We have lots of happiness in the news for you! Our first Happ-E-News :) There was an article in the The Standard Newspaper, a local paper in St. Catharines, Canada, about the Niagara Happiness Club on January 14, 2005.. Jane Bradley, the President who runs the meetings said, "I have had so many calls from the article, so many people want to join the happiness movement here in Niagara, Canada."

Our second Happ-E-News :) The New York Times published an article about The Happiness TV Show. It was about the work that George Ortega and I are doing to promote happiness. The column which was written by Marek Fuchs appeared on the cover of the Westchester, section of the The New York Times on Sunday, January 16, 2005.

Our third Happ-E-News :) The editor of the Connecticut edition of The New York Times will be sending a reporter and photographer to attend our next Happiness Club Meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2005. Come on down and show your support for happiness. Please feel free to send me an e-mail about how happiness has worked for you. Include your name and phone number and it may be published in the The New York Times article.

And now a word from my soul mate, Robert Louis Stevenson: "The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions." Thank you for those words Robert!

Many of you may not know that Robert Louis Stevenson was sickly from the very beginning of his life. Robert suffered from tuberculosis and through much of his childhood he was attended by his faithful nurse, Alison Cunningham, known as Cummy in the family circle. Writing was one of the few activities he could do when he was confined to his bed because of hemorrhaging lungs--"Bluidy Jack" he nicknamed the recurrent bleeding.

Robert knew the power and the meaning and the benefit of being happy. He rose above his pain and his suffering to share with us some of the very best thoughts on happiness! He was a Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet who became one of the world's most popular writers. Despite his illness, he wrote some of his most enduring fiction, notably Treasure Island (1883), Kidnapped (1886), Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850, he died on December 3, 1894.

Robert has expressed a great deal about happiness in many other thoughts of his and he really did understand and live the principles and derived the benefits of happiness. Here is another little known work he did on How to Be Happy by Robert Louis Stevenson

1. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
2. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
3. Don't take yourself too seriously. Don't think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.
4. You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you.
5. Don't let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
6. Do the things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
7. Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.
8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, enmity, grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
9. Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.
10. Don't hold post-mortems. Don't spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things.
11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
12. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.’

Happiness Empowerment to You! LIVE RICHLY...PRACTICE HAPPINESS!

Sharing Love, Peace and Happiness with you,
Lionel Ketchian

Reminding you to make the "Happiness Decision." Giving you our Happiness Club Meeting dates, bringing you The Happiness TV Show, on television and on the Internet, the newest 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: "A Happier World Through Reality Television"

"You already have everything you need to be happy. The realization that this is true is all you need." - From the book, Food for Thought, by Lionel Ketchian

Think Smart, Look Smart, Be Smart...Be Happy!

Happ-E-Mail :) Happiness is being able to give to others and allowing others to love you in return. Giving to others allows one to improve the world in some small way. Happiness is not related to money or how rich one is in their life but what mark they have left on others and the world. How much better the world would be if everyone thought like that. - Ursula Post

Happ-E-Quote :) "Happiness consists in being perfectly satisfied with what we have got and with what we haven't got. It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. - Spurgeon

Happ-E-Mail :) I read every word of the happiness articles in Time magazine as soon as it came in our mail. I thought they absolutely should have included your ideas in it. I took notes and if there is time and if the weather cooperates, I would like to tell the group about the articles at the meeting next week. I would also like to explain what I am doing in the Living Well course I am giving for Fairfield Continuing Education beginning Feb. 1st. The course includes part of a session on happiness, which includes some of my ideas. Thanks and love from Alice Katz

Happ-E-Quote :) "The most powerful thing in the world you can do is give up your power and just be happy. In being happy and not seeking power...it is then realized." - Lionel Ketchian

Happ-E-Mail :) I figured you heard about the Time Magazine cover story on Happiness. If you have any plans to take your "mission" beyond Connecticut and the internet, now's your time to sell your ideas to a publisher -- or a producer -- or get an agent -- while the issue is hot! I was thinking about you the whole time I was reading it. Good Luck! Bonnie

Happ-E-Quote :) "The man who can make hard things easy is the educator."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happ-E-Mail :) Please place me on your Happiness Club list. I am in a MA program studying "Positive Psychology" and always wish to hear/learn more on topics within this branch of Psychology. I live in Maryland. Thanks, Barbara

Happ-E-Quote :) "Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people." - Mother Teresa

