Happ-E-Newsletter for March 15, 2007

Welcome My Dear Friend!

We can be happy and joy filled when we understand ourselves better. Happiness is self-control as well as self-management. Gil Fronsdal made the following statement: "People who do not see their choices do not believe they have choices. They tend to respond automatically, blindly influenced by their circumstances and conditioning. Mindfulness, by helping us notice our impulses before we act, gives us the opportunity to decide whether to act and how to act." Baruch Spinoza said: "The more joy we have, the more perfect we are."

THE SECRET

There has been quite a bit of talk about the book, The Secret. The book is also available as an audio book on CD and a movie on DVD. Some of the people who wrote parts for The Secret have been seen on Larry King and Oprah. The Secret is a book by Rhonda Byrne. The Secret is all about making one point and that is the Law of Attraction and features many people providing their comments and stories.

What is the law of attraction? I define the law of attraction as being aligned within yourself to draw the very best towards you. Some may call it the law of manifestation. I think that simple faith, which the bible talks about, is exactly what the law of attraction is. What you think about, without getting in the way of, is what you can bring into being. You get to see what you want because you are drawing it toward you, without blocking it with negative thoughts and actions.

The book talks about seeing parking spaces close to the entrance of shopping malls and stores with crowded parking. I have been visualizing great parking spaces for so long they had to create handicapped parking so I would not get the very first space next to the entrance. Now I get the space next to the handicapped space. I am much happier getting this space because I like to see people who need that first space get it or at least have it be available to them.

Every time you say, "what a crowded parking area, I will never find a space here," you prevent yourself from even having a chance of finding a good space. O' you of little faith! Come on, let's lighten up and start thinking a little more positively. Instead of saying to yourself, "I'll believe it when I see it, start telling yourself, "I'll see it when I believe it."

Over the years, the secret has been know by other names as well. For example, the word visualization was used to show how to draw what you wanted toward yourself. A great book on this was called: Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain.

You have probably heard of affirmations as well. Affirmations are a great way to achieve what you want. The best way to do this is to write your thoughts down on paper. You would be surprised how well this works, once you write it down. The process of repeating an affirmation may seem slow at first, but there is a great deal of power in your affirmations, if you do them correctly and consistently.

The main thing to do, whether it is using the law of attraction, of manifestation, of visualization, of affirmation or just plain faith, is to act as though you have received it already. Don't say, "I want to be healthy, I want to be wealthy, I want to be happy." That's not a present moment intention. Instead, you can start saying, I am healthy, I am wealthy, I am happy. The secret is to think and act like you have already received your desire now in this present moment. If you are not experiencing it now, then you are working against yourself, and you are decreasing your odds of having what you want.

I want to make this last and most important point to you. Attracting what you want is a great thing, believe me. Once you have perfected the law of attraction you can use it as a power of giving it out to others. If someone wants something, you can send it to him or her. Happiness is very much this kind of power. Once you have used the law of attraction and are being happy you can give it to others. It seems that this point was not made in the book, The Secret.

It has been said that it is better to give than to receive. Actually, giving and receiving are both important. Maybe you can open both channels for yourself. While you are attracting things you want and need, you can just as easily start giving to others. Seeing others receiving something they need is a joy in itself.

I just got back from the mall because I needed some vitamins. I parked in the space next to the handicapped parking space, which was right next to the entrance. When I came out of the mall, a car with a handicapped tag parked next to me in the handicapped space. Life is perfect and everyone can be happy. What are you attracting into your life?

BE HAPPY ZONE by Lionel Ketchian. Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News on March 7, 2007

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 :) "By wisdom and discrimination, man can learn that happiness is not dependent on external circumstances; rather it is to be found in the simpler joys of life." - Paramahansa Yogananda

Happ-E-Mail :) This is from a Buddhist story: When you have a difficult day repeat these words over and over I find it works and changes your brain chemistry. "Thank you for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever." So you don't need clubs, just that motto. - Dr. Bernie Siegel

Happ-E-Quote :) "The expression of gratitude is a powerful force that generates even more of what we have already received." - Dr. Deepak Chopra

Identify Yourself
Your identity creates you. And you choose your identity. Yes, your childhood, your parent's view of you, the way others have treated you, who you compare yourself with, all have had a part in creating your identity. But it's only because now in the present you have decided to keep the identity you have been influenced to have. And if you haven't made a conscious decision how to view your identity, you are still making a decision, albeit a passive one. You might already view yourself as a happy, joyous person. If so, great. If that's not yet your picture of yourself, it makes sense to start viewing yourself this way now. All you need is one moment of happiness or joy to consider yourself as one. From Rabbi Pliskin's book: Happiness, p.95

Happ-E-Quote :) "The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy." - Florence Shinn

Happ-E-Mail :) Gordon Livingston, MD has lost both of his sons; one to cancer, and the other to suicide. In his book, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, Gordon said the following regarding the loss of a loved one. Gordon Livingston's words: "Those we have lost have evoked in us feelings of love that we didn't know we were capable of. These permanent changes are their legacies, their gifts to us. It is our task to transfer that love to those who still need us. In this way we remain faithful to their memories."

