The most important part of this report is my experience of meeting some of the happiest people in the world just like you. The greatest benefit the Happiness Club has given me is meeting with, talking with and being with some of the most wonderful people. I can see beyond any doubt that happiness can transform the individual to become the most peaceful and at the same time the most powerful person in the world. This is because when we live with happiness we become loving and we have those qualities that we need so badly and can give to others. Without having happiness for yourself you have nothing to give others. Being happy illuminates the world for each and helps us to find our true meaning and purpose in life.

The New York Times just published an article in the Connecticut section on Sunday, April 17, 2005 that Bill Slocum wrote about the Happiness Club. It was an outstanding article that helped make people become more aware of happiness.

We just filmed an extraordinary two-hour documentary interview with Dr. Robert Muller and his wife Barbara. Dr. Muller was a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and the author of Most of All They Taught Me Happiness. We were fortunate enough to have the expert direction and creative style of Jon and Derek Van Gorder. Jon runs Van Gorder Studios, Inc in Fairfield, CT. We filmed an interview and are creating a film that we know will positively influence generations to come. The film deals with the importance of happiness and peace for the evolution of mankind. We would like to see "Happiness and Peace" air on PBS. In June of last year a film called "Conversations with Dr. Bernie Siegel, Health and Happiness" under the direction of Jon and Derek Van Gorder was shown on PBS in Connecticut.

Dr. Muller's distinguished career at the United Nations has spanned nearly 40 years. During his tenure with the world body, he contributed significantly to the creation of a number of its specialized agencies. Dr. Muller has written over twenty books and I am so glad that his book, Most of All They Taught Me Happiness will be reprinted in September 2005. It is as important a book as Victor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning.

We are continuing our Happiness Club meetings every month. We have been meeting since January 2000. There are many wonderful people that have taken an active role in our club. The Happiness Club started at the end of the first Happiness Class I had taught at Sacred Heart University in November 1999. The graduating class thought it was important to continue meeting in order to practice happiness and to not forget the principles they had just learned.

The Happiness Club of Niagara Canada in St. Catharines, Ontario celebrated their one-year anniversary. Under the capable direction of Jane Bradley, monthly meetings are presented to the members. Jane has been featured in one of the Canadian newspapers that published an article about the important work she is doing with the Happiness Club.

The California Happiness Club of San Francisco, CA. which started over a year ago is still active after Aymee Coget a Ph.D. student got married and lived in Paris for a short period of time. Now Aymee and Bob Nozik, M.D. the author of the book Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It are holding monthly California Happiness Club meetings and positively affecting all they come in contact with.

You can watch "The Happiness Show," every Monday night, at 9:30 - 10:00 PM. Your co-hosts are Lionel Ketchian and George Ortega. The TV show is broadcast in six towns on Cablevision of Connecticut channel 77. It airs in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Orange, Stratford and Woodbridge. If you know someone in White Plains, New York they can watch "The Happiness Show" on channel 76, every Thursday night from 9:00 - 9:30 PM on Cablevision

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be on Thursday, May 19, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The presentation will be "The Unhappiness Conspiracy!" The meeting 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 step out with joy in your life!

Life is complicated, happiness is simple!

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian
April 27, 2005

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, The Happiness 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 beginning of this newsletter you can read the latest article called: The HAPPINESS REPORT.

Make the most of the best and the least of the worst. - Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Think Smart, Look Smart, Be Smart...Be Happy!

"New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common." - John Locke

Please send me your newsletter. I lived in Fairfield for a period of time. I am now in Georgia, but still have fond thoughts about Connecticut from time to time.

Happ-E-Quote :)

"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should..." - Max Erhmann

Caught a wave while surfing the net and found your shore; a place to flourish & grow. A Happiness Club. I've been hosting a laughter club for nearly five years in a public park. twice a week rain or shine, using Dr. Kataria'a formula, free & early in parks. I heart to laugh. Since I was first trained by Steve Wilson's World Laughter Tour, I have done some for $$, when asked to take it on the road. Steve markets laughter club as businesses (he says it's the American Way)but his annual fees were a drain; as I found out little or none of his fees reached Dr. K, I became a lifetime leader in the Laughter yoga movement....much cheaper for a do-gooders pocket!! A yoga instructor for my local YMCA, a laughter coach, and a hedonist at heart, tis me.

