Robert F. Kennedy said: "Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others. . . they send forth a ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

Dear Lionel, I would like to know what you think people need to be happy for the long and the short term. How can we increase our happiness and what makes us happy. I guess I need to know what makes someone unhappy, and what recommendations you give to people to help them with their "unhappiness," as such.

Also, what are the benefits of being happy? How can being happy effect out life style, and life in general. I know that these questions sound a bit as though they are something that I should already know from life, but I am finding it hard to find a complete set of things that effect our happiness. If you could answer these questions, it would really help me. Thanks, Luke Modlamayr

Dear Luke, Let's start with your question about what people need to be happy. We don't need anything to be happy. It would really help to want what we have for now in order to be happy. As soon as we don't want what we have, we become unhappy. You can stop thinking of things in terms of long and short term and start thinking in terms of what do I do now! If you are not focused on this moment, you are missing an opportunity to experience happiness. You can't find happiness in the future. You must become aware of it within yourself right now in whatever situation you are experiencing in this moment.

We can increase our happiness by deciding to focus on happiness and choosing only happiness in each moment. Luke, I want you to know that nothing can make you happy and nothing can make you unhappy. It is just a decision that you make. When you tell yourself bad things are happening to you than you will experience unhappiness. If you look at events that happen in a detached state then you can remain happy and mentally well balanced and than choose what you will do about the event. This way you have remained calm and peaceful and can access the best solution available to you at this time.

The person that allows his or her thinking to dictate how they will feel will actually allow everything to make them unhappy. Even the good things will make them unhappy because their thinking will make them wonder when these good things will come to an end or are they too good to last? My recommendation to help people with their "unhappiness" is to make the decision to be happy, and do not choose unhappiness.

There are too many benefits of being happy to list them in this article. I can tell you that it will give you optimal mental health, better physical health, it can even positively affect your wealth. It will make you a friendlier person, more attractive to other people in every way imaginable. As far as happiness affecting life, being happy can actually create a more peaceful world. Once people start getting in touch with happiness they let go of their fear. The happier you are, the more confident you become and the more self-confident you feel and behave. Happiness affects your presence when you are with others, even before you say anything. People sense your positive nature and react with more favorable responses to you.

Luke, you say that these questions sound a bit as though they are something that you should already know. Believe me, most people do not know that happiness can help them cope with life's problems and actually create exceptional success for them. We all have to learn that happiness is an inside job. Happiness is not about your circumstances, your job, your life or anything else you may imagine. Happiness is an inner state of mind that can be reached by gently accepting where you are now. It really helps to be grateful for everything you have right this second. It is important to let go of judgements and practice forgiveness for your own benefit.

The real reason to practice being happy is so you can function better. You could say that being happy allows you to stop hurting yourself. The biggest reason to be happy is to stop your own suffering. Life can be hard, why make it harder? Happiness is a gift, but it only works if you accept it and use it. The most important thing you can do is to practice happiness every day and in every moment of your life. You will want to learn more about happiness. Thankfully, we are living in a time when there are many great books available to us.

I think it is wonderful that you are searching for answers to the benefits of happiness. Congratulations and keep up the good work. Small steps are what success is all about. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Today is a new day and you can live it with happiness. Once you do this, you begin to use the gift of happiness for yourself and you will find that you will want to share it with everyone you meet.

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News August 17, 2005

Life is complicated, happiness is simple!

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 thing that matters is not what you bear, but how you bear it." - Seneca

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

The Art of Happiness, A Handbook for Living

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler

"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…"

Sent to us from Dyanne Marie Routh

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Your message has brought joy into my heart today. I find your philosophy sound and peaceful. As you know my endeavors for world peace is still in its infancy but I find your newsletter comforting and encouraging. Thank you for keeping me on your email list. May God's light and Love bless your work. - The Traveler

Happiness is a choice you make, ... I consciously do something to try to restore happiness. Happiness does not happen by chance, but by choice.

