The New York Times will have a reporter and a photographer attending our next Happiness Club Meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2005. We hope to see you there, come on down and show your support for happiness. Our meeting will talk place at 7:00 PM at the Fairfield Town Hall at 611 Old Post Road (corner of Beach Road), not the Sullivan Town Hall building. We needed more room for the photographer. It is the first building you come to at town hall.

In case you thought this Happiness Newsletter is going to the dogs, you're right! Since the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has started, I thought I would present doggone good dog quotes for you throughout this newsletter.

"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." - James Thurber

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: OVERCOMING DIABETES.

"The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue." -Anonymous

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

Happ-E-Mail :) Hello Lionel: I am writing to introduce my good friends John & Doris Earp...yes, they are related to Wyatt Earp! John has been suffering from high blood sugar levels. In my discussion with Doris this morning I mentioned your recent successes. Would you be kind enough to share your secrets with them? They are good people. Very best, Julian Kalmar

Happ-E-Quote :) "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." - Franklin P. Jones

Happ-E-Mail :) I just want you to know how much I enjoy the Happy Newsletter. Unfortunately, I never have time to read every word, so I scroll through it and wait to see what catches my eye. Amazingly, my eye catches what I need to hear! This month's information about Robert Louis Stevenson, your soul-mate, was so interesting & inspiring. Thank you for the much needed doses of upliftment. Hope to see you again soon, Beverly

Happ-E-Quote :) "Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." - Ann Landers

Happ-E-Mail :) I really enjoy the Happiness Club and I am grateful for all of your help. Thank you. Madeline

Happ-E-Quote :) "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

Happ-E-Mail :) Well your magic has appeared once again and why am I surprised. I was wondering what to teach my students tomorrow and I read you newsletter. It was filled with so much joy and happiness that I am going to spread it around. In life you can be better or bitter-the choice is up to you. I've learned that there are many things in my life that are beyond my control, but there are few things in life beyond my power of choice! Thank you for your teaching and inspiration. Barbara Rudolph

Happ-E-Quote :) "The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." - Andy Rooney

Happ-E-Mail :) Thanks I shared the newsletter at clinical today and some of my students cried with joy!!!! Barbara Rudolph

Happ-E-Quote :) "Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate." - Sigmund Freud

Happ-E-Mail :) Greetings from Oklahoma! My name is Vicki and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. After reading some of the articles at your website I found I'm very interested in what your doing and think it's happily fantastic. In kind Regards, Vicki Clem

Happ-E-Quote :) "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Happ-E-Mail :) Hey Lionel, It was a great pleasure for me to spend time with you last Friday. As you noted, we share the same philosophy, and I've enjoyed reading this Happ-E-Newsletter.

You know, when my wife was going through the final year of her cancer struggle, I was not a very happy person. Needless to say, I cried often and felt generally depressed. During that time, I frequently prayed, asking God to give me the strength to be there for her.

It was after she passed away (at age 46), that I got in touch with the happiness philosophy we share. It was then that I became aware of how many things I was blessed with -- health, a place to live, food to eat. So, I too believe that by reminding ourselves of our blessings, we can start each day being happy.

I also know that there will be times in our lives when circumstances will derail happy feelings.
My thought is, "That's okay, too." Those troubles will pass, and then we can begin again.
Sending Love, Peace and Happiness "back-at-you!" Bob Fuchs

Happ-E-Quote :) "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

Happ-E-Mail :) Dear Lionel, It is still Valentine's day where you are - so I'd like to send you a vision of a rose. Not red, this one, but palest cram with a blush of pink at the petal edges.

It is a wonderful day to tell people that you love them. Today I am sending messages to a few special people across the world who help me to be myself, give so much to all those around them, or are just quietly remarkable. I want to thank you for reaching out to me, and to others who are obviously as moved as I was. I wonder if you've noticed how many of them happen to be called "Barbara"? I'm sure its not a coincidence - you must somehow be subliminally drawn to, or attract Barbara's! I am thinking of writing about it on the blogsite!

I wish you and your very own, special Barbara a wonderful day, full of love and flowers.

With love and a warm hug to you, my friend. Dr. Barbara Manighetti, New Zealand

Happ-E-Quote :) "My goal in life is to be a person as good as my dog already thinks I am." - Anonymous

Happ-E-Mail :) I wish I was going to be here for the meeting. I'll be sending smiles from across the world. I leave for my trip to Cameroon, Central Africa. It's a work trip and I'll be gone two weeks, from Feb. 13th - 25th. I'll miss you all at the next meeting on the 17th, which is also Joanne's birthday. Have a great weekend and look forward to seeing you when I return. Love you, Lynette

Happ-E-Quote :) "My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money." - Joe Weinstein

Happ-E-Quote :) " If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise." - Unknown

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

Meeting :) "The Happiness Decision!"