Happ-E-Mail :) Thank you so very much for including Dr. Muller's workshop information. Everyone I send your newsletter to just loves it. Your message went straight to my heart. Thank you for being so generous with your words on Happiness and sending us so much love. - We send you love and happiness...Barbara and Robert Muller

Deciding to Make Things Right Highway to Heaven
A Playful Workshop
Dr. Robert Muller and Douglas Gillies
Sunday, February 6, 2005 1:30-3:30 PM
Karpeles Library Museum
21 West Anapamu, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Free

Decisions are the creative power of the Universe at work through the collective minds and hearts of 6.4 billion people who inhabit this planet. Despite all the obstacles and adverse conditions and ornery people who seem to get in the way, a good decision can determine the outcome simply because nobody has bothered to decide anything different. We just need to put our foot down. The greatest crime against nature during this pivotal time in history may be nothing more than remorse and complacency.

We have the power to make a different decision. We invite you to step forward and exercise your power of making decisions. Join Douglas Gillies, author and lawyer, with special guest Dr. Robert Muller in a playful exercise of personal power. Dr. Robert Muller is a former UN Assistant Secretary General and Co-founder and Former Chancellor of the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. He is the recipient of 2002 World Citizenship Award awarded by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation's.

Happ-E-Reply :) Dear Dr. Robert Muller,

I think about you every day because you have thought about, and brought forth the words, "Decide to be Happy...," in your book, Most of All They Taught Me Happiness. You have a place in my heart because you know what the power of a decision is. Dr. Muller you have not only helped me understand it, but you have helped me to use it in my life...always. It completely wipes away confusion, which is the enemy of happiness and the food for fear and violence.

Dr. Muller, this one thought of yours, "Decide to be Happy...," is stronger than all the armies that ever marched on this earth. This one thought' "Decide to be Happy...," can unite us all like a snow flake joining others to cover the earth in a blanket of white purity. Individually "Decide to be Happy..." makes us powerful and together it makes us peaceful; for it unites us all.

Dearest Barbara and Robert, I love you both. Thank you for your work on happiness. "Decide to be Happy" is the shortest distance to peace; it is the distance from my heart to yours. Sending Love, Peace and Happiness to you, Lionel

Happ-E-Quote :) From Robert's Golden Sayings: "Happiness is the test of being a successful, marvelous, cosmic unit. World happiness will be the test of our Earth being a successful cosmic paradise." Dr. Robert Muller

Happ-E-Mail :) I would like to subscribe to your newsletter, as a friend just sent me a copy and I thought it was a wonderful idea and it contributes to spreading more happiness which I support wholeheartedly.

Happ-E-Quote :) "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank

Happ-E-Mail :) I went to the library today to look for Pliskin’s book, Gateway to Happiness, but they do not have it. It appears to be hard to get even on Amazon. Any other ideas or do you think it is advisable for the Happiness Club to ask the Fairfield Library to purchase the book? Best regards, Marc W. Halpert

Happ-E-Quote :) "The meaning of life cannot be told; it has to happen to a person." - Ira Progoff (1921-1998) Psychologist and educator

Happ-E-Mail :) Hi there, I hope that all is going super great. It's great hearing from you. While it's already towards the end of Jan. it's always a great time to wish a friend a fantastic year, from the first day of the year to the last moment.

I want to share with you that the following quote in your recent newsletter: "Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at." - Wolfgang von Goethe is a Talmudic statement. The Talmud states that a person's character is recognized by 3 things: By the way he reacts with money, by the way he reacts when he drinks an intoxicating beverage, and by his anger, and the Talmud adds "And some say, by his sense of humor." I wish you everything terrific. All the best always, Zelig

Happ-E-Note :) Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is the author of the book Gateway to Happiness, which is, in my opinion, the most comprehensive book I have read on happiness.

Happ-E-Quote :) "Because of our natural tendency to think in counterproductive ways, it takes an effort to improve. A person who wants to master the attribute of happiness has to be willing to make that effort." - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, author Gateway to Happiness

Happ-E-Mail :) Great newsletter again. I was at the grocery store and saw the Time Magazine all about happiness and just had to buy it. I've pretty much read it from cover to cover. How wonderful that happiness is getting the attention it deserves. Can't wait to see you at the Happiness Club meeting! Love, Lynette

Happ-E-Quote :) "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happ-E-Mail :) A rock met my windshield. AS for the windshield, LOL!!!! I was surprised (afterward) about my reaction. When it happened, instead of "blowing a gasket," the first thing I did was rapidly look up and say "thanks for the window NOT breaking." "Thanks for the damage to be on the passenger side instead of right in front of me, and for me not to have panicked." So, no one got hurt and no accident happened." Then I starting LAUGHING because I was happy with MYSELF!

