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!

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: HAPPY BOOKS!

Be Smart! Be Happy!
Lionel

Happ-E-Quote:) "Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin." - John Lubbock

Happ-E-Mail:) I thought your web site was great and I downloaded most of your previous articles. I plan to attend the next meeting and look forward to meeting you. Thanks for all the information, Richard Ellis

Happ-E-Quote:) "The very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our lives is toward happiness." - Dalai Lama

Happ-E-Mail:) Hi, I would like to subscribe to the E-Newsletter. I love your site and I have read all the articles but unfortunately you have not been adding any new ones anymore. I'm writing from Egypt and would like to thank you for your beautiful site; if I live in the US I would have definitely attended all your meetings. Again thanks so much for changing my life. Best regards, Randa El Kasm

Happ-E-Thanks:) I owe a world of thanks to a wonderful person who had said, "Let me update the web site." Her name is Renee Filloramo and she is the person that is stepping in to continue the wonderful work that Tom Finelli has done for us. Renee has been an inspiration and is a tremendous support just when I really needed it most. I can only say Thank You Renee for being here and making a difference to the Happiness Club.

HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING) Our meeting will take place on WEDNESDAY, (not Thursday as usual) November 13, from 7:00 - 8:45 PM at Fairfield Public Library, Memorial Room, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield. The topic of discussion is "Happy Thanksgiving." The public is invited to attend. Admission is free.

Topic:) "Happy Thanksgiving."
Date:) Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Time:) 7:00 - 8:45 P.M.
Place:) Fairfield Public Library
Address:) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

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

Happ-E-Quote:) "We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts." - Madeleine L'Engle

Thanksgiving Basket Brigade) I am very excited about this year's Basket Brigade on Saturday, November 23rd. I am asking you to be a part of the Basket Brigade Team! Since 1994, on the Weekend before Thanksgiving, volunteers have been putting together and delivering baskets with all the fixins' to those in need in the greater New Haven area. We work with three agencies to find the families needing assistance: CCCC (Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis), Yale family and children agency, and Bella Vista senior center.
A typical basket that we provide may include: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry juice, 2 vegetables, brownie mix, pie, juice, donated personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, lotion etc.), and a toy. We also include a book, "Notes From a Friend" by Anthony Robbins, with quote inside saying: "This comes from someone who cares about you. All that we ask is that you take care of yourself well enough to be able to do this for someone else someday."
Our goal is to feed 100 - 120 families. A $250 donation feeds 10 families,! $200 feeds 8 families! $100 feeds 4 families! $50 feeds 2 families! $25 feeds 1 family of 4! and the donation of $15 feeds 2 people. Anything will help tremendously. One hundred percent of your donations go towards purchasing food and toys.

Please join the 2002 Basket Brigade Team and contact Matt Alpert. He can be reached at 203-521-2990 or 203-459-9733 and his e-mail is: malpert100@aol.com

Even if you cannot attend the day of the Basket Brigade you can still help. Just send a tax deductible check to: CCCC (the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis) 131 Dwight Street, New Haven, CT 06511 (indicate basket brigade in the "memo" section). CCCC is a non profit organization who has been providing client names and assistance to the Basket Brigade. Upon completion of the Basket Brigade, CCCC will mail a thank you letter (an employer may want to hang this up) which with your canceled check will be your receipt.
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Thank you in advance as I know our basket brigade will come together and be a success. This year our scheduled delivery date is Saturday, November 23rd. There is much to do and I am grateful we have your help and we absolutely can use more help, especially fund raising.

At this point, our target is to feed 100-120 families which means we need to raise $2,500 - $3,000. The more people we have helping to raise money, the easier it will be. If there is a surplus, (which in past years has been little to none) we will use it towards basket enhancements, next year's Basket Brigade, or try to feed more families. So let's try to do the best we can, last year we almost had to cut our family list the last minute. This has historically been one of the more challenging aspects of the Basket Brigade, but I believe that as a group we can change that.

There are many different ways to try to raise funds. Some of them may include an e-mail to co-workers, family and friends, clients /customers, business associates, your employer, flyers and the list goes on. Each of us has to decide the methods that will stretch us, yet be comfortable and fun. Personally, I have been pleasantly surprised how people want to help and thank me for telling them about the Basket Brigade. I believe that the magic of the Basket Brigade comes from little interactions and "miracles" that happen throughout the process, so have fun and remember you are making a difference!

Other than raising money there is a lot of other preparation that we need you for.
Following are other areas we need help in order to prepare for the big delivery day. Please e-mail Matt Alpert at malpert100@aol.com to help out.

