Happiness is an issue of power. We give our happiness to others for many reasons. Then we think that they make us unhappy. The truth is that we have given others the power over ourselves. We must take our power back in order to be happy again. Now is the time for you to learn to use happiness in dealing with challenges and difficult people in your life so you can develop the power to prevail.

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: JOY TO THE WORLD!

"What worries you, masters you." - Haddon W. Robinson
Think Smart, Look Smart, Be Smart...Be Happy! - Lionel

Happ-E-Mail:) Lovely issue. Just read that people with positive attitudes - have fewer head colds. Just another indication of the power of positive, happy thoughts. God Bless. Joyce Kovleman

Happ-E-Quote:) "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." Buddha

Happ-E-Mail:) Thank you for your consistency in sending the world a word of happiness. - Maria

Happ-E-Quote:) "We ought to make an effort to act on our first thoughts and let our unspoken gratitude find expression. Then there will be more sunshine in the world, and more power to work for what is good." - Albert Schweitzer

Happ-E-Mail:) Recently a good friend told me about a happiness club being held in Fairfield Connecticut. I found The Happiness Club on the Internet and e-mailed Lionel. I was truly delighted to have received a phone call from him the next day. After a few more conversations, and lunch together, I knew that Lionel understood happiness more clearly and profoundly than most, if not all, of the top psychologists and other happiness researchers I had read and consulted with in order to better understand happiness and prepare presentations for my Happiness Show.

I felt he would make an excellent co-host of The Happiness Show, and asked him if he would be willing to do the show with me. Without hesitation, he said yes, and last Tuesday we taped our first two episodes together. With his happiness show sign and smiley flags, Lionel made my otherwise muted set come alive, and the two episodes we taped were very successful. It is my hope that Lionel and I will do many more episodes together throughout the coming months and years, and that he will also decide to do his own happiness show based in Fairfield. With Lionel's help, I hope to begin a White Plains chapter of his Happiness Club. I look forward to our working together on many new projects designed to help others value happiness greatly and become very good at becoming very happy.

I have worked on various projects to promote happiness throughout the last year and a half. Lionel's passion for happiness, and success with helping others become happier, has recently inspired me to begin more ambitious projects that aim to get psychologists from around the world to appreciate and promote happiness as Lionel does. Some things in this world are truly amazing. I am continuously amazed and delighted that The Happiness Club and The Happiness Show, perhaps the first and only two of their kind in the whole country, or the whole world, came to be only a thirty five-minute drive away from each other. With regard to goodness and happiness, where there is a will there also seems to be a way, and I am very grateful that Lionel and I have begun our work together on this highest of humankind's goals - happiness! Sincerely, George Ortega

Happ-E-Quote:) "Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years." Ausonius

Happ-E-Mail:) Please sign me up to receive your e-newsletter. Your coffee house seminars, radio broadcasts and book have been a great inspiration to me over the years. I even have a picture of your book "Food For Thought" as wallpaper on my computer in the offices of the Arlington Connection newspaper in northern Virginia. Hap, Hap, Happy Holiday's. Dr. Pam Cressey and Lou Emery.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead." Scottish Proverb

Happ-E-Mail:) It was terrific meeting you the other evening. Thank you for your email. I look forward to celebrating the new year of 2004 and "Getting On the Right Track" with The Happiness Club! Happy Holidays! PEACE and POWER, Mary Makoski

Happ-E-Quote:) "A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues." - Cicero

Happ-E-Mail:) Hi... your article caught my attention. You may enjoy my website, yeartosuccess.com - it is all about success which includes living a happy life. Thanks! Bo Bennett

Happ-E-Quote:) "It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble; how hopeless the outlook; how muddled the tangle; how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world." - Emmet Fox

Happ-E-Mail:) Hi Lionel! How the heck are ya! Well, Happy of course! Of that I can always be certain. Have been wanting to write you for ages and FINALLY am attempting just that! Even though we are not necessarily in active contact, you are never far from my thoughts. I'm pleased to see the considerable "ramping up" of interest in and expansion of The Happiness Club from all the notes in your newsletters. It's a movement Lionel, one that'll soon "smother" the globe for sure. (What a way to go eh!) You must be thrilled, and not the least bit proud I would hope.

For a few months now I've also been wishing to mention to you a wonderful set of books I picked up early last spring by Gillian Stokes. Though there may indeed be more in the series, I have three of them, the first titled "Contentment - wisdom from around the world," the second titled "Acceptance - wisdom from around the world," and the third titled "Personal Power - wisdom from around the world." A quote from the Contentment book: "What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others. - Anonymous

They are delightfully presented and a great pleasure to read. Each book is perfectly graced with an abundance of worldly quotes and full color artwork to enhance the wonderful writings of the author herself. Great to glance at just before sleep, or right after waking to set one's mind in thoughtful motion for the day, or just as a refreshing pause in the midst of it all. The nice thing about these books is you don't have to "read" them as one might many other books. These seem more to offer themselves up to you, to simply take what you will as you wish. All at once, or a little at a time. As I say, delightful to read. I guess they just remind me of you for they always bring me peace and make me smile every time I turn to them, and the wisdom they purvey harmonizes so wonderfully with that of your own that I'm sure the author might just have easily have been one L. Ketchian!

