"The remarkable thing we have is 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." - Charles Swindoll

What are the top 10 things that are most important to you? At the time, when I did this list, I ended up finding happiness. That is because I went further, reducing the list to the one most important thing.

What will you find on your list of top 10 important things? Who can tell, only you will know? That is if you take the time to write your 10 most important things on a piece of paper. It may not sound like much of an assignment, but you may never know how powerful it is unless you do it. Why not give it a try? You may have much insight to gain.

Below is a letter I received from one of my students, who was attending my course on Happiness, which was being given at Sacred Heart University at the time.

April 12, 2001

Thank you Lionel,

Thank you for making happiness your crusade. All should hear the message you share, there is nothing goofy or silly about it. Nay Sayers should stop and think, next Fridays paycheck is important, however, the things it will buy are not happiness, they are just things. As you say, "happiness is not conditional".

Each person should take a little time to review the conditions they put on happiness. Your class on Happiness and personal power and success has helped me in my quest to answer that big question: "What am I working for?"

Your assignment to list the ten most important things to me was even more appropriate than you could have imagined. I was given this assignment in Humanities class when I was a senior in High School. You have given me a chance to correct an error I made twenty-nine years ago. I just wish Mr. Strauss were here to hear about it…

I matter, I matter to me. It's not important what anyone else thinks; it's what I feel about myself that makes me happy.

The list of ten most important things to me consists of...
I matter
I don't hurt anyone on the way
Today matters
Giving my best effort, facing the tasks at hand
Realizing what I cannot do, and admitting it
Working with my heart, with honesty and compassion
Caring for those that care for me
Accepting those that don't
Admitting my faults, with sincerity, acknowledging the failures I have committed
Making each day count

This is all that matters, nobody, no money, no job, no toy; it is the moment and each day that counts. Each day is the only day; each day is special and unique. Give thanks for each sunrise, for color, for speech, for greetings in friendship, for gifts given and received in love and caring.

Happiness is not out there; it is not in the future or the past. Happiness is right now, it is in self-satisfaction and no one else is responsible for providing it to you. Happiness can be done everywhere, it is not a private thing, and it is a gift we can share! Find peace and share it. It is a smile, a joke, or a moment in sorrow with someone who needs it. This is happiness, being available, in life right now!

Thank you Lionel for making happiness important. Finding happiness is smiling from the heart. Jim Comstock

Jim has been coming to Happiness Club meetings for over five years. Jim has introduced many people to the club and he continues to attend meetings. As a person who understands happiness, Jim wants others to experience being happy as well. For this reason Jim has chosen to share his list with you.

Thank you Jim Comstock for your outstanding contributions in making this world a happier place.

What are the top 10 most important things for you? Get out the paper and pen and you might find the most important things in your life. Your list may include money, love, security, health, family, God and peace, just to name a few. What's important to you?

BE HAPPY ZONE by Lionel Ketchian

Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News - June 28, 2006

Life is complicated, happiness is simple!

LIVE RICHLY...PRACTICE HAPPINESS!

Everything we do in life is for the purpose of obtaining happiness!

Happiness Empowerment to You!

Reminding you to make the "Happiness Decision."

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

Sharing Love, Peace and Happiness with you,
Lionel Ketchian

Happ-E-Quote :)
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." - Martin Luther

Happ-E-Mail :)
My fiance and I had such a wonderful time at the last Happiness Club Meeting! Thank you for your welcome and for the beautiful simplicity of your message. I have been interested in happiness since 2003 and have been soaking up all of the information about happiness that I can get ever since! Your meeting was very life affirming and the happiness in their air was tangible! I cannot wait to bring more family and friends to bear witness to the best club in Fairfield.

I am actually interested in writing an article for the Fairfield Mirror in order to attract more young people to the arena of happiness/healing that is constantly growing with the surging mental, spiritual, physical health movement. Again, the meeting was so appreciated.

