Happ-E-Newsletter for March 15, 2006

Welcome My Dearest Friend!

Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything and have no regrets. Life's too short to be anything…but happy. - Unknown

The Happiness Club is in the newspaper. Check it out!

Keeping Yourself Happy!

Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m., I turned the TV on channel 5 and sat back to watch and listen to Joel Osteen the pastor of the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, the largest church in the United States with 40,000 people in a weekend. Joel Osteen can be seen via his weekly television broadcast on numerous national cable networks, including Discovery, USA Network, ABC Family and other television networks. Joel can also be seen internationally in over 100 nations.

What I love about Joel Osteen is what I have loved about him for years; he gives you the right advice so you can realize that you can be happy now. He shows you why happiness is very important to you. I have been watching him for years and he consistently delivers a very emotionally intelligent message. He brings religion into his sermon, but only for a few seconds and the sermons are all about inspiring you to become a better, more emotionally mature person. The other amazing thing about his broadcasts is the fact that he never asks for money. In fact, the church has plenty of money and does not need to focus on raising money. Joel starts every sermon with a joke. Than he sometimes says, "I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone. You have so much incredible potential on the inside."

This Sunday he gave his 297th sermon called: "Keeping Yourself Happy." This was a wonderful message and an almost unbelievable talk that made me realize how important happiness is to each one of us. Frankly, I was surprised and elated to hear him talk about the fact that your own happiness comes first. He even admitted that this may sound very selfish, but nevertheless, it is very important to make your happiness come first before anyone else. The truth is that if you don't make your happiness come first you could make yourself feel like a victim. As Joel says, "You can be happy where you are."

Joel talked about the fact that some people are just not happy and you can't be responsible for them. If they do not want to have a positive attitude, you don't have to make them your problem. Your happiness is your responsibility. If people are bringing you down, it is your responsibility, not theirs to fix it. It is your job to let people know that they have crossed the line. It is up to you to tell people how you think they can behave better toward you. Of course you can tell them in a loving, non-confronting way. You don't have to let people bring you down and make you feel unhappy.

Never since Reverend Norman Vincent Peal and his Power of Positive Thinking, have I heard such powerful advice. Pastor Joel Osteen is a pretty darn happy man and his sermons have absolutely no hellfire and brimstone in them. Joel is right on target, when it comes to happiness. He even says: "Happiness is a decision you make." That phrase should sound familiar to the readers of this column. I wrote the words, Happiness is a decision, in my book, Food for Thought in 1988.

Joel Osteen has written the best selling book, Your Best Life Now. I have put his book on my 20 best happiness books list on my website. Joel wrote a great book that has become a national bestseller with over 4 million sold. This is a great book, written with a Christian perspective on life. It is a wonderful book for everyone because chapter 7 is titled, Choose To Be Happy. Joel's book offers a practical and spiritual understanding on happiness. Joel has an amazing ability to understand happiness and emotional intelligence and teach it extremely well.

"Keeping Yourself Happy," is a very important job. Something as important as your happiness needs to have more of your attention so you can really benefit from it. Find out all you can about using happiness in your life so you can enjoy your best life now. As Joel Osteen says, "Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation called: "Gems of Happiness," by Lynette Turner and "Accept, Enjoy & Be Happy" by Lionel Ketchian. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Public Library, in the Rotary Room at 1080 Old Post Road. Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives. Admission is free; everyone is welcome.

BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News - March 8, 2006

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: Keeping Yourself Happy!

"Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed." - Michael Pritchard

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

"No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear." - Edmund Burke

I came across your website while looking up material on Viktor Frankl. I saved the URL immediately, knowing that the subject is of interest to me. I'm in Raleigh NC, and wondering, is their a Happiness Club here? Also, how can I become a happiness facilitator. Thanks, Stephen Middleton

Happ-E-Quote :)

"When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. We all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation - it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams." - Les Brown

Happ-E-Mail :)

"We deal with disappointing and depressing experiences each day of our lives. Rest assured that these difficult times are your opportunity to grow and to learn more advanced strategies in order scale your next mountain more quickly." - Michelle C. Ustaszeski

Michelle C. Ustaszeski is a writer and photographer of inspirational and motivational art. She believes that if you can prematurely feel the emotions of your desired outcome, your reservations have been made and reaching your destination is simply a matter of time.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein

Happ-E-Mail :)
Congratulations to Etta for having the foresight to want to start a Happiness Club in South Florida, in Boca Raton. Way to go Etta! Now we have someone who speaks up and speaks out. I think this is just wonderful. Etta is the kind of person the world needs more of and I am grateful we have her. I think it is great that Etta has posted her information so you can get in touch with her.

A great big heart felt thank you to Etta for making a difference. You are right about the fact that we all need more happiness. It all begins with you! Anyone contacting Etta right now?

