I want you to practice "Premeditated Happiness." Happiness is one of the most important things in your life. Happiness does wonders for your soul. You should 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!

Happ-E-Quote:) "To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle that any human being can fight--and never stop fighting." - E.E. Cummings

Be Your Best.... Be Happy!
Lionel

Happ-E-Meeting:) Our meeting on "HOW TO BE HAPPY" will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at the Fairfield Public Library at 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield. There will be a presentation by Lionel Ketchian, Lynette Turner and Lisa Simms. A special presentation will be made to the family of Thomas Finelli. Please join us in honoring his memory and contribution.

The meeting will be filmed by some of the graduating class of film students from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from New York. Raeanne Wright is doing a film documentary about our club, and about happiness, it is her Senior Film Project Thesis. You need to be comfortable with the fact that this meeting will be documented on film for educational purposes. Open to the Public and Admission is Free, refreshments will be served. Don't miss this meeting!

Topic:) "How to Be Happy!"
Date:) Thursday, September 26, 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, refreshments will be served.
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 right at light (Post Rd.), 1/2 mile on left at the corner.

Happ-E-Mail:) I saw this article and thought you might like to read it. I came to one of your last meetings with a friend who had taken your class at Sacred Heart. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to your next meeting later this month. http://msnbc.com/news/805124.asp Thank you for the opportunity! Cheryl

Dear Cheryl, thank you very much for your wonderful e-mail and the information from the above web site. As a result of your letter I am reading and benefiting greatly from Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D's newest book; AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS.

Happ-E-Course:) Don't miss the four week course I teach called, "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. Held every Tuesday beginning 10/15-11/5 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Call Gloria at SHU 365-7587 for registration. Cost is only $89 for one month of Happiness Training!

Happ-E-Quote:) "Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne

Happ-E-Mail:) I wanted to personally thank you for posting the "Happiness Formula." I have been under a dark cloud for years on and off which I now see after reading this formula that it was by my choice &. I feel a huge weight has been lifted and I can breathe again & I'm typing with tears in my eyes & I have a renewed faith in choices and happiness & I want to thank you from the top of my heart & I know my future happiness is much brighter now for having read this formula & Sincerely, P

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: Happiness is Freedom!

Happ-E-Mail:) Someone sent this to us and we are passing it along in the event you could use it in your newsletter. http://dailymotivator.com/memberflash/rightnow.html
Sincerely, Greg & Vilma Dillon

Happ-E-Quote:) "Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become." - Bishop Westcott

SMILE-MAIL WINNERS:)
I've been a faithful reader of your column in the Fairfield Citizen for about a year and a half. . . 'Choosing to be Happy' is a wonderful message for all of us. It is simple but not always easy to do. . . I discovered your column at about the same time I became a student of Science of Mind which has a very similar message and your column helped reinforce the principles of SOM. The first thing I realized is that I had to forgive (myself and others) in order to make room for all the love and goodness life has to offer if we choose to accept it.

I continue to think only positive thoughts, really knowing what I want in life, and letting go of fear . . . having been a fearful person all of my life it takes a lot of practice and determination not to become discouraged when negative thoughts crop up . . . the most important lesson is not to 'jump ship' when things get 'challenging' . . . always believe that something good will come out of every experience . . . my life has changed in many wonderful ways: better relationships, a general feeling of well
being and waking up every day with gratitude and anticipation of the wonderful things that will happen.

It's so refreshing to read your lovely column about 'happiness' and the good things of life especially now as we approach the anniversary of Sept. 11 with all its tragedy and sadness. The words of the late John Lennon say it best -- "All you need is love" Sincerely, Jess Martino

------------------------------------------
I look forward to reading the Be Happy Zone because I think we were put on this planet to be happy. Somehow between infancy and adolescence the message got scrambled. So I have spent a good part of my life trying to unscramble the crazy messages the world puts out there. My quest has been rewarding. I look for the beauty in everyday life. I listen to the older and wiser people who have learned the gift of living in the moment. I try to think more like my dogs. They are happy about 98% of the time and downright ecstatic about 20% of the time. When all else fails I lower my expectations. Zero expectations, zero disappointments. I share the message with everyone I meet.

Thank you for sharing with me the idea that being happy will rub off on loved ones. I have been waiting for my husband to get happy and holding him responsible for my happiness. I can take the wheel and steer our life toward the road to happiness. What a concept! Sue Saxton

------------------------------------------
Nice article on gratitude. As a new resident of Fairfield, I can only be happy! I live with Dad who loves Fairfield. As a Dentist, he likes to see people look great and smile. "Don't worry," he says. "Here, let me help you." Or, "Look, let me show you." In his heart, helping people has made him happy. He has since bought a small boat because he can share that with people.

I have tried to learn from my family the benefits of being happy. That's the echo of our family. We like to be happy. Come to think of it, Mom invited me to a play at the Westport Country Playhouse recently, and like a great Mom, she said, "I want you to be happy tonight." Wow! I am sure of one thing: I know where my smile comes from. Sincerely, Licia Karazulas

------------------------------------------
I love contests and sweepstakes and enter many. This is such a delightful idea. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your "Happiness Club."
As I live in Hobe Sound, Florida it's disappointing not to be able to attend your meetings. However, that hasn't created too big a problem, as my cousin, Jane Bassani is a member. She has been kind enough to send me "Be Happy Zone" articles and keeps me posted.

