Welcome to our Happ-E-Newsletter. Happ-E-Note:) Of course no one can be happy about what has happened to this country. We live in the greatest country in the world, because so many people have died for freedom, which we sometimes take for granted.
Our pursuit of happiness is one of those freedoms. Terrorists want to damage our way of life. The devastation of our buildings is one thing, the loss of lives is still another; but our spirit is something else. Don't allow what the terrorists have done to decide what you should think.
Don't choose unhappiness because of them. That is what they want more than anything else in the world. When you stay unhappy they win, you lose.
As Victor Frankl, a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps has said: "The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances."
Happiness is Freedom! Don't give away your happiness, it is your right because freedom is this country's cornerstone.
We have seen people's compassion, and kindness. These are the qualities that exist in all human beings. Happiness allows us to be kind and compassionate.
As always the problems in the world are a result of unhappy people. Unhappy people want to control others because they are powerless. Happiness is power, don't give your power away.
To stand strong, to be strong, is to be happy! It is your freedom.
"Liberty consists in doing what one desires." - John Stuart Mill 1806-1873
I can't give you happiness! But I am doing the next best thing, and that is to bring you the decision to find happiness within yourself, with the help of this newsletter.
This is a bimonthly newsletter whose purpose is to remind you to make the "Happiness Decision." You will also find our meetings dates, happiness information, and a copy of the Be Happy Zone Articles published twice a month in the Fairfield Citizen-News. Read today's article: Happy Light!Enjoy it, and send it on to your friends.
Happ-E-Quote:) "Happiness is not a station you arrive at, But a manner of traveling." -- M.L. Runbeck
Happ-E-News:) Thank you Shane from Texas for coming to NYC to
aid in the rescue effort. We received the following e-mail from his Mom, who is a member of our Happiness Club.
"Just wanted you to know my son Shane has been deployed to NYC with a special Urban Search and Rescue team from Texas. Send good thoughts his way and every one else involved." -- Dorothy George
Happ-E-Mail:) Hi Lionel,
I wanted to tell you I thought you did a great job at the meeting last night. You always do a great job, but this seemed like a particularly enlightening meeting given the devastation we are all dealing with. I could tell people were really engaged in what you had to say.
It has been such a draining week for all of us. I was thinking as you were speaking that perhaps, now more than ever happiness is going to be critical. We are all going to have to deal with the world we live in a different way. For example, if we think that it was time-consuming and inconvenient to travel before, it was probably nothing like it is going to be. In order to not only survive, but also to thrive and be a "happy" people we are going to have to show more love, patience and as you said last night compassion--then we ever have before. It's a hard time, but oh my goodness--what an incredible opportunity for change and growth in a good way.
Have a great weekend and thanks again for the meeting last night.
Love, Peace and Happiness, -- Lynette
Happ-E-Mail:) This e-mail is from a person I had the pleasure of meeting at an airport on August 31, 2001. I think it is very pertinent now.
Dear Lionel:
Thank you for your kind words. The day we met at the airport was a good one for me too. Occasionally, during my travels I get to meet a very intriguing person that I really enjoy talking to and you are one of those few. You are very insightful and you brought up some very interesting points. You also have terrific listening skills that made it easy to talk to you.
Let me tell you about the rest of my day after you left. My flight was originally supposed to leave at 3:10 PM but the storms set that back. At 6:00 PM we boarded the plane and pushed back from the gate. At 6:30 we pushed back to the gate because all the routs were closed due to too much traffic. At 8:00 PM we finally took off for Dallas. Five hours late! Not one person on that plane made their connections and most were stuck overnight in Dallas, myself included.
We sure could have used you on that plane because there were not many happy people. One thing kept playing over in my mind as I sat there on that crowded, hot, uncomfortable airplane. You asked me what makes me angry and after some thought I replied "If it is within my control I can get angry, but if I have no control over something then there is no reason to get angry about it." So there I sat on an airplane with a group of passengers growing more and more hostile with every passing minute, and a stupid grin on my face! The people sitting around me thought I was actually happy about being stuck there! I wasn't, but I didn't have a reason to get angry either. Funny how life can be sometimes. I believe I met you for a reason that day. I finally did make it home Saturday no worse for the wear and all is fine.