"Out of difficulties grow miracles." - Jean de la Bruyere

Life can be a Constant Party

The Torah says the life of someone who has a positive attitude about all that occurs is likened to a life of constant parties. (see Proverbs 15:15) His entire life is full of happiness and joy. Such a person does not need special situations to supply him with happiness. Whatever he does and wherever he is, he finds things to be happy about. He grows constantly from each experience and from each person with whom he comes into contact.

Mastering this attitude requires time and effort, but is a very worthwhile investment. If you want your life to be a constant party…

From Rabbi Pliskin's book: Gateway to Happiness, p.48

Dr. Robert Muller & Barbara Gaughen Muller

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 21 W. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, CA
Sunday, March 19, 2006 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
(Registration begins at 1 p.m., closes at 1:30 p.m.) NO ADMISSION FEE

The United Nations’ legendary Robert Muller maintains with the Dalai Lama that happiness is the purpose of life. With the re-release of Muller’s 1978 classic Most of All They Taught Me Happiness, he and his wife Barbara Gaughen Muller are committed to teaching "why happiness works," how it’s a choice, and that being happy is actually proof that you are living your code of destiny. Learn how DECIDING to be happy even in the most difficult situations contributes to the health and well-being of ourselves, each other and the entire planet.

Co-Sponsors: The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum; Area Agency on Aging; Life Chronicles. Presented by the OMEGA Program of Santa Barbara City College, Continuing Education Division

Happ-E-Mail :)

A poem from, David

Please Be Still

Savor the moment

Be still and open

To the tiny vibrations

To the glow of sunrise

To the fine snowflakes

To the whisper of footsteps

To the beginning of this wonderful day.

"Courage is being scared to death--and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne

Happ-E-Mail :)

"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult... I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking." - Og Mandino

The Art Of Healing by Dr. Bernie Siegel

Bernie will be outlining survivor behavior with a discussion of Humor, Love, Hope & how it all has a role in our life and our health. You will have an opportunity to draw and participate in guided imagery and answer thought provoking questions.

Sunday, April 2nd, 2006, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

For Reservations, contact Keith or Jane Siegel (Wisdom Of The Ages) at: 860-651-1172

Cost is only $45, including the buffet lunch if you register before March 18th and $50 after that date. I have registered and will be attending. Hope to see you there!

The Happiness Show on TV:)

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.

FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING :)

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation called:

"Gems of Happiness," by Lynette Turner and"Accept, Enjoy & Be Happy" by Lionel Ketchian.

Date :) Thursday, March 16, 2006

Time :) 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place :) At the Fairfield Public Library, in the Memorial Room

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

Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives. Everyone is welcome; admission is free. Future meetings at the Fairfield Library will be Thursday, April 13, Thursday, May 18, Thursday, June 15, 2006.

Happ-E-Quote :)

"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it." - Alexander Graham Bell

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT BRIDGE HOUSE HAPPINESS CLUB :)

The Happiness Club at Bridge House has meetings every Tuesday at 12:00 PM for a happy meal and a happy hour!

WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT SMILING SINGLE SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)

Our next meeting is Monday, March 27th, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Westport Public Library at: Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. The Westport Public Library is located along the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut.

Future meetings will be on Mondays as follows:
Monday, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th, July 24th

Smiling Senior Singles is a group for seniors who have found themselves alone. Many people, who live in the area, have found themselves without any family. This can be difficult, so it is important to find friends you can relate to. Meet some wonderful people and start using happiness in your life.

Stacy Enyeart is the group facilitator. Stacy has a background in publishing, advertising, TV producing and is President of the AARP of Westport/Weston Chapter.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA HAPPINESS CLUB MEETING :)

Date: One Sunday a Month

Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Meeting Location: 1485 Church St. Apt #1 SF, CA 94131

(corner of 27th Street in Noe Valley).
You can exit on 24th street BART and walk about 10 – 15 minutes or take the J Church which drops you off right in front of our house. Please RSVP because it helps us prepare. I hope to see you there! Aymee

Bob Nozik, M.D. is the author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It.

Happ-E-Quote :)

"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - Saint Francis

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA HAPPINESS CLUB :)

The Happiness Club Of North Carolina in Wilmington, will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each the month at 7:00 PM. The club will initially be a free one hour discussion/seminar on a topic pertaining to happiness.

Free registration, please call the Village Center at 301-656-2797
Open to all community members that have decided to better their quality of life and be happy. Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services to: Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR OF HAPPINESS :)

Happ-E-Quote :)

"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

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

Happiness is one of the most important things in your life.

Happiness does wonders for your soul. 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.

Practice "Premeditated Happiness," because 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 now take our power back in order to be happy again.

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!

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"Don't let go of the vine." - John Weissmuller, from the film, Tarzan.

"If you are going through hell...keep going." - Winston Churchill

Life is full of opportunities. Go For It! Carpe diem!

Make the Happiness Decision Now!

This can be the best day for the rest of the "Best Of Your Life!"

THAT'S ALL FOLKS...NOW BE HAPPY!

© Copyright 2006, Lionel R. Ketchian, all rights reserved.