Happy New Year! I am grateful to you for subscription, and participation in our Happ-E-Newsletter
Happ-E-Quote:) The Optimist Creed, by Christian D. Larsen.
Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
Make all your friends feel there is something in them.
Look at the sunny side of everything.
Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
Give everyone a smile.
Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.
Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.
Happ-E-Purpose:) To remind you to make the "Happiness Decision." You now have the next meeting date happiness information, and a copy of the Be Happy Zone Articles published twice a month in the Fairfield Citizen-News. Read today's article called: RESOLUTION!
Happ-E-Mail:) I do feel that we as individuals need to be selfish to ourselves in a positive way. Happiness is trying to float upstream when others don't want you to get there, and you finally succeed at what you want. - Ursula
Happ-E-Quote:) "He only is happy as well as great who needs neither to obey nor command in order to be something." - Goethe
Happ-E-Mail:) Happy holidays! I really enjoy these newsletters, and am reminded of a great quote I heard recently. "You can't avoid getting knocked down in life, but you can control how quickly you get up." - David
Happ-E-Mail:) This Holiday Season
May you find peace around each corner
Love to guide your way
An appreciation for who you are each and every day
May you find joy in others laughter
Gratitude for all you have
Knowledge to quench your thirst
And a sense that as challenging as the year has been
it could always be worse
So take time this holiday season
to stop and catch your breath
No need to run and rush around
to keep up with the rest
Be kind to others and yourself
Live in light and not in fear
and welcome with open arms
The upcoming New Year
Wishing you peace, light and happiness
Lynette, Dec. 2001
Happ-E-Mail:) Thanks for the warm welcome when I came to the Happiness meeting about 2 months ago...See you next meeting....Bambi :-)
Happ-E-Mail:) Thanks for all your Happiness letters. They really are uplifting. A happy and healthy new year to you and everyone. Bill and Sue
Happ-E-Mail:) Thankyou for your wonderful newsletters - they are an inspiration to read, and I have sent some on to my family. I just wanted to express my appreciation now for what you are doing. Since I decided that I am the author of my own happiness, because such a lot of wonderful coincidences have happened that have been quite astounding. As I read somewhere once, once you commit yourself to something, then Providence moves for you! With best wishes to all the happiness group. - Rosemary
Happ-E-Quote:) "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of event issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." - Goethe
Happ-E-Mail:) Thanks to each and every one of you for sharing your caring words and thoughts. Please let us hear from you, spread your happiness, that is the surest way of Being Happy!
Happ-E-Quote:) The first step towards the solution of any problem is optimism. - John Baines
Happ-E-Thanks:) Thank you to our web master Tom Finelli who does a great job with out web site. We have received over 8,100 hits in the past two years.
Happ-E-Mail:) I would like to subscribe to your Happ-E-Newsletter please. I have read some of the articles you wrote and I LOVE them . . . so positive, upbeat, and uplifting! I consider myself, and I am, a pretty happy person MOST of the time, although from time to time conditions change, circumstances (real life) happens, and if I am not cognizant of what's happening internally (my reaction) . . . whoa . . .
Thank you for your wonderful works!!! Sincerely, Karen
Happ-E-Meeting:) Join us for our next meeting of the HAPPINESS CLUB will present: "HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF" by Lionel Ketchian. Don't miss this valuable meeting and meet wonderful people using the benefits of happiness in their lives.
Topic:) "HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF"
Date:) January 10, 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 (Post Rd.), 1/2 mile on right at the corner. From New Haven - I- 95, Exit 22, North Benson Road. Left at bottom of ramp. Under railroad overpass make a left at light (Post Rd.), 1/2 mile on right at the corner.
BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
January 5, 2002
RESOLUTIONS!
By Lionel Ketchian
I got two letters regarding the last article I wrote called "Your Gift." The first was from Bonnie, who wrote,
Hi Lionel. OK, I'm being nosy. I know you had a "conversion" to happiness. I was spending a lot of time with you around December 1990. What happened? Can you tell me? Or is it too private? I remember talking with friends about how you seemed "different" -- good different, of course. Now I have an actual date when something happened, and curiosity got the better of me. If you don't want to tell me, that's OK too. I'm just glad things are working out for you. I look forward to reading more of your columns.