Since I know it is covered by my insurance, I have no true REASON to be anything but happy about what DID NOT happen, rather then bemoan a broken window! Even better, my car dealership is even covering a part of my deductible, so I am even more thankful to God about everything, and able to get it replaced now instead of having to wait a few weeks!

It is true that our choices can be much more directed once we take the time to pay attention to them, and then we can choose the more correct, Heartfelt, Happy or simply "lesser evil" and then let it go if we cannot do anything more!

But what I am finding more and more, in a way I think we even touched on this, it is NOT ONLY a question of Happiness, but also of Gratefulness and Thankfulness to God for all the things that are around us. For Life, the Universe and Everything!! Thank you and Bless you!! Good night to you my Friend, Serge Ayotte!

Happ-E-Quote :) "Would you rather feel worse than you have to? Do you want to choose to feel happy? At the root of complaining is thinking that the situation could be better. At the root of satisfaction is being aware that the situation could be worse. In almost all instances things could be worse and they could be better. To master happiness a person needs to have a constant awareness that things are better than they could be." - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, author Gateway to Happiness.

"It is not negative experiences that threaten our happiness. It is our habitual return to negative emotional reactions to those experiences that suppress or interfere with our happy, joyful, grateful moods. Release all charge on repressed beliefs carried forward in the dragnets of memory and you will move into present time-centered beliefs. Do this and nothing in the outer world will ever rob you of your happiness and peace of mind again" - Melissa Zollo

Happ-E-Quote :) "Give light and the people will find their own way." - Motto of the Scripps-Howard newspapers

Happ-E-Mail :) I am so grateful for you all. I so love and adore everyone who chooses happiness. You are all so amazing, so beautiful. Thank you for existing, thank you for being YOU. - Sandra from Arizona

Happ-E-Quote :) "We find comfort among those who agree with us--growth among those who don't." - Frank A. Clark

Happ-E-Mail :) I learned a lot from reading this newsletter. I was like a little kid when I read Time magazine. Perhaps happiness is finally getting the recognition it deserves and the world will become "happier"!! You are truly an inspiration to everyone who is blessed to know you. Love, Barb

Happ-E-Quote :) "A concise formula for happiness can be put simply: consistently make an effort to think thoughts conducive to happiness and you will be happy. Your mind is constantly at work with various cognitions and images at the forefront of your focus. If you make an effort to keep telling yourself statements conducive to happiness, yo will live a happy life. It is your choice. Many people are completely aware of what they are constantly telling themselves, but by obtaining an awareness they will have greater control." - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, author Gateway to Happiness.

Happ-E-Mail :) I am on my way to the doctor's...stopped in the library and made a copy of your latest newsletter...to read while sitting in the doctor's office...great positive reading!!! I know I will not be able to get out to the meeting...but will be there in spirit....I am now counting the days until Spring ...thank you for the messages you send out to us all...I was delighted to read all the articles in Time....I was amazed...you were way AHEAD of the times..!!!!! ( Now that was an appropriate PUN!......I hope I will get to a meeting in time! (This pun was not deliberate!) Must get to the doctors...it is time! And, time and doctors wait for no one! Blessings, Joanie

Happ-E-Quote :) "That which we are, we are all the while teaching, not voluntarily, but involuntarily." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happ-E-Mail :) "The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible." - Richard DeVos

Happ-E-Quote:) "Do all the good you can, and make as little fuss about it as possible." - Charles Dickens

Happ-E-Quote :) " Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING :) Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a "The Happiness Decision!" We all look forward to seeing you. Come on down, meet some great people, get connected, and share the joy!

Meet :) "The Happiness Decision!"

Date :) Thursday, February 17, 2005

2005 UPCOMING HAPPINESS CLUB MEETINGS DATES :)
Thursday, February 17, 2005

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Directions to Fairfield Sullivan Independence Town Hall
725 Old Post Road (corner of Beach Road) Fairfield, CT 06824
I 95 Southbound Exit 22: Left onto North Benson Road, then cross Post Road/Route 1 and continue one block to stop sign. Take a right onto Old Post Road and continue one block to stop sign. Town Hall is across the street on the left and Independence Hall is down the driveway from Town Hall.
I 95 Northbound Exit 22: Right onto Round Hill Road, then cross Post Road/Route 1 and
continue one block to stop sign. Town Hall is across the street on the right and Independence Hall is down the driveway from Town Hall.