Date :) Thursday, February 17, 2005

Time :) 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place :) Fairfield Town Hall

Address :) 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

2005 UPCOMING HAPPINESS CLUB MEETINGS DATES :)
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

611 Old Post Road (corner of Beach Road)

I 95 Southbound
Exit 22
Left onto North Benson Road
Cross Post Road/Route 1
Continue one block to stop sign
Right onto Old Post Road
Continue one block to stop sign
Town Hall is across the street on the left

I 95 Northbound
Exit 22
Right onto Round Hill Road
Cross Post Road/Route 1
Continue one block to stop sign
Town Hall is across the street on the right

Happ-E-Quote :) "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

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 :) "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." - Will Rogers

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian
February 9, 2005

I have been asked by a few people to share my success in overcoming diabetes. I thought I would write about my recent experiences. I have completely overcome diabetes and I am no longer taking any medication for it.

I was diagnosed with pre diabetes about a year ago. I have been going to an endocrinologist to control my diabetes. I was told to eat a diabetic diet, cut down on my portions and eat more frequent meals. I followed the prescribed plan but found my sugar levels became more elevated until I was informed that I actually had diabetes. I was then put on one prescription drug for diabetes, which didn't show any improvement and was told I would eventually need to be on a higher dose of medication.

At this point a friend told me about a new book that was just published in 2004 called the Atkins Diabetes Revolution. I found out that three out of four diabetics have heart attacks, and my doctor confirmed those statistics for me. Unfortunately diabetes has many adverse and negative effects. I became very motivated to do everything I could to overcome this dreadful disease. In a very short time, a period of just a few months, I have completely reversed my negative condition. I recommend that you read the book and decide for yourself.

I want you to know that I am eating very sensibly. I do not eat much fat and very little bacon even thought it is recommended in the book. In fact, I eat a normal and balanced plate of food; which includes some meat, chicken or fish, a vegetable, and some salad. I do not eat many carbohydrates. I try to limit the carbs to 30 grams per day.

I can also tell you that you must exercise regularly or it probably will not work for you. I have a pedometer and I walk 10,000 steps every day, which is about five miles a day. I have taken control of myself, which is exactly what I needed to do. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you and than take the right action.

I have not only beat diabetes, but I have reduced my blood pressure as well. I was on two medications for high blood pressure. I am no longer taking any medication for this condition. High blood pressure is the other side of the coin for diabetes. Exercise and eating healthier helped me fight this condition.

I was also on cholesterol reducing medication, which I no longer require. Even my good cholesterol, my HDL, has improved. In fact I was also on a medication to elevate my HDL but it did not work for me. The Atkins Diabetes program actually did the trick for me. I also take a number of vitamins every day. In the book the Atkins Diabetes Revolution, they indicate a number of vitamins that are beneficial. I now take a multivitamin supplement, you can purchase in any store, that is iron-free because it has been shown to improve blood pressure and blood lipids in diabetics.

I think the most important thing of all regarding the success I experienced was being happy and staying happy. Like all habits, you have to decide that changing the way you eat is what you want to do. When you actually do that, it becomes easier because you start to realize that you will succeed. I have been on other diets in my life, but the real difference is that I am doing this one by using the power of happiness. The real trick to this diet is that you do not make yourself unhappy no matter what happens. I may not lose weight as fast as I would like to, but I am happy while I lose weight slowly. Besides, the important thing is not being on a diet, it is learning to educate myself to change the way I eat and the way I think about food.

Being Happy has made me realize that it is not about losing weight. Who wants to lose something? It is about gaining health. So I am gaining health on the Happiness Diet. In fact, I have not lost that much weight. I lost about 10 pounds, but I have lost a lot of fat and inches. Since I have been walking every day I have gained muscle and lost fat.

My Happiness Diet is fun. If you're not having fun then you have to change something. You have got to be creative here. Start doing more exercise not only because it is good for you but also because you enjoy it and have fun doing it. You don't know if you like something until you start doing it. If you begin some form of exercise then keep it up for awhile and you may just get to love it. Start off slow and easy and do not over do the exercise you choose. If you do too much too soon, you will not keep it up. A little is much better than none. You must do it for at least 21 days to make it a habit.

This is your life! Remember that and choose a way of eating that will be beneficial for you. Find the right diet for you, one that you can stay on, one that can maintain your health and your happiness. I plan to eat this way for life because my diet has become a healthy and happy way of life for me.

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be on Thursday, February 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 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.