Happ-E-Newsletter for June 1, 2007

Welcome My Dear Friend!

"Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

We are happy to announce the new Happiness Club WWW Chapter.

The World's First Internet Voice Discussion Room for Becoming Happier Will Open on Monday, June 4, 2007. It will be open every Monday from 9:00 - 11:00 PM. We have reserved space for you and are looking forward to having you join us. You will be able to listen and you can talk, or you can communicate with text messages on your keyboard.

You may only need the speakers on your computer to listen. If you would like to speak to others in the room, you can buy an inexpensive microphone. A cheap headset will work just like a microphone. You can speak into the headset and listen through your computer speakers.

George Ortega the host of the The Happiness Show on TV and a happiness researcher and promoter, is breaking new ground by setting up the world's first happiness room on Paltalk, the Internet's #1 voice-chat web site. George Ortega and Richard D. Banton, LCSW, of The Happiness Institute in Wilmington, NC and the facilitator of the Wilmington, North Carolina Happiness Club will be the moderators for the meetings. George's goal is to keep the new Paltalk happiness room open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

People worldwide will be joining together to boost their happiness through this new interactive Paltalk voice room. Anyone wanting to become happier will be able to achieve this noble goal by joining the free Happiness Club World Wide Web for training sessions and discussions about happiness.

Advice about downloading the program:

BEING HAPPY, THE BEST MEDICINE!
BE HAPPY ZONE
By Lionel Ketchian

I wrote this article on November 1, 2000
I want to introduce you to an empowering book called Choice Theory, A New Psychology Of Personal Freedom by William Glasser, M.D., a psychiatrist. Do you know what the difference is between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? Both can help you deal with a problem, but only a psychiatrist can prescribe drugs for dealing with a problem. A psychiatrist has the background of a psychologist and is also a medical doctor.

Dr. Glasser states; "As soon as we say, I'm choosing to depress or I am depressing, we are immediately aware it is a choice, and we have gained personal freedom. Such people who choose to depress are not mentally ill; their brain chemistry is not abnormal. It is changed from what it is when they are happy, but that change is perfectly normal behavior, depressing, they are choosing. When we are choosing to depress, our brain chemistry is not the cause of what we feel. It is the usual or expected brain physiology associated with the acting, thinking, and feeling that together make up the total behavior called depressing. For this reason, I believe that the currently accepted explanation that "depression" is caused by an imbalance in our brain chemistry is wrong.

Depressing lowers the brain chemical serotonin; Prozac raises it. A lower level of serotonin is the normal physiology when we choose to depress, and raising the level helps many people who choose to depress feel better. Drugs provide pleasure; they cannot provide happiness. For happiness, you need people."

People learn to depress when they are very young, it may become a habit, and they don't notice it till they get older and get into trouble, or something serious happens to them. For example when an important relationship is not working, they choose to depress.

Dr. Glasser has found that as people become happy their serotonin level goes back up, naturally. I heartily recommend Choice Theory by Dr. Glasser, a psychiatrist working for more than 40 years in the field of psychology. Never once during those years has he ever used brain drugs for his patience, and he still has a very successful career.

In 1998 he began working with the entire City of Corning, New York to adopt the model presented in Choice Theory. No mater how others behave you can only control yourself, a lesson needed by every family member. His books have been used in school programs throughout the county. If you are a teacher, this book will give you many insights to improve your ability to deal with kids.

You never know when you will be faced with the choice to take drugs for yourself, or family members you care about. It is up to you to use common sense to decide what you want to do. Many psychiatrists recommend drugs to patients for depression, some do it ten minutes after meeting their clients.

If people use Prozac or other drugs for chemical support, the hope is they will benefit from the psychotherapy. If a person has a serious non-gratifying relationship, Prozac will give them a lot of pleasure, but it can also be addicting.

Many people are convinced drugs are necessary to help people deal with depression. I am not a doctor, but quite often I have been asked if people that are depressed need drugs for a chemical imbalance. You may be surprised about what is disclosed to you on this subject. You can form your own opinion.

Whatever you feel about pharmacological drugs, I present this to you for your knowledge and benefit. I am not trying to be right, or make others wrong. To make tough decisions, it is important to know what your options are so you can make an intelligent choice. Being aware of all your options is what makes you smart. The more you know, the better your choice will be.