Happiness is a choice you make
By Marie Snider

El Dorado Times - El Dorado, KS, USA

Mostly, I'm an upbeat and happy person. But it takes work to stay that way. My mother taught me a lesson - if she became depressed, she baked cookies, even if it was the middle of the night. I've always felt that was the reason she gave us so many delicious Special-K cookies, brownies and oatmeal cookies late in her life. But that wouldn't work for me. Baking too many cookies would cause depression, not cure it. When I'm down in the mouth, I often turn to my computer and play some bridge or solitaire. Alternately, I call someone for coffee and store-bought cookies or take a drive with my daughter. I consciously do something to try to restore happiness. Happiness does not happen by chance, but by choice. Not that it's always easy, but it's up to us to try to create happiness if we want it.

In their book "How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People, Their Secrets, Their Stories," Rick Foster and Greg Hicks explore what it takes to be happy.
Foster and Hicks interviewed 1,000 extremely happy people from all walks of life - housewives, musicians, corporate executives, cafeteria workers. They chose their subjects by asking people the question: "Who is the happiest person you know?" It seemed that everyone knew at least one person who was extremely happy. Then, they asked the people who others had identified as happy about their own feelings of happiness. They did this because in the scientific literature "self-determination is regarded as the single most accurate means of determining if someone is truly happy."

Several commonalities emerged as Foster and Hicks interviewed these individuals. By making nine conscious choices that work together in mind and body, happy individuals create feelings of joy. Thus, the subtitle "9 Choices of Extremely Happy People." The first of the choices is "Intention." Intention is the active desire and commitment to be happy. If you want to be happy, you have to consciously choose happiness over unhappiness. It won't come by chance.

The second choice is "Accountability." Happy people take full responsibility for creating the lives they want to live. If you want to be happy you must take responsibility for your actions, thoughts and feelings. And never blame others for your own unhappiness. These two things - the intention to be happy and accountability for your own happiness - are the basic foundation of happiness. Building on that foundation, the "extremely happy people" in Foster and Hicks study made other healthy choices.

They chose to focus their lives on the dreams, people and activities that create happiness. They chose to convert problems into opportunities and challenges. They chose to see the options in life and stay open to new possibilities. They chose to deeply appreciate their lives, to enjoy giving without expecting something in return and to be honest with themselves and others.

Everybody wants to be happy. But always remember, happiness doesn't come from the perfect house or a perfect spouse. It doesn't come from an education or a good job or retirement. It doesn't come from having lots of friends or owning a new car.
Happiness is a choice. Have you made that choice?

"It takes two to make a quarrel but only one to end it." - Nicaraguan Proverb

Dear Mr. Ketchian, I just by chance Goggled my dad's name and came across this article that you wrote. there was only a small paragraph about your chance meeting with my dad. Just so you know my dad Gus Maiden passed away this past February and reading just those few words of kindness meant all the world to me. Thank you for bringing my dad back to me for a few short seconds. Thank you! Sincerely, Kimberly Jacovino

My Dear Kimberly, Your e-mail really touches my heart. Your dad was a really friendly and nice human being. My wife had bought some shoes in his store some years ago. When I would pass his store, Gus would be at the door and he would wave and express a friendly hello, how are you? It is people like Gus who are never forgotten. He did much more than sell shoes, he mended souls.

Just a few words from Gus and you felt connected to someone who really cared about you. I think it is amazing that my connection to Gus lives on even now that he is no longer here.
Gus was a person that I will never forget because of how he made me feel. My wife wants me to tell you how wonderful Gus was as well and extends her sympathies to you.

If you ever feel like coming to one of our Happiness Club meetings, I would love to meet you. We one each month at the Fairfield Public Library right around the corner from where your dad had his store. I will be the one in the smiley face tie. Hope to meet you! Thanks for writing to me! By the way my daughter's name is Kimberly too!