I wish I could leave you with some kind of positive antidote that you could use in your news letter but I don't know many that you have not already heard, so I'll leave you with something that divers say to each other, "Keep your head above water." I'm not sure, but there has to be something positive there somewhere.
Your Friend; Mike Willis
Happ-E-Mail:) A part of a letter sent to the President of the United States: Dear President Bush -
I turn on the T.V. - I hear WAR. I turn on the radio - I hear WAR. I pick up the newspaper - I read of WAR. I talk to friends - they talk of WAR. It just shakes my very spirit to the core. Not that I don't also consider myself a patriotic American who is also angry and horrified by this senseless attack, also looking for justice - but maybe not "revenge" as it just perpetuates the hate, misunderstandings, and make fanaticals more fanatical and steadfast. Wounds of body and heart are never healed by further insult.
As is the true message of all faiths and teachings... "Do unto Others," Not - "Do what others do to you"... Rise above the barbarism and seek the truth, light and high road.
My heart is heavy. I pray for our world leaders to lead, and pray for the loving God that is in, and is, all of us of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds - to prevail.
I want to thank you for your leadership and pray for you, your advisors, Cabinet, the House and Senate in the hard decisions you have to make.
Mark Truesdell
Miami, Florida
Happ-E-Quote:)
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall—Think of it, ALWAYS."
—Mahatma Gandhi
Happ-E-Song:)
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
thru the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies,
God bless America
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home
Happ-E-Mail:)
Become a Master of your own Destiny by June McHardy
It is now a proven fact that this universe operates within a perfect system of natural laws. The law always prevails. Similarly, there are many other natural laws operating in our marvelous universe, one of which is the "Law of Positive Expectancy." In other words, whatever you think about all the time, with emotion, MUST be brought about in your outer world.
For example, when you get a great idea, and dwell on it, plan it and get excited about it, you activate the universal forces which will draw in opportunities, people and resources to help you achieve your goal. However the opposite is also true. When you start having fear or worry thoughts and dwell on them and visualize the worst possible outcome you are using the same universal forces to bring about exactly what you fear because what you think about expands and becomes your reality.
Therefore you owe it to yourself to always monitor your thoughts. Become a "mind policeman." Whenever you start thinking fear or worry thoughts. If we are habitually harboring negative thoughts or fears, then we must make some changes in order to improve our lives. The problem is that we have been given this marvelous brain which is many, many times more efficient and capable than the best computer that man can build and no-one gave us an operating manual.
We owe it to ourselves to learn HOW to push the right buttons in our brains and create the reality that we deserve. Let's become masters of our own destiny! -- June McHardy
Happ-E-Mail:) We want to hear from 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.
Happ-E-University:)Don't miss the course "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. If you're 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:) "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." -- Charles Dickens
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. Interested? Send an e-mail to coachpower@aol.com
Happ-E-Prayer:) Amazing grace!
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. - John Newton 1725-1807
Happ-E-Meeting:) Join us for our next meeting. The HAPPINESS CLUB will present: "Controlling Anger" by Lionel Ketchian. Meet other people using happiness to benefit them in their life.
Topic:) "Controlling Anger" Date:) October 11, 2001 Time:) 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. Place:) Fairfield Public Library 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 make a 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 make a right at light (Rt. 1), 1/2 mile on left
BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News August 29, 2001
Happy Light!
By Lionel Ketchian
Happiness is actually spiritual fulfillment. Spiritual things have a way of bringing light and happiness to everything they touch. When we follow the spiritual path, we go from feeling happiness to experiencing joy. As Frank Donnelly said, "God has given us two incredible things: absolutely awesome ability and freedom of choice. The tragedy is that, for the most part, many of us have refused them both." When was the last time you practiced your freedom of choice? When was the last time you felt joyful? When was the last time you experienced happiness for an hour? Have you ever felt happiness for a month or even a week? When was the last time you felt happiness for an entire day, with the feeling that nothing could stop you?