Happ-E-Quote :) "Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones." - Tim McCarver

The next meeting of the Canada Happiness Club will be THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2005. THE HAPPINESS CLUB OF NIAGARA IS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT: "TRUE COLOURS" by Deb Poppe.

The time if from 700 - 8:30 PM. It will be held at: The Normandy Resource Centre (The Legion), 111, Church Street, St. Catharines, Ontario. This facility is fully accessible. Admission is A smile and as always is free. Cheers! Jane

Happ-E-Quote :) "Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be." - Henry David Thoreau

Happ-E-Thanks :) A great big Happy Thank You to Nancy Simon for being a wonderful person and for doing lots of proofreading for the Be Happy Zone articles. Nancy and her husband Jerry are black belt masters and train people in self defense at their Fred Villari's Studio of Self Defense at 63 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. Phone # 203 254-0350.

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian
January 26, 2005

I just had to share with you some of these great ideas from George Ortega, for bringing happiness to the world.

"Imagine large populations of television viewers witnessing; first hand, individuals rising from unhappiness (or marginal happiness), to much greater happiness. As you may know, Fox Network recently premiered a television series called "Nanny 911" that brought a professional nanny to the rescue of parents having great difficulties managing their young children. At the end of each episode, delighted parents are presented as having adopted the nanny's recommendations, and restoring health and harmony to their household. This series has been so successful that on January 17, 2005, ABC premiered its own version called "Super Nanny."

The first idea is to encourage the creation of a reality television series that features a happiness coach who is brought to the rescue of unhappy, or marginally happy, families. As with the nanny series, each episode would enable viewers to witness first hand, and in a single episode, the relatively quick transformation of these families from varying degrees of gloom to healthy levels of happiness. Very importantly, select clips would highlight the various happiness-increase techniques responsible for the families' joyful metamorphosis.

By seeing these successes, many viewers would gain assurance that unhappiness is not something we must passively endure. Many would seek happiness coaches or businesses to teach them and their children to become happier. Businesses and entrepreneurs would then quickly notice that this newly created consumer demand for happiness training is largely unexploited, and would establish new businesses to sell consumers happiness as a product. As businesses advertised their happiness training, the demand for happiness would grow, and many people throughout the world who cannot afford to pay for training would realize that they can become just as happy by forming happiness clubs and support groups.

Optomen Television, an award winning production company located in London, is in the final stages of developing a major happiness documentary series for BBC2. Their ambitious plan is to boost the happiness level of an entire town in Britain using current research findings. Very recently, a top happiness researcher informed me that another British production company had actually begun work on a happiness-based reality television show. Surely if the Brits can create these happiness series and reality shows, we can do the same here in America.

I am optimistic that American companies would be willing to produce happiness-based reality television shows in the two above-described formats, or through other ways (like a "Dr. Phil" of Happiness). I can think of no better way to convince large populations that becoming much happier through training is possible than through reality television programs. I can think of no faster route to a happier world than through these programs. Please consider how effectively happiness-based reality television shows could spark a global happiness training industry and thousands of happiness clubs and support groups world wide.

If you know someone in television, tell him or her about the idea. Reality TV is very hot in America and its popularity is growing very quickly throughout other parts of the world. Whoever produces a happiness-based reality TV program in America will have a very successful show. I recently launched a major publicity campaign promoting the creation of happiness based reality shows. If you believe in this idea, and would like to help see these shows on the air, the campaign can use all the help you can give.
As Lionel and I say at the beginning of all our shows, "Happiness is, always has been, and always will be, the point of it all." The magic of reality television could be very helpful in assisting our world to finally get the point.

I’d like to thank my co-host, Lionel Ketchian, for giving me this opportunity to present two very promising strategies for helping us all to become much happier. Our world is in the process of realizing fully that happiness is our most cherished desire in life, and that we can all become as happy as we like. By the year 2010, our world should be much happier. In part because of Lionel's keen understanding of happiness and his great compassion in devoting his life to sharing this profound wisdom with the world."
- George Ortega

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be on Thursday, February 17, from 7:00 - 9:00. The presentation will be "The Happiness Decision!" It will be held at the Sullivan Independence Hall, Fairfield. Admission is free; everyone is welcome. Looking forward to seeing you. Come on down, meet some great people, get connected, and have a great year!

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

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS: To be removed from this Happ-E-Newsletter reply with "Remove" in the subject line.

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

© Copyright 2005, Lionel R. Ketchian, all rights reserved.