Hi everyone! We need happiness now more than ever before. We need to have the right attitude to serve not only ourselves but everyone we live and work with as well.
My wife and I just got back from a great twelve day vacation. Seven days on a cruise ship to seven countries in the Caribbean, and four days in Puerto Rico, and got to meet some wonerful people. We flew on American Airlines, and we saw the State Police, the Nation Guard and the stepped up security in the airports. Our trip was planned a couple of months ago, but we went because we did not want to allow the insane actions of a few to dictate what we would, or should do.
This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. That is no longer a description but a call to action. It is time to be brave in order to be free. Now more than ever before being an American is acting with freedom, and being happy so we can experience freedom.
As always the problems in the world are a result of unhappy people. Unhappy people want to control others because they are powerless. Don't give your power away -- Happiness is power! Stand strong, be strong, be happy -- it's our freedom!
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 this newsletter as a reminder. Enjoy it, and send it on to your friends.
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: "FREEDOM!"
Happ-E-Mail:) I have received so many wonderful letters, articles, notes, poems, and personal thoughts from many of you. I want to thank each and every one of you for your caring words and thoughts. Please let us hear from you, spread your happiness, that is the surest way of Being Happy!
Do you have any inspirational, positive, or happy e-mail? Have you found any articles on happiness? Please share them 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-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 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.
Love, Peace and Happiness,
Lynette
Happ-E-University:)Don't miss this course "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. 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-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-Meeting:) Join us for our next meeting of 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 September 26, 2001
"FREEDOM!"
By Lionel Ketchian
America and the world have witnessed a terrible tragedy. At this time, more than 80 countries have lost people in this disaster. Of course no one can be happy about what has happened in this country. Our most basic of American freedoms, our pursuit of happiness, has been attacked. 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.
Last Tuesday I was walking around the Union Square Park in New York. I saw a most incredible emotional site. Hundreds of people were there among the burning candles, and the flowers, and all the pictures of loved ones that were missing, there was a hand written poster on a fence, that has this message: "I am convinced that human nature is basically gentle, not aggressive. And every one of us has a responsibility to act as if all our thoughts, words, and deeds matter. For really they do. Our lives have both purpose and meaning."
In this disaster, we have witnessed the very best of human compassion and kindness. These are the qualities that exist in all human beings. Happiness allows us to be kind and compassionate. Happiness is a decision that must be made from within. Happiness is a decision of the will; it is an intention that goes forward to manifest the very best for you and for others.
This is not the act of a religion; it is an act of ignorance. The cause of all violence is ignorance and unhappiness. As always the problems in the world are a result of unhappy people. Unhappy people want to control others because they feel powerless. Don't allow what the terrorists have done to decide what you should think.
Happiness is Freedom and both require bravery. It is your right to be happy because freedom is this country's cornerstone. After all people have died for that right. One of the reasons this country was founded was for the freedom to pursue happiness. Let us realize that this is about unconditional happiness. Never surrender your happiness to anyone for any reason. Don't let ignorance help you decide against being happy and your decision to be happy.
This is something that can hurt you -- you lose, ignorance wins. In America it is our attitude that is our very life. So there is a great lesson here, one that we all need to pass long. It is time for each American to be a great teacher; we are fighting for our children, and our children's children, and to pass this understanding on to the world.
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." Unhappiness is FEAR, and happiness is power, don't give your power away. When we become unhappy, we become unaware. It is awareness, which is so important to each of us now.
I would like to share with you a letter I received from a woman attending our last meeting.
Dear Lionel, I have been coming to the Happiness Club for a few months now.
Last week's meeting was incredible, but not so much for choosing happiness in the face of a gruesome violation of life, but for your honesty and sincerity in your reaction and your concern for us. I was very moved by your repeated expressions of concern for our well being. My friend and I discussed this over a bowl of ice cream after the meeting. What better way to transcend a painful situation than with a little comfort food and the support from you and other members?
You have inspired me and made me feel loved in a personal and professional time of bleakness. I don't want to burden you with details, but I will be the phoenix rising from the ashes because I reflect on what you said and the raw genuineness of last week's presentation. I believe that your love and respect for humanity is the energy at the core of your being. And at a time when so much was so wrong on so many fronts, I felt cared for.
Thank you. You are one person who has markedly enriched the quality of my life. One Lionel nullifies the effect of those who seek to inflict pain or wallow in misery. I choose happiness because I have nothing to contribute to the world without it. My mission in life is to send out what I want to receive. I am ardently working to see the glass as half full so someone else can be infected with my delight in life. Please print this out and put it on your fridge for emergency use only: if you need to jump-start being happy. It should get the ball rolling in the right direction. Can't wait for Controlling Anger--should be another meeting custom tailored for a lot of us. Thanks again, Tracy.
Our next meeting is, October 11, 2001, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The topic is "Controlling Anger!" 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 four week course I teach called, "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. It is held every Tuesday beginning 10/09-10/30 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Call Gloria at SHU 365-7587 for registration.
Let us seek not only to have a United States, but a world united. Now more than ever -- united we stand, divided we fall. Our greatest enemy is fear -- our strength is Being Happy. Let us show the world, not just now, or ten years, or fifty, or even a hundred years from now, but as long as history endures. Not how we reacted to this violence, to this hatred and ignorance, but how we responded. That will be the measure, which will be our might. So stand strong -- be strong -- be happy! It is your freedom.
Mahatma Gandhi had put it so well when he said these words: "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."
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
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
Happ-E-Power:) "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." -- Charles Dickens
God bless America-- Be happy:)
Lionel
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