Happ-E-Newsletter for June 15, 2002

Welcome My Dear Friend,

BE HAPPY - LIVE RICHLY

Happiness Empowerment To You!

Please note our meeting is on WEDNESDAY, June 19, not on Thursday.

This is the last meeting till September!

If you really want to be happy, and live in the Connecticut area then make sure you attend the meeting next week on Wednesday, June 19th. It will be our last meeting till September, no meetings this summer. We have a free cool surprise for those who can make it to the meeting. Thanks to our good friend Lynn Pfeffer the owner of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream store we are giving out 50 Free Scoop coupons so you can learn to be a kid again. The store is located across the street from the library on 1326 Post Road in Fairfield. Make sure you attend so you get the Happy Scoop.

"Strive to realize a state of inward happiness, independent of circumstances." These are the profound words of J.P. Greaves. I do not know who Mr. Greaves was, but I do know he had an understanding of happiness that very few people understand. I just spent $5.25 for a magazine because it had the following article on the cover: 50 Ways to Find Joy - Get Happy Today With These Simple Suggestions.

The suggestions were simple all right, simple minded. Like: # 7- buy something beautiful, or # 17- start a tea party, or # 23- sleep in, or # 28- plan a picnic. The fact is that people do not understand happiness or what it is and how to achieve it. That's the reason you're getting this newsletter, right?

I want you to practice "Premeditated Happiness." Happiness is one of the most important things in your life. Happiness does wonders for your soul. I want you to know that reading this newsletter will not just make your life better; it will make the world a better place because you have decided to be happy!

"To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakable perfect miracle." - Walt Whitman

Have a sparkling day!

SMILE, HAPPINESS BECOMES YOU!

Sending Love, and Happiness to you,

Lionel

Happ-E-Quote:) "We know nothing of tomorrow, our business is to be good and happy today." - Sydney Smith

Happ-E-Purpose:) Reminding you to make the "Happiness Decision." Letting you know about our meeting dates, giving you happiness information, and the latest copy of the Be Happy Zone Article that is published twice a month in the Fairfield Citizen-News. Read today's article called: PEANUT BUTTER AND NO JAM

Happ-E-Quote:) "Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Happ-E-Mail:) Dear Lionel, I just had a moment of time and read your newsletter for June..it was great. Been busy caring for Steve with his new experimental cancer treatment and on the lighter side..my daughter graduates from HS on Tuesday, the family from Florida and California will be together to help us celebrate in style. Being together, laughing, smiling and being happy and proud will be my mantra...I am so proud of her. She has accepted her Dad's death and moved on with dignity and grace and I know he is proud of her too. Be well and thanks for spreading your happiness with all of us..it appears magically when we all need it the most. Love and hugs, Barbara Rudolph

Happ-E-Quote:) "To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in life." - Baruch Spinoza

Happ-E-Mail:) DEAR LIONEL, PLEASE SEND ME THE HAPPINESS NEWSLETTER. SORRY ABOUT THE CAPITALS. THEY ARE EASIER ON MY WRIST. THANKS. - PAT

Happ-E-Mail:) Please include me on your mailing list for the happiness newsletter. My sister has gone to your classes and has loved them. Wished I lived in CT to take them myself!! Thanks, Lynn

Happ-E-Quote:) "Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back." - Harvey Mackay, author of Swim With The Sharks.

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!

Our Happinessclub.com is a site to see! Click here: www.happinessclub.com. We just went over the "You are visitor 11,730" counter mark. If you like this newsletter, then spread the word, and share it with your friends and colleagues. Invite them to subscribe by sending a blank e-mail to: Happinessclub@aol.com, or sign them on yourself and we will send them a note that it was from you.

Happ-E-Mail:) It is absolutely beautiful out today. Yet another reason for having a happiness attack--smiling from ear to ear. Have a great week. I wish I was going to be here for the next Happiness Club meeting as I'm sure it will be a dynamite night with both you and the guest speaker you've invited. I'll be thinking about you all. Talk to you when I get back at the end of the month. Keep smiling :) xoxo LynetteTurner

Happ-E-Quote:) "In our journey towards God, we proceed like those small birds whose flight is in loops. They always seem to be about to drop, but the drop in their flight seems to urge them forward." - Gerard W. Hughes

Happ-E-Mail:) Mail from our friend Lisa Simms about Ice Cream. She sent this link from the following web site: http://newfunpages.com/icecream.php3?