I lost my father in 1992, not a minute goes by that I don't think of him. I miss him terribly. I know he would want to see me happy. His wonderful presence and gentle spirit in life bring me great joy and peace. Please forward this message to the person who lost his wife. Gordon has also written other books regarding the loss of a loved one, perhaps they may help him. Happiness to you today and always. Janet Reilly

Happ-E-Quote :) You will not grow if you sit in a beautiful flower garden, but you will grow if you are sick, in pain, experience losses, and if you do not put your head in the sand, but take the pain and learn to accept it, not as a curse or a punishment but as a gift to you with a very, very specific purpose. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) Psychiatrist

Happ-E-Mail :) I have my home-page set to a motivational website that provides daily reminders to keep positive. This quote is from today's message that is right up our happiness alley. - Regards & happiness. Michelle

"Happiness is now

As long as you are preparing to be happy, you will not be. If you continue to see happiness as some distant goal to be reached, you will not experience it. Happiness is now. The only time you can ever experience it is the moment that you are in. Happiness is unconditional. When you put conditions on happiness, it immediately disappears. Happiness makes no judgments or demands. When you focus on judging others and making demands of them, it drives happiness away from your life. Though happiness is simple and uncomplicated, it is at the same time profound and sophisticated. For when you allow yourself to be truly happy, the positive energy can reach into every corner of your life. Set aside the complaints, excuses, conditions and demands, and make a place for happiness in your world. Be happy, and you'll discover a whole new level of life's richness." - Ralph Marston

Happ-E-Poem :) This poem sent us from our friend David Lazar.

Living the Vision
Not just seeing but doing
Not just doing but also seeing the way
Living a life of greater awareness
Accepting every aspect of life
And ultimately blessing every moment and every step of life. - David

Happ-E-Quote :) "When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives." - Amy Vanderbilt

Happ-E-News :) Some excellent articles on happiness!

FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB :)

Our next Happiness Club meeting will have the presentation called: "Understanding Happiness," with Dr. Leonard J. Waks & Lionel Ketchian. We will be discussing happiness and it's relationship to philosophy and psychology and how that relates to you. Dr. Waks has doctorates in both philosophy and psychology, and taught full time at Purdue, Stanford, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon and Temple universities from 1966 until his retirement in 2005. Dr. Waks maintains an active schedule of speaking and writing. We also have another wonderful presentation by the author of the book: "I Need A Face-Lift, Spiritually Speaking, by Kathleen J. Dolan.

Two wonderful children's books will be given away as door prizes to the happy winners. The book is What's On The Other Side of The Rainbow? (The Secret Of The Golden Mirror) written by Carla Jo Masterson and Illustrated by Omra Jo Fochtman. We thank Carla for her gift to the Happiness Club and her contribution to creating a beautifully illustrated fun book for children to become more comfortable with themselves, understand life and happiness.

WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT SMILING SINGLE SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation by Kathleen J. Dolan the author of the book: "I Need A Face-Lift, Spiritually Speaking," Kathleen will vitalize you with her thirty-one day, Magnify Your Inner Beauty, step-by-step Guide.

Date :) Thursday, March 29, 2006
Time :) 6:30- 8:00 P.M.
Place :) At at the Westport Senior Center

Address :) 21 Imperial Ave. Westport CT 06880.

Admission is free and the meetings are for people single and over 50 years old. Meet some wonderful people using happiness in their lives. Stay happy and healthy - get well connected. Stacy Enyeart is the group facilitator. Future meetings will be held on Thursday, April 26, Thursday, May 31, Thursday, June 28, Thursday, July 26, 2007.

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next meeting will be on Friday, March 23, 2007 PM. This month's topic of discussion is "Can People Choose to Be Happy?" If so, under what circumstances? Be sure to bring an open mind to this discussion! It could change your life. Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks are provided. We now have nearly thirty members signed up for the Wilmington Happiness Club! I encourage you all to make your vision of this group a reality. How can you do that? Be proactive! Attend meetings and share your thoughts, ideas, and creativity. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Happiness Institute this month! We are meeting at the Happiness Institute, 6336 Oleander Drive Suite #4, Wilmington NC 28403.

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. 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. We mistakenly think that doing this will make us happy. The truth is that we have given others power over ourselves. We can now consciously reclaim our power and experience happiness. Happiness does wonders for your soul. Now is the time to learn to use happiness for dealing with challenges and difficult people so you can empower your life. 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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