"How to gain, how to keep,

how to recover happiness is in fact,

for most people, at all times,

the secret motive for all they do."

- William James

The more lonely people were, the higher their blood pressure was, with readings as much as 30 points higher than those who weren't lonely. This statistic suggest that loneliness can be as bad for the heart as being overweight or inactive, researchers said. This "loneliness effect" was most pronounced among the oldest people in this study of 229 Chicago-area men and women between the ages of 50 to 68. The escalation of the problem with age, gives a further reason to consider those age 70 and over at the very highest risk.

This study is the first to demonstrate that loneliness, much like obesity and lack of exercise, can result in higher blood pressure. John T. Cacioppo and Louise C. Hawkley are authors of the paper, "Loneliness is a Unique Predictor of Age-Related Differences in Systolic Blood Pressure," published in the journal Psychology and Aging on March 28th.

The research team also examined data on weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, blood pressure medications, and demographic characteristics. The researchers found that people who rated high on being lonely had a significantly higher blood pressure than non-lonely people with similar profiles on the other measures. Louise Hawkley said the next step for researchers is to better understand how loneliness boosts blood pressure. She said the body seems to respond to loneliness much like it does to being threatened, "increasing blood pressure and creating a lot of wear and tear on the inside of the blood vessels."

"By these standards, improvements in a sense of social connectedness may have clinical benefits comparable to lifestyle modifications," the authors wrote. Hawkley said the findings hint that one strategy for treating high blood pressure might be to get more involved, "do volunteer work, make yourself useful."

According to researchers, this latest study underscores the health advantages of friends and family. Previous research has shown a link between loneliness and increased symptoms of depression, stress-hormone levels and blood-vessel problems.

With earlier research suggesting that more than 11 million Americans over 50 often feel isolated, left out or lacking companionship, the study could have substantial public health implications if it can be shown that reducing loneliness can lower people's blood pressure, said Richard Suzman, director of a behavioral research program at the National Institute on Aging, which helped fund the study.

The research "says something about the importance of a social connection in our everyday lives," said John Cacioppo, a psychology professor who works with Louise Hawkley at the university's cognitive and social neuroscience center. "Part of living a healthy life is paying attention to friends and family."

Last year, Harvard research found a link between loneliness in men with increased blood levels of inflammatory markers associated with heart disease and loneliness. A study at Duke University found an increased risk of death in socially isolated patients with heart disease.

We now have Senior Happiness Clubs from coast to coast. On the West Coast, Bob Nozik, M.D. who is the author of Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It, will start another Senior Happiness Club. Dr. Nozik said, "We don't have a group name yet for our new Happiness Club. Those who attend the first meeting will come up with a name. We'll meet once a month and I'll be co-leading the group with Mei Sun Li and Diane Wilt, both of whom run the Lafayette Senior group for the city of Lafayette which is located 20 miles east of San Francisco, CA.

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, April 27th from 10:30 to 12:00 noon at the Lafayette Senior Center. It is open to all seniors and anyone else who wants to come. At our first meeting, we'll delve into a brief history of Happiness Clubs, how this one may be run, who might attend, and potential activities and formats for the future. We'll discuss topic ideas for future meetings and then, as time permits, perhaps do a little gratitude talk and exercise. We may even have attendees take my short happiness questionnaire."

On the East Coast, Kathy J. Ward, MA is our Ambassador of Happiness for Elders and is President of WEL, World Elder Land. Kathy is the author of Journal For A Better Life, and has meetings every week for community members that have decided to better their quality of life and be happy in the Chevy Chase, MD area.

Here in Connecticut, our next Smiling Single Seniors Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation called: "Happiness Connections," by Lionel Ketchian. The meeting will be on Monday, April 24th, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Westport Public Library at: Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Stacy Enyeart is the group facilitator. Admission is free, for further information call Lionel Ketchian at 203 258-7777. Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives. Stay happy and healthy - get well connected.

BE HAPPY ZONE by Lionel Ketchian

Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News - April 5, 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!

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have." - Eckhart Tolle

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

"Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy." - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Posted on our blog:

Great Newsletter, especially your 'sermon'. I love how you clearly differentiate the contentment aspect of happiness from its pleasure component. They are both happiness, but different. I agree with you that the contentment part, that which comes from within you, is the most important. The pleasure part, which is delicious to experience, nevertheless, is dependent upon sources outside of ourselves and as such is out of our control. Still, at least in our culture, this outer part is all most of us ever go for. How ironic! The truly important part, inner contentment, is totally within our control; we need nothing but our own inner processes to achieve it. Anyway, thanks for so elegantly raising and discussing what is arguably the most important issue that could lead almost all of us directly to deep, inner contentment. Love and happiness to you, brother. - Bob Nozik, M.D.

"The perfection of wisdom, and the end of true philosophy is to proportion our wants to our possessions, our ambitions to our capacities, we will then be a happy and a virtuous people." - Mark Twain

Our friend David sent us this poem he wrote:

Forgiveness
More and each day
Letting go of just one bit more
And then perhaps another
And then more acceptance of others
And then more acceptance of self
And then when it's tough more forgives's
And then when it's still tough more acceptance
of life exactly the way it is.

Happ-E-Quote :)

"Lack of forgiveness causes almost all of our self-sabotaging behavior." - Mark Victor Hansen

I am so glad I found the Happiness Club and now know there are Happy single people out there too! I am taking a course with Dr. Richard Ellis at Norwalk Community College and I told him about my quote too.

