Reminding you to make the "Happiness Decision." Letting you know about our meeting dates, giving you happiness information, and your latest copy of the Be Happy Zone Article's that are published every other Wednesday in the Fairfield Citizen-News. At the end of this newsletter you can read the latest article called: THE ROOTS OF UNHAPPINESS.

"Be as you wish to seem." - Socrates
Think Smart, Look Smart, Be Smart...Be Happy! - Lionel

Happ-E-Quote:) "I have a 'Play The Melody' philosophy. It means don't over-arrange, don't make life difficult. Just play the melody—and do it the simplest way possible." -Jackie Gleason

Happ-E-Mail:) I had a wonderful time on Thursday at the Happiness Club meeting! Thank you so much for opening your group to me. You really lifted my spirits and helped me to feel even Happier :)!!! Thanks again! - Alison

Happ-E-Quote:) No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit. - Helen Keller

Happ-E-Mail:) Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. Author unknown. DOROTHY from Texas.

Happ-E-Quote:) "You can't think your way into acting positively, but you
can act your way into thinking positively." - Nido Qubein

HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING:) Join us for our next Happiness Club meeting Thursday, April 17 from 7:00-8:45 p.m. The topic is HAPPINESS IS ALL YOU NEED. Don't miss this valuable meeting, and meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives.

Topic:) HAPPINESS IS ALL YOU NEED
Date:) Thursday, May 15, 2003
Time:) 7:00 - 8:45 P.M.
Place:) Fairfield Public Library
In the:) Rotary Room
Address:) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT

Open to the public and admission is free. www.happinessclub.com.
Call Lionel Ketchian (203) 258-7777 or E-mail: PrintLRK@aol.com

Directions:
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:) "Out of clutter, find Simplicity. From discord, find Harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies Opportunity." - Albert Einstein

Happ-E-Mail:) I heard that this was a great sight to visit, please email me whatever information letters you have on happiness, as I sure could use the advice and information. I try to be positive, however sometimes life can get me down, so all the uplifting is a real boost. Thank-you, Kurt

Happ-E-Quote:) "Worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." - Unknown

DR. BERNIE SIEGEL AT HAPPINESS CLUB DINNER MEETING:) Join Dr. Bernie Siegel and the Happiness Club for a dinner celebration to honor Bernie's work in bringing happiness to the world. Dr. Siegel is the author of Love, Medicine and Miracles. He has written several other books and is also the founder of ECaP - Exceptional Cancer Patients, in 1978. To see and listen to Dr. Siegel: Click here: Conscious Healing

The dinner meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 25th at the Peppermill Restaurant in Westport. You can find maps and travel directions on their web site Click here: Peppermill Restaurant in Westport, CT.

Event: HAPPINESS CLUB DINNER WITH DR. BERNIE SIEGEL
Place: Peppermill Restaurant
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Address: 1700 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 P.M.
Price: $32 includes tax and tip. Payment must be received by June 11, 2003
Choose one: A) Aged, Boneless Prime Rib of Beef
B) Baked Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp with Seafood Stuffing
C) Chicken Cordon Blue
D) Vegetarian Plate - Roasted Vegetable Trio (eggplant, zucchini & yellow squash) tossed with penne pasta and marinara sauce.
Includes: Salad, entrée and vegetable, rice pilaf or roasted potato, soft drinks, coffee, cake and ice cream.

$32 Check payable to:
American Litho
63 Unquowa Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

Please send your check along with your choice of entrée.
Seating is limited, if you wish to attend please send your check today!
Lionel Ketchian (203) 258-7777, E-mail: PrintLRK@aol.com.

Happ-E-Quote:) "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Norman MacEwan

BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
April 23, 2003

THE ROOTS OF UNHAPPINESS
By Lionel Ketchian

The roots of unhappiness are quite long and many. I found one that went quite deep and ran along the ground for 5 feet. I got most of it out but there were hundreds more to dig out. I am writing about my front yard. I thought it would be a good idea to cut back some bushes and extend my yard area over to the side. It sounded like a good objective at the time, but I had no idea how much work it entailed.

When you're not used to it, yard work is a lot of exertion. I don't know if it was that much easier when I was younger either. It doesn't seem like it's a lot of work when I thought I sized it all up. As soon as I got started I found out that it just might be a bit more work than I had initially imagined.

I really love being outdoors. I even like working outside. I guess the part that seems to make it difficult is running out of energy after working for a few hours. I began to wonder if I was ever going to get the work done before summer comes. Spring took its time getting here, but now that it seems to be here to stay the work comes with it. I just took a, "Let It Snow," sign down a week ago. My neighbor just mentioned to me that at least we don't have to shovel snow. I said I might have been better off with the snow shovel.

In case you are wondering about the title of this column, it really is about tree roots. I am just writing about my latest experiences. The latest book I'm reading is Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. I really enjoy reading his book and learning about his experiences while living in the woods. Maybe it has even got me feeling a little enthusiastic about doing all this work outside. It is just that when you have a desk job like I have, a shovel and rake is not something you are accustomed to using.

The whole experience is a great one. I think it is a perfect example of most things we do in life. We want something and then we dig up all the problems that come along with the thing we want. To eliminate the problem, we have to keep digging to find the root of the problem. Sometimes they are near the surface and sometimes they are deep down. If we keep working at it then we can get the roots out and smooth the surface. Once we have a level surface we can do anything we want with it.

In my case, I planted grass seed. In your case, you have to plant the seeds you want to grow. If you plant weed seeds, then you will get weeds. If you plant grass seeds then you'll get grass. It is very important to plant the type of seed you want to cultivate in your level growing area. It is much like your mind. What you plant there will grow. If you don't want something then don't plant it there so it will not grow. If you do see something growing that is not what you want then take it out. Dig it out by the roots if you must, but don't allow it to grow.

Unhappiness is much like that wild stuff growing all over the place. It is time to prune our thinking. It is time to plant new ideas and throw out the old dead and broken ones. They only stunt the growth of the new seeds you plant. You're thinking is the seed of happiness. Plant your new thoughts and prune your old ones. Things will start looking fresh and beautiful. I hope you'll find the roots of your unhappiness. Cut them and plant new seeds in their place. The next thing you know, you'll be outstanding in your field. You just have to be the gardener of your soul.

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be held on May 15, from 7:00-8:45 p.m. The topic is HAPPINESS IS ALL YOU NEED. Don't miss this valuable meeting and the opportunity to meet some wonderful people who are using happiness in their lives. The meeting will be held at the Fairfield Public Library, located at 1080 Old Post Road, in the Rotary Room. There is no charge for the meeting or the happiness you will find. Join Dr. Bernie Siegel and the Happiness Club for a dinner celebration to honor Dr. Siegel's work in bringing happiness to the world. Dr. Siegel is the author of Love, Medicine and Miracles. You can find additional information on our web site.

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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Life is full of opportunities. Go For It! Carpe diem!

© Copyright 2003, Lionel R. Ketchian, all rights reserved.