Since I've found out about your happiness clubs I've become inspired to start one here in Hollister, CA. What are the necessary steps to start a Happiness Club, if the first step is being happy, cheerful and willing, I've taken that step, but what is the protocol? I'm devouring your web site, it's great.

Would like to get your talk shows on my local CMAP (community access channel), would it be okay? they are wonderful, so informative. What would be the best path, to becoming a happiness coach? I'm eager to do laughter & happiness for my community. Do you have training for want-a-bees? Or is it just sharing & play, along with all the local marketing, to get'm in? Hope you're looking to have this catch on, cause if you were fishing, I'm hooked!
A Happy Heart for finding U, Robin Pollard

"If I can bring joy into the world...then I'll be successful." - Bobby McFerrin, Musician

"Infinite riches are all around you if you will open your mental eyes and behold the treasure house of infinity within you. There is a gold mine within you from which you can extract everything you need to live life gloriously, joyously, and abundantly." - Joseph Murphy

"Joy is the feeling of grinning inside." - Melba Colgrove, Psychologist

We had the first meeting of our restarted SF Bay Area Happiness Club. It was a great success. Aymee Coget did much of the actual leading of the meeting, she is after all specializing in Leadership. This allows me to just sit back and throw in comments and nuggets as needed. We were allowed a maximum of 15 people and with the usual cancellations and waiting list stuff we ended up with a grand total of 14 hearty, eager souls. We discussed our feelings and ideas about happiness in general and what each person wants from the group.

Everyone, and I mean everyone was an active participant in the discussions. Aymee read Lionel's beautiful welcoming statement and we were all inspired by Lionel's words knowing that we are pioneers in a movement that is at the same time as timeless as human consciousness and fresh as quantum mechanics. The logistics of our next meeting will be even better because moving out of the public library means we won't need to limit the numbers of those who wish to attend nor will we have to smuggle in water/snacks which are forbidden by library policy.

So, the Force has just gotten a little stronger in large part, thanks to you. Much love and happiness and success to you, Bob Nozik, M.D.

"We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves. The consciousness of wrongdoing makes us irritable, and our heart in its cunning quarrels with what is outside it, in order that it may deafen the clamour within." - Henri Amiel

Very best, Julian

"He who forgives ends the quarrel." - African proverb

Wow! How HAPPY I was to read in the NY Times the article re: your Happiness Club! I had no idea the article was to be published and how thrilled I was to see it. How exciting for you, and for all the readers who had an opportunity to read the NEWS! I want to thank you again for your contagious, infectious, and desirous life of happiness. Just listening, reading, and watching you makes all the difference in the world. NOW I just have to get myself to SHOW UP TO REALLY GET IT IN MY BLOOD! Nothing is better than being there!!! Thanks again for all you do...With much gratitude, Alison Buchanan

I'm a work in progress, but if I know in my heart that I'm doing my best, that my heart's in the right place, that I have unconditional love, I feel okay. - Stevie Wonder

THIS STORY FROM BBC NEWS about the medical study of happiness,

underscores the importance of this decision....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4449199.stm

Happy moments 'protect the heart'

Every moment of happiness counts when it comes to protecting your heart, researchers have said. A team from University College London said happiness leads to lower levels of stress-inducing chemicals. They found that even when happier people experienced stress, they had low levels of a chemical which increases the risk of heart disease. The research is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

This shows that people who are happy and unstressed are likely to have less potentially dangerous stress chemicals in their bodies. Professor Peter Weissberg, British Heart Foundation says it showed that those who were happy less often had higher levels of a bloodstream chemical called plasma fibrinogen, which shows there is inflammation present. It is an indicator of how great a risk a person has of developing heart disease in the future.

Daily happiness is important. Researchers tested 116 men and 100 women who were taking part in a major study of thousands of London-based civil servants recruited between 1985 and 1988 when 35-55 years old to investigate the risk factors for coronary heart disease. They carried out tests on people at work, during leisure periods and in the laboratory. People were also asked whether or not they were happy at 33 moments during the day. The researchers then evaluated how often people were happy in the course of the day. Leisure was, unsurprisingly, linked with more happy moments than work.

It was found that some people reported they never felt happy, while others reported feeling occasional happiness and those who felt happy most of the time. The results were adjusted for gender, age, employment status, weight, smoking habits and psychological distress.
Levels of cortisol - a stress hormone - were 32% lower in people who reported more happy moments. Cortisol has been related to abdominal obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune disorders. The researchers also discovered happy people have had lower levels of fibrinogen when they were stressed.