Sharing Love, Peace and Happiness with you, Lionel Ketchian

Happ-E-Quote :)

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller

"Choose well: Your choice is brief and yet endless." - Ella Winter (1898-1980) Journalist

Your discussion for guaranteed happiness, despite the double negative, is right on. Deciding not to choose unhappiness every time is a great way to do it. After all, most people don't really know happiness, at least not from the inside out but they certainly do know unhappiness. So, while choosing happiness is the most direct route, to some extent this choice requires that one know happiness, at least enough to choose it. But everyone knows unhappiness so it's perhaps more realistic for them to not choose unhappiness. As you say, not necessarily easy, but it will certainly work and the choice will be clear.

I am planning my October trip to see my mom in Florida, my good friend in Maine, and my brother in Boston. I'd love to attend your October 20th meeting in Fairfield and will try to build that into my itinerary. Be healthy and happy, With love, happiness, and best wishes!
Your partner in happiness, Dr. Bob Nozik

"Bad thoughts are worse enemies than lions and tigers; for we can keep out of the way of wild beasts, but bad thoughts win their way everywhere. The cup that is full will hold no more; keep your hearts full of good thoughts, that bad thoughts may find no room to enter." - Author unknown

From David, a past member of the CT Happiness Club now in Florida.

This is just too weird. You just posted this quote in your latest newsletter: "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." - Charles Swindoll. And then tonight, I just got home, and one of the members of this group I belong to posted the following quote: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the
attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react
to it. And so it is with you -- we are in charge of our Attitude."

How odd is that? I think somebody is telling me something!

"Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." - Pearl Strachan

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.

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation called:

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation by international documentary photographer Daryl Hawk who will present a slide show and lecture entitled: "The Last Shangri-La." Hawk will share his nonstop, day-to-day adventures, experiences, discoveries, and valuable lessons he learned on this incredibly spiritual journey through this last Shangri-La in which the national motto is "gross national happiness." This past November Mr. Hawk spent a month alone traversing from west to east thought the mythical and medieval kingdom of Bhutan, which is hidden, high away in the Himalayas. Photographs of dramatic and rarely ever seen before landscapes, stunning Buddhist monasteries and fortresses, ancient secret religious ceremonies and festivals, the King’s birthday celebration and the lifestyles of the people who inhabit this kingdom will all be highlighted in this presentation.

Date :) Thursday, September 15, 2005

Time :) 7:00 - 8:45 P.M.
Place :) Fairfield Public Library, in the new Rotary Room

Address :) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

Admission is free; everyone is welcome.

Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives.

Directions to Fairfield Public Library
1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

(diagonally across the street from the movie theatre)

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.

I-95 Southbound Exit 22:

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 :)

"It is vital that people "count their blessings" to appreciate what they possess without having to undergo its actual loss." - Abraham Maslow

Jane Bradley is President and conducts the meetings.

No meetings for July & August.
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

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within." - Horace Friess

Hello Happiness Club and those who are interested!

I am happy to announce our next meeting is focused on "Happiness in Action!" We will be gathering in Dolores Park (corner of Dolores and 20th near the circle of palm trees) on Sunday, August 28th from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. Our topic of this month’s happiness club is Random Acts of Kindness. Since we are action focused this month please come on time so you can fully participate in the festivities and wear comfortable shoes.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to email me.

Please RSVP because it helps Aymee & Bob prepare.

Meetings are free, hope to see you! Thank you!

Happily, Aymee

p.s. Did you know there is a Random Acts of Kindness Foundation?

Happiness is one of the most important things in your life. 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. Happiness does wonders for your soul. Practice "Premeditated Happiness." Happiness is an issue of power. We give our power to others for many reasons, and we think that they will make us happy. The truth is that we have given others power over ourselves. We can take our power back in order to be happy again. Now is the time to learn to use happiness in dealing with challenges and difficult people in your life so you can develop the strength to prevail. Reading this newsletter will not just make your life better; it will make the world a better place...because you have decided to be happy!

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.

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

"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.