Being happy is the best medicine. This happy state allows your brain to deliver the right drugs, in the right dose, at the right time to you. Your brain produces these serotonin type and other natural drugs for your benefit all the time.

Choose happiness, and you're in the right pharmacy. Free drugs, no waiting, and no prescriptions. You don't even have to remember when to take them; they are automatically dispensed. You will never overdose on this natural energizer.

Those people running early in the morning before the sun comes up can tell you about runners high. When you run the right happiness software, your brain (computer) can run the right program. Being happy as it turns out, is an impressive antidepressant.

Happiness is normal healthy psychological functioning. In a happy state of mind you are going to experience optimum mental health. Being Happy is mental well being. Be smart ... be healthy ... be happy!

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 :) I see trees of green...red roses too, I see em bloom...for me and for you, And I think to myself...what a wonderful world. - Wonderful words from the song: What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Happ-E-Mail :) Hi there Lionel, Your write up on Tal's book was great. I haven't seen the book yet. I look forward to getting it and reading it. His message is so "your message." The choice of happiness. I wish you much joy and everything wonderful and great. Zelig Pliskin

Happ-E-Quote :) "The art of living is always to make a good thing out of a bad thing." - E. F. Schumacher (1911-1977) Economist

Appreciate All You Have Try imagining your life without all that you presently have. If you can master this ability, then you will appreciate what you do have to such a degree that you will live a life of constant joy. If you were lost in a wilderness without food and water - and then found some bread, you would enjoy that bread more than the most sumptuous meal! You will always be able to feel that joy if you use your mind wisely.

Today, spend a few moments imagining what it would be like if you had absolutely nothing: no family, no friends, no possessions, no money at all, no knowledge, no eyes, ears, hands, feet - absolutely nothing. Continue this exercise until you actually feel it. Then do the second half of the exercise: Imagine yourself obtaining what you presently have, one item at a time. From Rabbi Pliskin's book: "Gateway to Happiness," p.46

Happ-E-Quote :) "Other people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." - Margaret Mead (1901-1978) Anthropologist

Happ-E-Quote :) "I never allow myself to be bored, because boredom is aging. If you live in the past you grow old, and dull, and dusty.: - Marie Tempest (1864-1942) Entertainer

Happ-E-Mail :) I just wanted to thank you again for spreading happiness, I love your book Food For Thought, but most of all the quote "Fear is an emotion, An emotion is a thought. Why fear thoughts?" and "All fear is of the future Its the belief in your inability to cope with the next moment." I love those quotes they are so true and relate to me in a way I never thought of. All my fear is in the future and my ability to cope with what happens. I have gotten even better over the last couple of months since I started practicing happiness. If you remember I used to have anxiety. But what I really had was a problem with my thinking, everything is a result of my irrational thinking. Even though I had gotten over anxiety I still did not have any faith in myself now I do. I love to practice happiness and I have also really love mediation. Everything is in the present nothing is in the future except What if. I only have right now! Also your Happiness show is so corny I love it. There is so much content in them you really have to listen. And you are right if you make the decision you can be happy all the time. Life is not what happens it is how you react to it. Rich

Happ-E-Quote :) I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance, Living might mean taking chances, But they're worth taking. - Great words from the song: I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

Happ-E-Mail :) Since I have 'belonged' to the "Happiness Club' and now to Club Happiness E-Club group, I am handling life's lessons a whole lot better, the downs bounce up again, and I look for solutions a lot quicker.....Thanks Audrey

Happ-E-Quote :) "Those who wish to shine always find a song." - Swedish Proverb

Happ-E-Mail :) "HAPPINESS IS NOT OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT IN OURSELVES, IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE SEE, LIKE A RAINBOW, OR FEEL, LIKE THE HEAT OF A FIRE. HAPPINESS IS SOMETHING WE ARE." - John B Sheerin. Here is a quote that someone sent me and I thought you might enjoy it. Hope all is well. Regards, Bill Kennedy

Happ-E-Quote :) "If you haven't attained clear true vision, this causes you to lapse into extremes, so that you lose contact with reality." -- Zen Master Yuawu

Happ-E-Mail :) Just wanted to tell you how well the microphones worked last Thursday night at the Happiness Club meeting!.....I sat all the way in the back and was able to hear everything perfectly --- crystal clear!!!.....And I loved your words on "service" and "happiness" --- you're right on --- that's what it's really all about.....Keep up the great work!.......Kathy

Happ-E-News :) Articles about our Happiness Clubs!