It had the following message on it:

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom Gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

Happ-E-Quote:) "Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results." - James Allen

Happ-E-Mail:) Thank you to Don Barnett for creating "Movie Meetings." If you live in Southern Connecticut and would like to get together with some happy people and go to the movies on Tuesday evenings than e-mail Don at Knicks777@aol.com

and he will be in touch with you for upcoming Movie Meetings.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Fear fades when facts are faced." - Frank Tyger

Happ-E-Mail:) Got this e-mail from our Canadian friend and author, David Leonhardt.

OK, I am The Happy Guy and I do teach the power of smiling, so when this came in my in-box with instructions to pass it on, how could I refuse? - David

The Smile Starter!

Smiling is infectious,

You catch it like the flu.

When someone smiled at me today,

I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner,

and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled I realized,

I'd passed it to him.

I thought about that smile,

then I realized its worth.

A single smile just like mine,

could travel the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin,

don't leave it undetected.

Let's start an epidemic quick,

and get the world infected!

Keep the smile going,

send this out to everyone!!

David Leonhardt is The Happy Guy and Author of Climb your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness http://www.TheHappyGuy.com

Happ-E-Quote:) "Buried deep within each of us is a spark of greatness, a spark than can be fanned into flames of passion and achievement. That spark is not outside of you it is born deep within you." - James A. Ray

Happ-E-Meeting:) Please note that our meeting is this WEDNESDAY not Thursday. Join us for our next Happiness Club meeting Wednesday, June 19, from 7:00-8:45 p.m. The topic is "Happy Power." The presentation will be by Lionel Ketchian and Marianne T. Schorer. She will be presenting the ideas from her new book EnlightenUp, with a power point presentation. Ms. Schorer is a Certified Professional Behavioral and Values Analyst, master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Ericksonian Hypnosis Practitioner.

Don't miss this valuable meeting, and meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives. Thanks to our good friend Lynn Pfeffer the owner of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream store we are giving out 50 Free Scoop coupons so you can learn to BE A KID AGAIN. The store is located across the street from the library on 1326 Post Road in Fairfield. Make sure you attend so you get the Happy Scoop. Remember this meeting is on a Wednesday not on Thursday like we usually have.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open." - Sir James Dewar

Topic:) "Happy Power"

Date:) Wednesday, June 19, 2002

Time:) 7:00 - 8:45 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

Happ-E-Quote:) "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars." - Les Brown

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 right at light (Post Rd.), 1/2 mile on left at the corner.

Happ-E-Thoughts:) "Success and failure are an inside game. Transform your thinking and you transform your world." - James A. Ray

Happ-E-Mail:) I just received this e-mail from the author of the essay in the article you are about to read called PEANUT BUTTER AND NO JAM.

Lionel, I waited all week to have the time to tell you how much I loved the article on Peanut Butter that you did. What a terrific piece you wrote and added to my thoughts....I thought it was terrific! I think you write very fluidly and well. I was really pleased with our combined efforts. I didn't hear from one cat lover.......I did get many responses from my email originally about Peanut Butter. I am tentatively planning a TV program to be shot in Newtown on the 6/19 which would not allow me to attend the Happiness meeting. I do think that you are terrific. Glad we met. - dolly curtis

Happ-E-Note :) After you read the article about Peanut Butter please send me your comments, stories, and thoughts. I will share them back with you and Dolly Curtis.

BE HAPPY ZONE

Fairfield Citizen-News

June 5, 2002

PEANUT BUTTER AND NO JAM

By Lionel Ketchian

Leo Buscaglia has said; "What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life." It is with this thought that I present to you an essay that was written and sent to me by Dolly Curtis, a member of the Happiness Club. As Hugh Downs once said: "A happy person (or cat) is not an individual with a given set of circumstances, but rather a person (or cat) with a certain set of attitudes." Dolly wrote this wonderful story about her cat; I've added the quotations.