1) 2-3 individuals to help map the addresses. (We will show you!)
2) One individual to create a spreadsheet with our volunteer info. and be willing to
notify all volunteers of the delivery day details: directions to IMS, date time etc.
3) Delivery day organizational responsibilities: transportation coordinator, atmosphere
planner: food, music, etc.

Let's get creative and think outside the box! Is there anyone who has contacts at toy companies or children's book stores? Also, we may not get as many product donations as in prior years (shampoo & personal care.) Maybe laundry baskets instead of boxes? Someone may want to call some companies and try to get donations or discounts.

My family, friends, which includes people from the Happiness Club have been involved in this and it is lots of fun. You will not believe how much you will get into the Holiday Mood and Spirit by taking part in this event. We can use your help. Imagine, that it is Thanksgiving Day, and you are five years old, and your Mom does not have enough money to buy a nice dinner. You can make a difference in that kid's life. Who knows how much that will mean to that kid when he, or she grows up and remembers what YOU did for them! We all experience getting a little of this happiness on ourselves. What a wonderful day of sharing happiness.

Thanksgiving Basket Brigade Driving Directions

Click on this: Thanksgiving Basket Brigade.

Directions from New Haven Traveling South on I95
Take I-95 South - Exit 40, Woodmont Road. Take a left at bottom of ramp onto Woodmont Road. Proceed to traffic light at intersection of Old Gate Lane and Woodmont Road. Go thru traffic light on Woodmont Road. (You'll see a Shell gas station and Dunkin' Donuts on your left.) Continue on Woodmont Road thru the next traffic light (at Research Drive), to the top of the hill (just before the RR overpass). Take a left onto Quarry Road. Take a right into Quarry Road Business Park. There are two buildings in the park; IMS is located in the building on your right. Take a right and then a left. IMS is located at the 3rd red column. Welcome to IMS!

Directions from New York Traveling North on the I-95
Take I-95 North - Exit 40, Old Gate Lane/Woodmont Road. Take a left at bottom of the ramp onto Old Gate Lane. Proceed to traffic light at intersection of Old Gate Lane and Woodmont Road. Go right at traffic light onto Woodmont Road. (You'll see a Shell gas station and Dunkin' Donuts on your left.) Continue on Woodmont Road thru one traffic light (at Research Drive), to the top of the hill (just before the RR overpass). Take a left onto Quarry Road. Take a right into Quarry Road Business Park. There are two buildings in the park; IMS is located in the building on your right. Take a right and then a left. IMS is located at the 3rd red column. Welcome to IMS!

Directions from New Haven Traveling South on Merritt Parkway - Rt. 15
Take the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) South through Orange, Connecticut. Take (Exit 54) onto the I-95 Connector toward Milford. Go approximately one mile on the connector and take I-95 North (second exit). Go north on I-95 to - Exit 40, Old Gate Lane/Woodmont Road. Take a left at bottom of ramp onto Woodmont Road. Proceed to traffic light at intersection of Old Gate Lane and Woodmont Road. Go right at traffic light onto Woodmont Road. (You'll see a Shell gas station and Dunkin' Donuts on your left.) Continue on Woodmont Road thru one traffic light (at Research Drive), to the top of the hill (just before the RR overpass). Take a left onto Quarry Road. Take a right into Quarry Road Business Park. There are two buildings in the park; IMS is located in the building on your right. Take a right and then a left. IMS is located at the 3rd red column. Welcome to IMS!

Directions from New York Traveling North on the Merritt Parkway
Take the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) North through Stratford, Connecticut over the Igor Sikorsky Bridge (steel grid bridge). Take the first exit, Exit 54, onto the I-95 Connector toward Milford. Go approximately one mile on the connector and take I-95 North. Go north on I-95 to Exit 40, Old Gate Lane/Woodmont Road. Take a left at bottom of the ramp onto Old Gate Lane. Proceed to traffic light at intersection of Old Gate Lane and Woodmont Road. Go right at traffic light onto Woodmont Road. (You'll see a Shell gas station and Dunkin' Donuts on your left.) Continue on Woodmont Road thru one traffic light (at Research Drive), to the top of the hill (just before the RR overpass). Take a left onto Quarry Road. Take a right into Quarry Road Business Park. There are two buildings in the park; IMS is located in the building on your right. Take a right and then a left. IMS is located at the 3rd red column. Welcome to IMS!

Happ-E-Quote:) "Happiness is the delicate balance between what one is and what one has." - F. H. Denison

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:) "To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it." - Confucius

BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
October 23, 2002

HAPPY BOOKS!
By Lionel Ketchian

We learn quickly to remove our hand from a hot stove. The pain is a lesson for remembering to be cautious so we do not repeat the same mistake. There are two basic ways that we can learn. The first is from our own pain, the second from the experience other people received from their pain. The purpose of pain is to instruct us to learn a lesson in life, so we can avoid continually harming ourselves.