The second letter was from Dolly, who wrote, Lionel, I am curious what made you decide on December 24, 1990 to take on the gift of happiness? My sister died on Christmas Eve 1999 and my dad 5 days earlier that year. I notice that many things happen on or around the holiday season that are very significant. I was just wondering what stirred your passion so on that date that brought on this change in your life?
I thank you both for writing. Great question! The truth is I have always felt loving and peaceful during the Christmas Season. I was moved by the way we seem to change out mass thinking to "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men," We send greetings to one another with thoughts of love and best wishes, and share gifts with friends and loved ones. It is truly a time of "giving."
On December 24th, 1990 I had the same feelings of Love, Peace and Happiness. Only this time I decided not to let them go. It started that way and then led to the realization that even though things happen, I could actually keep my happiness as long as I did not let go of it. I found out that I was in control of my happiness. That single decision led me to being happy no matter what. It allowed me to loving, peaceful, and happy even when things would have normally created panic, fear, and depression.
Part of my happiness experience that day on December 24, 1990 was gratitude. I felt so good being happy. That feeling made me do something for someone else. In my case it was a gas station attendant that was a real nice guy. Since it was Christmas Eve, it did not seem strange to tip him $20 for being so pleasant. I was wondering if I was the one being strange. He sincerely appreciated my acknowledgement of his attitude and my tip. He spent a few minutes telling me how much it meant to him to be appreciated. I drove away feeling higher than I can describe for the exchange was of tremendous benefit to me. I can't tell you what the money meant to him, but was a real part of being happy for me. It is part of the fact that being happy benefits other people as well. You feel good and they feel it. What they do with it is up to them.
When my Dad died in 1992, I was not happy because he died, but I did not give up my happiness for what I could not change or control. I had a great relationship with him, spent time with him, and had no regrets. I ask you the same question I asked myself. After your Dad died, what if he was standing next to you, would he want you to be happy? My answer to the question was absolutely YES!
Happiness is a need, like breathing, water, food, and shelter. It is the one need of the human race that puts us above animals. This need along with the power of choice to decide what we want to experience, and what we want others to experience is what makes us fully human.
The greatest wisdom of being happy not only comes from the benefit of the great mood, feelings and attitude the Happiness Decision brings. The greatest benefit comes from the happiness you show the world. In a very real sense my decision has allowed the spirit of Christmas to remain with me 365 days a year, and 24 hours a day. It has given me the opportunity to experience "Peace on Earth, and Good Will to Men," It has opened my eyes to see that my personal choice to become happy has given me the real meaning of love. Love comes from happiness, not the other way around. Many people think they need to be loved, when the truth is you need to give love.
It has always been said that giving is better than receiving. Let's assume they are equal. I have really experienced that fact that giving is receiving. Happiness has shown me the peace that comes from happiness. Peace and happiness are not things; they are a part of the natural process of life.
Being happy is the most powerful, empowering, freeing, healthful, peaceful, loving, dynamic you could ever aspire to in life. Everything you ever wanted - you wanted so you could be happy. Stop wanting things, people, or places to make you happy. This is a New Year, decide on being happy now. Otherwise eleven years from now you will not have had eleven years of happiness. In fact if you don't decide to be happy right now you will not be happy a year from now, a month, a day, an hour, or one second from now. Now is the time. Now is your time. Now is a good time for you to begin to practice being happy.
How do you learn to use this gift of happiness that you posses? You can contact me to speak to your organization, or come to a Happiness Club meeting. Our next meeting is January 10, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The topic is "Happiness for Yourself," 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.
God is the happiest being in the universe. Let's follow the example. Rather than spending your life looking for happiness, spend your happiness enjoying your life. A Very Happy New Year to you! Love, Lionel
Lionel Ketchian is the founder of the Happiness Club. He 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-Quotes:)
Spread some happiness, a little goes a long way!
Lionel
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