Since you write about animals in your column.... I have to tell you about PEANUT BUTTER. Mostly everyone in the Flat Rock Road Area knows PEANUT BUTTER. He is an orange tabby, and sort of skinny. I think he was a real estate agent in his last life. He came to live with us from PAWS on July 5, 1999. He can't be confined to a house, or even to one family, because he has too much inquisitiveness in him. He visits many different families during the daytime, and especially the Jesse Lee Church and nursery school, which he attends. He comes home through the cat door to sleep in one of his favorite places at night. He has made a home visit to most of the homes in our area.

If he is allowed entry into the home, the neighbors tell me that he insists on seeing every room in the house, which is from his real estate experience I suppose. When I walk the dog he often comes along, but he goes up to each and every front door as if he is "trick or treating." At the block party every summer, everybody has their PEANUT BUTTER story because he has spent entire days with workmen doing a repair or with a nanny. Upon learning that the homeowner has no orange marmalade cat in residence, everyone laughs because PEANUT BUTTER just makes himself so at home that the visitor thinks the cat belongs there.

(Charles Schwab said; "A man (or cat) can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.")

One week he attended the Jesse Lee Ladies spring luncheon because Reverend Donald told me he was in and out of the church all day. He thinks the church, which is next door to our house, is part of his territory. The nursery school children are his regular "fan club." One good laugh we had was upon seeing a gentleman at the church door prior to services, we asked if the man was on "door patrol?" "Cat patrol" was his reply!

(Robert Louis Stevenson had said: "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.")

On another humorous occasion, PEANUT BUTTER had visited the Helen Keller School, which is within what he thinks is his neighborhood but that is a stretch-------. He didn't come home that night, and I was very concerned. The next day the school secretary phoned me and asked me to come and get the cat. PEANUT BUTTER had somehow ended up on the school roof. Mr. Clifford had climbed a ladder and brought the cat down from the skylight where he was watching all the children. He had the whole school all excited. I found him in the principal's office on her upholstered chair, having a snack of milk and crackers. He looked at me as to say "Oh, it's you again!" because I had spoiled his adventure.

(Joseph Krutch said: "Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.")

I have had dozens of phone calls from neighbors telling me that PEANUT BUTTER was in their kitchen bay window all afternoon sunning himself and that he is fine, or in their garage during a storm. I laugh because this has happened so many times. They send him home after the visit. One big concern that I have is when a moving van is loading all day at a house, which is transferring to a far away place. I worry that he will be in the middle of the packing activity and end up in California! I try to get him into the house at these precarious times.

(Maurice Chevalier said: "If you wait for the perfect moment when all is safe and assured, it may never arrive. Mountains will not be climbed, races won, or lasting happiness achieved." The Explorer, Ferdinand Magellan said: "…it is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors…to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.")

PEANUT BUTTER attends Jesse Lee Church as I told you. Reverend Bob had told me that he didn't mind the cat attending the services but it was when he walked along the balcony edges during the service that the competition was too much for Reverend Bob. (An Irish author, Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999) said: "Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.")

We love PEANUT BUTTER. I wish he would retire his real estate passion because traversing the neighborhood is so treacherous, but as I said earlier, PEANUT BUTTER'S spirit, to be experiencing the outside world, cannot be contained. He lives to visit people, and be in every room of their house if he is permitted. He goes anywhere the action is and only comes home for some food, an afternoon's nap, to check in, and for his nighttime of cat dreams. Written by Dolly Curtis, surrogate mother to PEANUT BUTTER. Thank you Dolly for allowing PEANUT BUTTER to teach us how to live.

Linus Pauling said: "Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life." If you have some curiosity about our meetings than stroll down to our next Happiness Club meeting and join us on Thursday, June 19, from 7:00-8:45 p.m. The topic is "Happy Power," and will be held in the Rotary Room, at the Fairfield Public Library, located at 1080 Old Post Road. You'll be purring like a kitten, and there is no charge the meeting!

Follow your dreams PEANUT BUTTER and teach us how to follow ours! Mark Twain said: "Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but is would deteriorate the cat. Thanks for demonstrating for us an important lesson from the Bible: "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thy self." Here's to you - PEANUT BUTTER for enlightening us on how to enjoy life and stay out of a JAM.

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

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