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

CLUB HAPPINESS, E-CLUB :)

FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB :)

MENTORS HAPPINESS CLUB :) Meeting: Monday, June 4, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Fairfield Public Library in the conference room. This meeting is for Happiness Club facilitators in CT.

Maximize Your Happiness Seminars :)

Date :) Wednesday, June 20th

Time :) 6:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place :) At the Fairfield Public Library Memorial Room
Address :) 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

If you are attending this course, please take this assessment:

Have you ever wondered if your thoughts influence your happiness and success? The Six Advisors(tm) assessment report accurately measures your thought processes so you can discover which thoughts are supporting your happiness and success and which thoughts may be sabotaging it.

Use this Code 8FMGRNU843. Warmly, Cynthia

WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT SMILING SINGLE SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next Happiness Club meeting will be a presentation by C.J. Golden the author of the book:

The Tao Of The Defiant Woman. C.J. wrote this book to celebrate the transitions that we all (men, too) face as we go through our lives. This book was done as a self-help project to help her accept this thing we call aging - and in the process changed C.J.'s attitude towards life (and her gray hair and wrinkles).

Date :) Thursday, May 31, 2007
Time :) 6:30- 8:00 P.M.
Place :) 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, May 31, Thursday, June 28, Thursday, July 26, 2007.

NORWALK, CONNECTICUT SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)

Kelsang Shenden, Ph.D. is a Buddhist Kadampa Nun. Kelsang will teach from the book "Eight Steps To Happiness," a series based on showing how we can transform our mind of dissatisfaction and suffering into the perfect wisdom - Compassion and Happiness of a Buddha. This course is designed for everyone including beginners with emphasis on the cessation of painful limitation and the development with freedom and confidence of a vital relationship within ourselves and with others.

Date :) Thursday, June 7, 2007
Time :) 10:00 AM - 12:00 P.M.

Place :) The Norwalk Senior Center

Address :) 11 Allen Road, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Kelsang Shenden, Ph.D., a Buddhist Nun is the group facilitator. We will have future meetings. Admission is free. Please call Debbie Cole at 203 847-3115 Ext: 104, for reservations.

MADISON CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next Happiness Club meeting is a presentation called :"How to Activate the Happiness Habit When Challenged by Adversity" by Melissa Zollo.

STAMFORD,CONNECTICUT TEEN HAPPY CLUB :)
Open to all high school students. Meetings are held twice a month on Saturdays from 11:00 - 12:30 P.M. At the Daniel and Grace Tully & Family Health Center, 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Event Description: Come and participate in an exciting exercise where we will learn the Option Philosophy. The Option Philosophy is a group of observations that we can use to change various aspects of ourselves including our emotions and behaviors. This will be a fun and enlightening experience that just may change your life! It would be beneficial to read the book "To Love is To Be Happy With" by Barry Neil Kaufmann beforehand. It is available free and online. Just google "to love is to be happy with." Also check out our "latest added pages" and "Option Method Resources" when you click on the "About Us" tab to the
left.

Date :) Friday, May 25, 2007

Time :) 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place :) The Happiness Institute Counseling and Wellness Center

Address :) 6336 Oleander Drive Suite #4, Wilmington NC 28403.

Organizer' feature on the Meetup.com website:

VIRTUAL HAPPINESS CLUB :) Join us from your home, on your phone, on the new VIRTUAL HAPPINESS CLUB with Dr. Cynthia Barnett. You can listen and talk with a great happiness teacher each month.

Date: Monday, June 4, 2007
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM, EST in the USA.
Phone number: (712) 775-7000
Your Access Code is: 122856#.

The Virtual Happiness Club is free, just your normal long distance charges apply. The first 90 callers may participate. The Virtual Happiness Club meets the first Monday of each month from 7:00 - 8:00. PM, EST in the USA. Our guest for the next Virtual Happiness Club meeting will be pending his schedule.

New - Virtual Happiness Club - For more information:

New - Club Happiness, an E-Club - For more information:

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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May the good lord be with you, Down every road you roam, And may sunshine and happiness, Surround you when you're far from home. - Words from the song Forever Young by Rod Stewart

"Unhappiness is a form of suffering." Eckhart Tolle. "Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda

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