Sounds impossible to some people. Maybe you don't think it is possible to be happy for very long. I am telling you that it is possible. It may be your programming and belief system that is telling you that it is not possible. Who programmed that negative suggestion into your other-than-conscious mind? Did you allow someone else to do it? Your intellect wants you to be safe. You're soul wants you to live! Trust your essence and direct your mind so that it does what you want it to do.
Our minds live in fear with negative thoughts about life. How you choose to live your life is very important. The decision to live your life the best you can is the greatest one of all. The choice you don't make is the choice you don't have. Just like a vote that you do not make. The main choice you have is the decision to be happy or unhappy.
These words show you the reality of life's choices. You either live in a dark world of worry and fear, or you live in a peaceful, happy, loving world. Making the right decisions and the very best choices in your life creates this reality. By making the decision to be happy you are not just living a wonderful life for yourself. When you decide to be happy and lead a loving and peaceful life you have made a decision that goes far beyond you as an individual. You have transcended the bounds of the self, and have entered the frontier of selflessness.
Living a life of happiness and spiritual fulfillment is a message of change to the world. Peace is a call to action by your own actions. Peace is an active thing, not a passive thing. You become the ripple that spreads out to touch your family, the people that you work with, or just happen to meet. You affect them with a reason to change to the positive and become happy. How does this happen? They see something better in you. They sense it and you become aware of it as well. This is true communication. It is not the old way of relating to people to see what you can get out of them. It is all about what you can give them. This is the world you can enter right now. Maybe it will be for the first time. Maybe you have made numerous attempts to live this way. Whatever the case, you must enter first for others to follow.
The light of a flashlight cuts through the darkness and shows you the way. You are exactly like a flashlight. Your individual existence makes all the difference in the world. When your light is on and you're positive and happy, you light the way for others to see better and begin to light their own way. This sounds better than sitting in the darkness. This reminds me of the saying: "I would rather light one candle than curse the darkness."
The important thing about a flashlight is that you have to make the decision to turn it on, or it will not do you any good. Like the flashlight, happiness is the decision you carry around. Turning it on is just like making the happiness decision, and being able to see what direction you are going to take is the end result. Of course the flashlight is an object you can touch. The happiness decision requires you to use your mind. You have to control your mind and not let your mind control you.
The other characteristic of light is to point it into the darkness not into your own eyes. Pointing it into the darkness allows you to see what is there, and where you are going. Pointing it at yourself will only blind you. So it is essential to point the light in the direction you want to go. When you use negative thinking and choose unhappiness you only blind yourself to the opportunities and possibilities available to you.
The choice to stay unhappy, depressed, and miserable is the choice to blind yourself with the same powerful light that could show you the way. Do not blind yourself with self-pity; instead use your light of happiness. When you use happiness to light the way for yourself, you also help others see the best way to travel.
You can make a difference and you do. Some make a negative one, and others make a positive one. Rather than making a judgment about good or bad, positive or negative, decide what you want and just do it. For one thing you will benefit from your choice, and for another the world benefits as well. When you live your life with happiness, you are giving something to the world, and taking something of benefit for yourself. The way I see it is that you leave the world better off … and you leave a better world. Think about it!
Our next meeting is, September 13, 2001, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The topic is "Being Happy!" and will be held in the Rotary Room, at the Fairfield Public Library, located at 1080 Old Post Road. There is no charge for the meeting. Don't miss the 4 week course I teach called, "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. Held every Tuesday beginning 10/09-10/30 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Call Gloria at SHU 365-7587 for registration.
Zig Ziglar said, "You are free to choose, but the choices you make today will determine what you will have, be, and do in the tomorrow of your life." Become a Happy Light! Illuminate the world ... eliminate negativity! Make the happiness decision: Lighten Up Your Life … SMILE!
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
Click here: www.happinessclub.com
Put on your happy face and share a smile -- just forward this Newsletter to all your pals. They'll thank you for it! It's FREE, and easy to subscribe. All you need to do is send an e-mail to subscribe at: Happinessclub@aol.com, or online at: http://www.HappinessClub.com
One final thought from this "Happy American,"
To stand strong, to be strong, is to be happy! God bless America-- Make it a Happy Day:)
Lionel
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