Professor Jane Wardle, who worked on the study, said: "All the research to date has been on unhappiness, rather than happiness. "This research suggests we should aim to maximize the happiness of the population." He added: "What we find particularly interesting is that the associations between happiness and biological responses were independent of psychological distress. "We already know that depression and anxiety are related to increased physical health risk. This study raises the intriguing possibility that the effect of happiness may be somewhat separate."

Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said: "The results of this study build upon this team's work, which we are delighted to have supported.
"Evidence that emotional state is important for good heart health is growing and this shows that people who are happy and unstressed are likely to have less potentially dangerous stress chemicals in their bodies."

Professor Andrew Steptoe, who led the study, said: "It has been suspected for the last few years that happier people are healthier both emotionally,mentally and physically than unhappy people. "What this study shows is that there are plausible biological pathways linking happiness with health."

...."Happiness doesn't just happen to you, like some accident. It's something you choose.
You first have to make the choice to be happy. Happiness is a daily decision."

- Dr. Robert Muller

I enjoyed your latest Happ-E-Newsletter. I just wanted to share with you something that I've been doing with my emails lately more and more — instead of "Best Regards" or "Sincerely" or nothing, I often end with "Be Happy". I thought it would be great if this could be something that more people do. It’s a great opportunity to be reminded on a daily basis that Being Happy is always there as a possibility. Keep up the good work and thank you! Be Happy, Edward Perper, MD

"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself." - Aldous Huxley

Happiness is vital for life. I was reading your web page and it is nice to hear there are people out there who really know the benefits of happiness, laughter, joy, love, and sharing it with others. Please put me on your newsletter, God Bless, Marge Carter

Watch "The Happiness Show," every Monday night, at 9:30 - 10:00 PM. Your co-hosts are Lionel Ketchian and George Ortega. The TV show is broadcast in six towns on Cablevision of Connecticut channel 77. It airs in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Orange, Stratford and Woodbridge. Watch "The Happiness Show," every Thursday night from 9:00 - 9:30 PM on Cablevision in White Plains, New York on channel 76.

We are proud to present, at no charge, over one hundred 28 minute episodes we've taped so far in streaming audio (for 28.8 Kbps+), streaming video (for 56 Kbps+), and Select episodes in broadband streaming video (for DSL, cable, wireless and satellite) Internet connections.

"Positive use of imagery is very important for controlling one's feelings.
A person with a tendency toward sadness is likely to habitually imagine unpleasant scenes. When you find yourself visualizing negative scenes, make a conscious effort to imagine a positive one. Make a list of positive scenes you can focus on. Take a few minutes to actually experience the positive feelings of focusing on those scenes."
- Rabbi Pliskin, Gateway to Happiness, p.181

We look forward to seeing you. Come on down, share the joy and meet some great people!

Meeting :) "The Unhappiness Conspiracy!"

Date :) Thursday, May 19, 2005

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

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

To see a photo taken at one of the meetings of the Happiness Club.

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.

"Unblest is he who thinks himself unblest." - Seneca

Jane Bradley is President and conducts the meetings.

WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on Thursday, May 12, 2005.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE Presented by: DR. JEANNIE CAMPANELLI, Ed. D, CPCC

"THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES AND SHARING, DISCOVER STEPS THAT UNIQUELY FIT YOU AND YOUR SITUATION SO THAT YOU SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE IN A DEEP AND MEANINGFUL WAY. YOUR LEADER IS DR. JEANNIE CAMPANELLI. SHE IS A CERTIFIED COACH WITH A DOCTORATE IN HUMAN DEVLOPMENT AND CHANGE, WHOSE PASSION IS SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS STEPPING INTO THEIR MAGINFICENCE."

Meetings are held at: The Normandy Resource Centre (The Legion),

111, Church Street,

St. Catharines, Ontario.

The time: 700 - 8:30 PM.

This facility is fully accessible. ADMISSION: A smile and always free.

Cheers! Jane

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." - Maya Angelou

Our next Happiness Club meeting

When: Sunday, May 22nd.

Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM.

Where: The San Francisco

No more limits on how many may attend this time. We have a beautiful meeting spot.

Anyone who wishes to attend should e-mail either Aymee or Bob and we'll let them know how to get to the meeting location.

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

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

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.