Lionel, your "Happiness Club" is a very special "gift" that should be shared with everyone! So, it pleases me that I'm now able to share my story and to let you know how grateful I am. I lost my sister to Cancer and my dear husband just months apart. After 10 years of being caregiver, my body gave out to all the stress and trauma and suffered a heart attack myself.

There was a terrible void in my life and for almost 2-1/2 years, I was ill, feeling alone, and unhappy. I had a heart problem. Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Thyroid, and then one day could not walk. The diagnosis was Spinal Stenosis and placed in a wheelchair, facing surgery on my spine. A devoted, caring therapist trained and pushed me out of the wheel chair on to a walker. Today, with the help of Tai Chi, I can also walk without it... on my "strong days."

Although, I had always been a devout person and my faith kept me alive, I wanted my life back! It took the Grace of God leading me to your "Happiness Club." Lionel, not only did you bring back "my life," you continued to give me "hope" and the "happiness" previously experienced. I was drowning and with your articles, you brought "joy and meaning" into my life!

I can't ever forget that and I'm still "learning." After a few months, I began to develop a new and "happy attitude" and a new life emerged! Your positive words and help gave me the strength to secure a wonderful position as Secretary to the Golf Course Superintendent, at an elite Country Club. I'm enjoying my work and enjoying life!
It's a beautiful feeling....... I have also moved into a new residence and have the most caring and loving neighbors that are good to me and make me happy.

A Hallmark card reminds me that "We find God's love in the beauty of our world and in warm caring wishes of our families and friends." This is posted in my kitchen, along with your works and words, Lionel, which I read and reread. I cherish the love and friendship you have given me. God bless you for the "Happiness" works and wisdom and sharing with us. Thank you Lionel for showing us "THE WAY!!!!!" As always, in friendship and love...... Annette C. Mistura

Happ-E-Web Site:) Our Happinessclub.com is a site to see, take a look:) Click here: www.happinessclub.com. If you like this newsletter, then spread the word, and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Happ-E-Quote:) "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself." - Victor Hugo

BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
September 11, 2002

Happiness is Freedom!
By Lionel Ketchian

This time last year America and the world witnessed a terrible tragedy. It was a day that changed all our lives. In this disaster, we were inspired as we observed 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.

Happiness is Freedom! 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.

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.

Being happy is the only way to find happiness. Being happy allows you to keep the experience of happiness. As D. H. Lawrence said: "The living moment is everything." It is not about wanting to "Be Happy." It is about "BEING," in this very moment, which is a present state of reality. When you learn the benefits of "Being Happy," you will become a Happy Human Being!

Being happy means doing what you can, when you can, rather than waiting for something to change on it's own. Being happy means finding the solutions to a problem, than making the best choice for now. Being happy means never volunteering to make yourself a victim. Being happy means you become proactive to allow your wisdom and common sense to make the changes you want to see in the next moment rather than react to the moment from your past conditioning.

Being happy is the most powerful decision you can ever make. Being happy gets you what you want out of life. As Henry David Thoreau said: "There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself." Being happy allows you to access new habits to empower yourself. Being happy allows you to tap into the power TO DO IT! Being happy allows you to deal with difficult people. Being happy allows you to deal with anger when it arises. Being happy allows you to cope with fear and anxiety.

Being happy makes you feel like you can change the world because you are taking control of yourself from the inside out. Being happy allows you to deal with what you cannot change because you know it is only temporary and if you really want the change it will happen. Being happy allows you the patience to wait in order to get what you want because you will be getting it soon. Being happy allows you to experience being stronger, smarter, freer and more fully yourself in the process.

Don't miss the four week course I teach called, "Be Happy No Matter What!" at Sacred Heart University's Fairfield Campus. Held every Tuesday beginning 10/15-11/5 from 7:00-9:00 P.M. Call Gloria at SHU 365-7587 for registration.

Our next meeting is, September 26, 2001, from 7:00-8:45 p.m. The topic is "How to Be Happy!" There will be a presentation by Lionel Ketchian, Lynette Turner and Lisa Simms. A special award presentation will be made to Thomas Finelli's family. The meeting will be held in the Rotary Room, at the Fairfield Public Library, located at 1080 Old Post Road. It is open to the public and admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Don't miss this meeting!

The meeting will be filmed by some film students from the graduating class of (RIT), Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Raeanne Wright is doing a film documentary about our club, and about happiness. It is her thesis for a senior film project. Please be aware that this meeting will be documented on film for educational purposes. It is a positive film that is being made for studying the places that Americans look for happiness and the places they really find it. She is planing on entering her work in film festivals. Raeanne will let us know if it airs on Oprah.

Do you know what "Being Happy" really is? Being happy means finding out that you are really OK. As Goethe put it: "As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live." You may have had all kinds of problems and disappointments in your life. Being happy is a method of reassuring yourself that you have the wisdom to think clearly about what has happened. To trust yourself and make choices that will get you where you want to go. Being happy means having value in your life. This allows you to live the life you choose to live.

John Homer Miller correctly observed that: "Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." So stand strong -- be strong -- be happy! Happiness is your freedom.

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

Share a smile and forward this motivating Happ-E-Newsletter to your friends and family members you care about. Brighten their day by giving them a FREE Newsletter. Or, it's FREE, and easy to subscribe, just send your blank e-mail to happinessclub@aol.com, or subscribe online at: www.happinessclub.com.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you desire. Please include the copyrights and credits due the authors.

Our mailing list and your name is never sold, traded, or given to anyone outside of our organization. You can be happy about that!

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS: To be removed from this list reply with "Remove" in the subject line.