All of my respect and admiration, Mary A. Patrikios, Class of 2007 at Fairfield University

Happ-E-Quote :)
To write and to speak are a foremost part of life, an expansion and observation of life, a two-way process of learning, teaching, communicating and contributing to human progress and happiness. Therefore, do not become a writer or speaker for writing’s or speaking’s sake, but as a means of fulfilling yourself and bringing happiness, joy and goodness to others. - Dr. Robert Muller

Happ-E-Poem :)
Our friend David sent us this poem.

Soul Talk
Connect deeply and eternally
Connect with joy and happiness
I found my soul
Oops it was never gone
Only covered with stray thoughts and loud voices.

Happ-E-Quote :)
"Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy." - Og Mandino

Considering yourself important is an essential mindset. Feeling good about yourself is a basic human need. Knowing your inner strengths and positive qualities enables you to use them again and again. Acknowledging your past accomplishments and achievements gives you a happier life and enables you to continue to accomplish and achieve much more.

Your self-image creates the quality of your life. As you build your own self-image, you will have a greater positive influence on the self-image of others. It takes an entire lifetime to live one’s life. Building your self-image is a lifelong process. Throughout your life there will be factors and events that build your self-image, while other experiences do the opposite. The positive and elevated thoughts, words, and actions that you think, say, and do are all part of the process of building your self-image.

From Rabbi Pliskin's new book: Building Your Self- image and the Self-image of Others

"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt

From Phyllis Freeman, MS

Lives based on having are less free than lives based on doing or being. - E.Y. Harburg

06/04/2006

... meditating on compassion when his brain was scanned, nearly soared off the chart of positive emotions - he had the highest level of happiness ever documented. ...

Happ-E-Quote :)
Your integrity will affect your destiny; don't leave home without it. - Clarence E. Hodges

Happ-E-Quote :)
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." - M. Kathleen Casey

The Happiness Show on TV:)
"The Happiness Show," is on every Monday night, from 9:30 - 10:00 PM. Your co-hosts are Lionel Ketchian and George Ortega. Cablevision of Connecticut broadcasts the TV show on channel 77. Airs in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Orange, Stratford & Woodbridge.

Happ-E-Quote :)
"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." - Chinese Epigram

"Learned Optimism: The Key to a Happier Life," by Dr. Cynthia Barnett

Why learn Optimism? People who are optimistic live longer, healthier, happier lives and achieve more. Furthermore, studies show that optimism is a skill that can be taught and learned.

Date :) Thursday, July 20, 2006

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

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

Everyone is welcome; admission is free.

Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives.

Future meetings at the Fairfield Library will be:

August 17, Thursday, September 21, 2006.

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

(diagonally across the street from the movie theatre)

I-95 Northbound Exit 21: 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 Rd. Left at bottom of ramp. Under railroad overpass make right at light (Post Rd.), 1/2 mile on left at the corner.

The Happiness Club at Bridge House meets every Tuesday from 12:00 - 1:00 PM for a happy meal and a happy hour meeting!

Bridge House is located at 880 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 and 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 just celebrated their 20th year of helping it's members realize their potential as valued members of the community.

Our next meeting is Monday, July 24th

Time 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Westport Public Library. Located at: Arnold Bernhard Plaza, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Library is located along the Saugatuck River in Westport.

Future meetings once a month.

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.

"I don't know what the big deal is about old age. Old people who shine from the inside look 10 to 20 years younger." - Dolly Parton

Date: One Sunday per month. Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

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

Our meetings are held from 10:30 - 12:00 Noon. Call for dates.

We meet at the Lafayette Senior Center, 500 St. Mary's Road.

Robert Nozik, M.D with co-hosts Mei Sun Li and Alysa Anderson

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 July 25th. The club will initially be a free one hour discussion/seminar on a topic pertaining to happiness.

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 is never sold or given to anyone. You can smile about that!

If you no longer wish to receive this Happ-E-Newsletter, reply with "Remove" in the subject line.

"Unhappiness is a form of suffering." Eckhart Tolle

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

Make the Happiness Decision Now!

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