I do enough
I am enough
I have enough

It really helps to remember that little saying because of the area we live in here, in Fairfield, CT, where everyone has so much-including angst! Last nights Happiness Club meeting reminded me of a poster I had once that said "if you see someone without a smile give them one of yours". I loved the meeting and look forward to attending on a regular basis. Ruth Anne Ramsey

"When we cannot find CONTENTMENT in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." -Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Work happy, work hard: Employee happiness often the key to company's productivity.

By Tiffany St. Martin, Herald Staff Writer

There's a simple equation in place for business executives: Employees plus good spirits equals productivity.

"When an individual is happy, they will do things willingly. When they do things willingly, they generally do them well," said Ron Hamilton, chief consultant of Practical Human Resources Solutions in Bradenton.

Profits don't drive happiness in companies, but happiness drives profits. That's what Cathy Greenberg and her co-authors found while researching their book "What Happy Companies Know: How the New Science of Happiness Can Change Your Company for the Better."
Happ-E-Quote :)

"You are always a valuable, worthwhile human being, not because anybody says so, not because you're successful, not because you make a lot of money, but because you decide to believe it and for no other reason." - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Happiness: An illusory term by PS Prakasa Rao

Published in the Central Chronicle, Thursday March 30, 2006

Happiness and contentment in life are dependent more on interests than assets. And one thing is clear money brings material comfort but not necessarily spiritual satisfaction. Happiness is to live content with small means and only the just man enjoys peace of mind. Be happy with what you are and what you have. One may safely conclude, happiness is more of a mental state and to attain it one must cultivate some habits, attitudes and values. Several factors contribute to our happiness and quality of life.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." - Albert Einstein

Happ-E-News :)
Happiness is about liking what you already have. By Dr. RICHARD CARLSON

Published in the Pioneer Press Wed, Apr. 05, 2006

Read the entire article

Q. How does one become happy?
A. I love this question. One of my favorite cartoons, which sits on my desk, says, "Happiness depends not so much on what you have, but on how much you enjoy what you already have."

"I look back on my life like a good day's work--it was done and I am satisfied with it. I was happy and contented; I knew nothing better and made the best out of what life offered." - Grandma (Anna Mary) Moses (1860-1961) Painter

Steer Clear Of Past Problems
Avoid asking irrelevant questions about the past that will be annoying to others. If someone keeps complaining to you about the past, ask him, "What can presently be done about it? If nothing, isn't it better to focus on other things?" If the other person persists on talking about the past, weigh the situation. At times you might be doing someone an act of kindness by listening to him. In other circumstances you are better off ignoring statements about the past and thus teaching the other person it is not worthwhile to discuss with you something which is over and done with.

From Rabbi Pliskin's book: Gateway to Happiness, p.148

Present Tests
The past is only memories.
The future is but illusory hopes.
Focus on the present. For that is where your life really is. And it consists only of tests.

From Rabbi Pliskin's book: Gateway to Happiness, p.144

You now get a chance to find out - to make a change, to smile and create the intention to experience joy, to be happy, to smile, to bring joy to your life and the lives around you, starting with passing this email to people in your life you want to share a smile with… or not, if it makes you happy!

Emotion is Contagious, Be Fearless – Choose Joy!
www.worldhappyface.org

Happ-E-Quote :)

"A reaction is automatic; it is built-in. Somebody smiles; you smile. Somebody is angry; you become angry. The other creates it; you simply react. A response is conscious. The other may be angry, but you decide whether to be angry or not." - OSHO

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.

Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation called:

"Don't Miss This Meeting" presenting a Special Guest.

You have to come to the meeting to find out who it is!

Date :) Thursday, May 18, 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, May 18, Thursday, June 15, Thursday, July 20, 2006.

"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." - Ashley Montagu

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

Bridge House is a Clubhouse which is modeled on the Fountain House model of psychiatric rehabilitation. The men and women who attend assist with the running of the program, which helps to restore their sense of purpose,dignity and self worth. The members also work at part time jobs, with staff providing intensive supports. New employers are always welcome! In addition,case management, social events, residential supports, and educational opportunities are provided. The program is open 365 days a year, and is about to celebrate their 20th year of helping it's members to realize their potential as valued members of the community.

Our next meeting is Monday, April 24th,, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Westport Public Library. Located 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, 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.

Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

This month we only have room for 10 people.

Let me know ASAP, so we can reserve a seat for you.

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.

Our special guest is Dr. Rhonda Hull who is coming all the way from Washington to talk to you about three essential keys for how to Drive Yourself Happy...

C = Choice-ability
A = Account-ability
R = Response-ability

Dr. Rhonda Hull is the author of DRIVE YOURSELF HAPPY. She is here to share her insights and strategies for stress management, personal excellence, work/life balance, and the art of being happy regardless of your circumstances. Using car analogies and motor-vational metaphors, she transforms an experience as familiar as being in a car into a meaningful, memorable and light-hearted personal growth adventure even for a devoted pedestrian.
Her dad was a 'car guy' who had her in a motorized vehicle by the age of 3 1/2. She rode dirt bikes as a teen. More recently she has been known to bungee-jump, skydive, is a roller-coaster enthusiast, and on occasion she can be found racing vintage cars.
Rhonda is here to offer new ‘rules for the road’ of life and to remind us how to put spark in our plugs, recharge our battery, and choose the scenic route whenever possible.

Wishing you happiness! Aymee and Bob

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

The Happiness Club Of North Carolina in Wilmington meets on the last Tuesday of each the month at 7:00 PM. The next meeting is April 25th. 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

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.

Don't give away your power by being unhappy! 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. 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.

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.

"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!"

If you're not happy by now, it's time to have a talk with yourself.

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