Good authors that write books on happiness provide us with two wonderful things. They offer us friendship and direction. Great books are written because people care. The direction they offer you is created from the experiences they have encountered. They can save you from pain, and point you toward happiness. Allow me to introduce you to some of the best.

Four of the best books Richard Carlson, Ph.D. has ever written are, Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...And It's All Small Stuff, Shortcut Through Therapy, You Can Be Happy No Matter What, and You Can Feel Good Again. I love the book: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach. The Happiness Purpose, by Edward De Bono is amazing and one of the earlier books on happiness. You can learn a great deal from The Feeling Good Handbook, by David D. Burns, M.D., he is a genius. Choice Theory, by William Glasser, M.D. is one of the most remarkable books on choosing happiness. Daniel Goleman, Ph.D. has introduced us to Emotional Intelligence, and understanding that IQ is not everything. Albert Ellis, Ph.D., wrote more than 70 books; How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable, is one of his best.

The book, Awareness, by Anthony DeMello who was a Priest, is a fantastic triumph on the work he did on happiness. In the Spirit of Happiness, by The Monks Of New Skete, is written by monks that live in New York State, raise German Shepherds, and understand what religion says about happiness. I like the King James Version of the Bible. I grew up reading The Power of Positive Thinking, by Rev. Norman Vincent Peale. I was very impressed with Finding Joy, A Practical Spiritual Guide To Happiness, by Dannel I. Schwartz, a Rabbi and great happiness teacher. No list is complete without the book, Man's Search For Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl, M.D. This is a must read to understand the meaning of happiness. Read The Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Baltasar Gracian, it's an oldie but a goodie.

I must include: How to Get What You Want and Want What You Have, by John Gray, Ph.D. This is Gray's best book on happiness. Happiness Is A Choice, by Barry Neil Kaulfman, is a must read because he is a pioneer in the field of happiness. Food for Thought, by Lionel R. Ketchian is a personal recommendation. David Niven, Ph.D. shows us how to be happy in his book The 100 Simple Secrets Of Happy People. Prescriptions for Happiness, by Ken Keyes, Jr., as well as all his other books are full of insight. Ken was on my Radio show in 1994, he has since past away.

Read A Manual For Living - Epictetus, by Sharon Lebell, any material on Epictetus is fantastic. He lived in 55 A.D., and his words are just as meaningful and true today. Read Enlighten Up, Freeing The Real You! by Marianne T. Schorer it is a great book. Climb your Stairway to Heaven, The 9 habits of maximum happiness, by David Leonhardt is a wonderful book. Read The Choice or The Greatest Salesman In The World, by Og Mandino. He is one of my favorite authors, and I had the privilege of having him on my radio show in 1994, he has since past away. You can learn quite a bit from The Art Of Happiness, A Handbook for Living, by The Dalai Lama. More good books are Choose To Be Happy, by Swami Chetanananda. I know his name sounds funny, but he really explains why happiness is a spiritual path to enlightenment. The Skill Of Happiness, by Jim Leonard is a good one for meditation.

I recommend Being Happy! by Andrew Matthews, this is a must read for learning to be happy. The Pursuit Of Happiness, by David G. Myers, Ph.D. is one you will keep hearing about. Why People Don't Heal and How They Can, by Carolyn Myss, Ph.D. is a great book by a really wonderful human being that I have had the privilege to meet. How We Choose to Be Happy, by Rick Foster & Greg Hicks is a recent book and one that is important. My list would not be complete without Life Was Never Meant to Be a Struggle, by Stuart Wilde. I cannot say enough about Unlimited Power, by Anthony Robbins. I re-read his book more times than any other book I have. I had Tony on my radio show and he signed my book because it was so dog-eared and had yellow highlighting on almost every page.

A New York Times best-selling author Don Miguel Ruiz wrote two excellent books: The Four Agreements, A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, and The Mastery Of Love, A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship. Teach Only Love, by Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D. is a classic. I love Dr. Bernie Siegel for the work he has done in Love, Medicine & Miracles, and many other books. He has done so much to change the way people think about illness and happiness.

Our next meeting is Thursday, October 24, 2002, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Borders Books, Music & Cafe at 1499 Post Road, Fairfield. The topic is "HAPPY BOOKS," there will be a presentation by Lionel Ketchian. Please join us for complimentary coffee and discussion, and win a basket of books. It is open to the public and admission is free.

These books and authors are some of my best friends, and they can be yours as well. Check the collection of 301 books listed on the happiness web site. Put some in your library today!

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.

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