. Brad: Nothing prepares you for a thing like this. I have two children, eleven and thirteen years old, and they lost their Mom at a young age. I still have my Mom. I have to fill the void for their loss, and I can't do it by sitting around feeling sorry for myself. I have to lead by example. If I don't lead by example than that is more than I can preach. Let's face it kids see what you do, and they do what you do. So I really concentrated on this. I knew for my wife and my kids, I had to. So I do what I have to do.

Lionel: I think you are a success for dealing with such an unfortunate event so well. Brad: Never in my life have I gone through anything as tough as the loss of my wife. We were partners; she was my soul mate. Nothing can compare with how tough this has been, and I was in business for myself for eighteen years. I started my own business. I was the former owner of Treehouse Comedy Club. Lionel: Did you meet some famous people? Brad: Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Sam Kinison, Chris Rock, Rosie O'Donnell, all worked for me and I knew them on a personal level. Rodney Dangerfield used to come into my club all the time, and work out material. I was the first guy to bring comedy into CT. At one point I had four clubs in the state going at the same time. I opened my original club in Westport in 1983. Then in 1990 I started opening up these satellite comedy clubs around the state. Lionel: At the time you were in business, did you think it was tough? Brad: Yes, I went through the anxiety of raising capital, negotiating leases, and people problems. Those problems were nothing compared to this. There is nothing that compares to what I went through.

Lionel: I can't say enough about you're attitude. You seem to change people just by being positive, and happy. After coming in for lunch or dinner and talking with you for the past two years, you really flabbergast me. I did the math and said to myself, wait a minute. I know you this long and never knew you went through the loss of your wife. You don't walk around with your chin dragging on the ground, and it would easily be okay to be down. You have proven to me that you are a happy person. Being happy has nothing to do with your situation, or the things that can happen to you. You're not happy because of what you went through, you're happy in spite of it. I think that if you became unhappy in your situation, it would have really been a problem for your daughters. That would have repercussions and became a negative snowball effect. You said it in the beginning: kids learn from what you do. Brad: I agree, I think happiness is deep. My parents used to say to me that it takes just as much effort to smile as it does to frown.

Lionel: What advice would you give people that are going through the same thing you went through, such as the loss of a husband or a wife. Brad: I would tell them to try to find the most inner strength they can muster. Things happen at a time when you don't really expect it, and you have to make a conscious effort to remain in control. People can find the inner strength to go on, to make that conscious decision and to choose that they have to continue with their life. That's what it's about. Sometimes when you feel lonely, you have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and say: I'm not going to go there. Keep it positive and keep strong. Use your support team, your family, and your friends. Lionel: That's excellent advice, I like that.

Brad: If you need support during some of those moments when you do need it, having a support team is great. For me it was my folks. When I can't quite muster it up, which I have to admit does not happen too often, but when it does, I call them. They are there for me, even though they live in Florida. Set up that support team and utilize it. Lionel: How about friends? Brad: Friends are so important. I had three of my college buddies drive up from Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago. They came up just to give me a hug, and did not even tell me they were coming.

Lionel: You and Doreen bought property together, you built a home together, and you really didn't expect anything like this to happen. You were laying out your dreams and making them come true. Brad: Yes that is right. My house is my house, but with my wife in it, it was my home. I have had trouble finding a nanny for my kids because I work full time. I have been through five nannies. This is my sixth nanny and knock on wood it is working out. It is tough for my kids because they always had a Mom. We are a family, and we do things together. My kids are the best! I admire their strength and their ability to adjust. They're my inspiration. They are my life.

Lionel: Do your kids want you to be happy? Brad: The kids want to see me happy, and I feel the same way about them. Lionel: What are you doing to be happy? Brad: I guess I feel that I am in control of things. Now I need to cut out a little bit more for myself. I am making a concerted effort to do so. Last night I went out to dinner with a couple of friends. I started jogging again. I was taking Tae Kwon Do the year my wife was ill, than I stopped. Now I want to go back and start it again. Lionel: That's great, you will have more control and you will feel better. Brad: I'm trying. Lionel: You're doing all the right things to get yourself on track and in control, and that's the key. You are a role model and a good example for others to follow. You were always the kind of guy that laughs. Brad: I think laughter is very important. I had a huge support team. What happens is they go back to their lives and you have to learn to do it without them. Laughter can help. Lionel: Does money make you happy? Brad: Being happy has nothing to do with money. Happy is happy and money is just one other thing.

Lionel: For the past year, even though you have gone through what you did, you have been bringing people up, showing them happiness. Whenever I have come to this restaurant you are walking around and talking time to spend a couple of minutes with people. You are friendly, and sincere, and you don't even own the restaurant. Whenever you help someone else, don't you think that comes back to you? Brad:
Absolutely! It's a two way street. Lionel: Even I am amazed to find a person like you that practices giving happiness to other people regardless of your circumstances. You have been living the essence of happiness. Brad: I have always had faith in people. I always look at the positive in people. I guess I got it from being an optimist rather than a pessimist. Lionel: I think you are better off being an optimist. Brad: In the restaurant business people want to go out and have a good time. I like to give it to them.

If you want some cheering up come on in, have a bite to eat, and say hello to Brad. He will show you what happiness looks like. Make the happiness choice: be happy no matter what! Smile and pass on your power of happiness to others. Like Brad, you can become a Happiness Hero and change our world for the better.

Lionel Ketchian is the founder of the Happiness Club, a Happiness Coach, and can be reached at PrintLRK@aol.com.
The Web site is www.HappinessClub.com

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