I trust you are supremely well on every side of the coin Lionel, and take this opportunity to wish you and those you dearly love (guess that kinda leaves it wide open doesn't it)! Absolutely the very best of Heaven's offerings this Holiday Season (and beyond)! Sending Love and Happiness To YOU! Barry

Happ-E-Quote:) "When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened." - Sir Winston Churchill

The Happiness Show on TV:) Starting right now, you can watch "The Happiness Show," every Wednesday night, at 8:30 - 9:00 PM. Your CO-hosts will be Lionel Ketchian & George Ortega. It will be broadcast in these six towns on Cablevision of Connecticut channel 77. It airs in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Orange, Stratford and Woodbridge. Tune in and catch some happiness.

Happ-E-Quote:) "Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." - Lucille Ball

HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING:) It was wonderful meeting so many of you at our Holiday Party and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting which will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2003, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Sullivan Independence Hall - Downstairs in the back. Just around the corner from the Library at 725 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Meet some new friends and get yourself in a happy mood for the New Year. Admission is free.

Meet:) "A Happy New Year"
Date:) Thursday, January 15, 2003
Time:) 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place:) Sullivan Independence Hall - Downstairs in the back.
Address:) 725 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Just around the corner from the Library.

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

Happ-E-Quote:) "God has such a sense of humor...we have the opportunity to do whatever we want with our lives...and He lets us!" - Doug Firebaugh

BE HAPPY ZONE
Fairfield Citizen-News
December 17, 2003

JOY TO THE WORLD!
By Lionel Ketchian

Joy to the world, joy to you and me! Wishing you and your family, health and happiness this joyous season. It is with a happy heart that I send you these holiday greetings. I want to express my care and concern for your well being. This is a wonderful time of the year. A special time that allows us to express our deepest emotions to others without seeming to be over the top. It is this time of year that I really think about the people in my family, wonderful friends, the people in my community, and the many people in the world.

I want to thank each of you that read this message about happiness. I think it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and also for the world. Happiness is so important right now for all of us. I just heard that people who are stressed and depressed are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's later in life.

On December 24th, 1991, at about 6:00 PM I was driving along on my way to run a few errands. I noticed how wonderful I felt in that moment. I realized I was unquestionably happy. The thought occurred to me, what if I never give up this feeling? What if I am not willing to let go of this happiness? Can I keep it? I wondered about that and knew I had something good. It was at this time, twelve years ago, that I decided to be happy and never went back to allowing unhappiness to have the seat of power it once did. This reminds me of what George Herbert once said: "There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it." That hour came and I became conscious of the moment that was presented to me. It is available to you as well.

Happiness is a most important matter for you. It is in properly caring for ourselves that we can ever develop the care and compassion we need to have for others. Happiness is the way to peace in the world and most certainly in our own lives. Happiness helps us deal with the problems of life that we all face. It allows us to have "presence of mind," to deal with life. In fact, I came up with these initials for you to remember: D.W.I. No, in this case it does not stand for what you think. It stands for the words: DEAL WITH IT! If you don't deal with the problems of life they have a negative way of dealing with you.

Those of you who read these messages are helping to change the world by taking control of your thinking & attitude. I just got a call from a woman that comes to Happiness Club Meetings. She called to let me know that she lost her husband two weeks ago. She also wanted me to know that what she has learned about happiness at our meetings is helping her deal with her husband's death. In just two weeks, she is learning to deal with her loss and accept what she cannot change and has no control over. This is no small thing, and she must be commended for making this choice.

As we welcome in the New Year we look forward to positive changes in the Happiness Club. Aymee Branch has started a new chapter of the Happiness Club in San Francisco, CA. Aymee is a graduate student who will soon be receiving her Ph,D. and George Ortega will soon be starting a Happiness Club in White Plains, NY.

Beginning January 7. 2004, you will be able to watch "The Happiness Show," on TV every Wednesday night, from 8:30 - 9:00 PM. It will be broadcast in the following six towns on Cablevision of Connecticut channel 77: Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Orange, Stratford and Woodbridge. Tune in and catch some happiness. I will be co-hosting the series with George Ortega. We will be imparting happiness information on a weekly public access TV program called "The Happiness Show" that is entirely devoted to happiness. The program is also presented on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Channel 76 in White Plains, New York.

Our desire to present happiness awareness and promote the benefits of happiness training in schools across the country may begin in January. Some wonderful teachers attended Happiness Club meetings and who understand the benefits of being happy, have invited us to produce a program in their school. George Ortega has also been actively promoting happiness awareness to psychologists so they will conduct additional research on the increase of happiness. The findings can show educators the benefits of happiness based on actual studies.

The Happiness Club is having its next meeting on Thursday, January 15, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Sullivan Independence Hall at 725 Old Post Road in Fairfield. Park in back, the meeting is downstairs. The topic of discussion is "A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. Share the JOY and meet some happy people. Come on down! Call 203 258-7777 for additional information.

I wish you a Happy Hanukkah. I wish you a Merry Christmas. I wish you a Happy Kwanzaa. I send my wishes to you my friend for whatever holiday you celebrate. In all religions the message is one of happiness and a fuller life. It is always up to us to make the right choices. I would like to say to you; may God bless you! I want you to know that God has already blessed you. Be happy and count your blessings! It's people like you that I count as my greatest blessings. You have helped me to realize that it truly is A WONDERFUL LIFE!

Lionel Ketchian is the founder of the Happiness Club, a Happiness Coach, and can be reached at PrintLRK@aol.com. The website 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.

Happiness is an inner state of well being. A state of well being that enables you to profit from your highest: thoughts, wisdom, intelligence, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values in your life. - Lionel Ketchian

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"Don't let go of the vine." - John Weissmuller, from the film, Tarzan.
Life is full of opportunities. Go For It! Carpe diem!

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