Happ-E-Newsletter for January 1, 2008

Welcome My Dear Friend!

A Happy and Healthy New Year to You!

In the words of Abraham Hicks: "We are not here to debate the rightness or the wrongness of what you, or anyone, chooses. We are not taking sides, for or against, anything. We are here to help you understand that your life can be as wonderful or as horrible as you allow it to be. It all depends upon the thoughts that you practice. And therein lies the basis of anyone's success: How much do I practice thoughts that bring me joy, and how much do I practice thoughts that bring me pain?"

The New Haven Magazine will have an article about the Happiness Clubs, written by Joyce L Faiola in the January 2, 2008 issue.

"Our society is founded on a very limited definition of power, namely wealth, professional success, fame, physical strength, military might, and political control. My dear friends, I suggest that there is another kind of power, a greater power: the power to be happy right in the present moment, free from addiction, fear, despair, discrimination, anger, and ignorance. This power is the birthright of every human being, whether celebrated or unknown, rich or poor, strong or weak" - From Thich Nhat Hanh's new book: The Art of Power

HAPPINESS PERSPECTIVE

I am writing these words while I am flying higher than a kite. There are two reasons for this. The first is that I am happy and the second is that I am flying at 32,000 feet in an airplane. When you are in a plane, everything looks small. This is because you have a larger view and a greater perspective of things. Your perspective has changed and things don't look as big once you have put some distance between them. This is also true of our problems when we use the practice of happiness and the discipline of perspective.

Just like looking out of an airplane at the ground below, happiness gives you the perspective to distance yourself from the problems you have at the moment. Happiness perspective gives you a chance to see your problems from a much higher vantage point. You will not be able to disassociate yourself from the problem unless you can distance yourself from the problem. That is why the Happiness Decision is so important. You are so close to the problem that you have become part of the problem.

One of the things we can do to be happy is not to take things personally. Step back from the problem and yourself and let the situation pass for a few moments without reacting to it. This will be easier for you with the discipline of perspective. When you take things personally, you are not allowing yourself the space to view the situation intelligently because you have filled it with your negative emotional reaction. Your emotions draw you in and you find yourself trapped in the problem. The whole premise of detachment is another example of perspective discipline. Bear in mind, that discipline takes practice. The more you practice the better will be your responses and the choices available for you to make.

The Happiness Decision is the ultimate in perception discipline because the decision creates the intention that happiness is more important to you than what is happening. Give your life a lift and let go of your preconceived perceptions, beliefs and reactions. When something occurs that has the power to disturb you, don't do anything for a few seconds. Give yourself a refreshing time out to allow yourself to see the situation more objectively with the advantage of perspective. This is another way to practice mindfulness and to allow your mind to have a larger perspective of things. This will clear your mind so you can identify and focus on solutions.

Immanuel Kant had written these wise words, "We see things not as they are, but as we are." If you want the view to change, than you must change your point of view. It's all in how you see things from your view. Our thinking is the most important part of our happiness perspective. Can you step back from your thinking long enough, for even a second or two, and look at life from a bigger and broader view? You can do this and benefit from it if you choose to. Step back from always being right and look at the broader view. This allows your mind to stop thinking, even for a moment, and use the Happiness Decision with the Happiness Prospective. Step back for a broader view without letting your negative thoughts cloud your vision?

If you step back in this way, you will be stepping up to a grander perspective that will give you more control than you have ever experienced. Get a more objective view you and you will have clear sailing though your life. Practice the Happiness Perspective and you will earn your wings.

It will be time for me to come down for a landing. The lift I received and the perspective I now have will carry me forward to being happy throughout my day. Practice the art of the Happiness Perspective and you will have the power you need to handle All the Small Stuff. One of the greatest happiness authors of our time, Richard Carlson Ph,D. who wrote the book Don't Sweat The Small Stuff, passed away last year at the young age of 45 years old and left us with a great deal of happiness wisdom in all the books he wrote. I recommend his books to you because they are now timeless happiness classics really worth reading. I have Dr. Carlson's book, You Can Be Happy No Matter What on my twenty best happiness books on my web site. I also recommend his book, Shortcut Through Therapy.

BE HAPPY ZONE by Lionel Ketchian. Published in the Fairfield Citizen-News on December 19, 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!

Happ-E-Quote :) "Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu

Happ-E-Mail :) From Phyllis Freeman, Bridge House Happiness Club. Happiness And Optimism 'Can Change Your DNA' : Delving Into Mind Over Matter By Claire Smith The Scotsman - UK 12-3-2004

Happ-E-Quote :) "Since we all want our children and grandchildren to be happy, why don't we request that happiness should be taught in all schools and be put on the agenda of all governments and world organizations? How many schools and institutions do it? Very few, I am sure." - Dr. Robert Muller

Happ-E-Mail :) This poem sent by our good friend Sid Madwed.

Thought on parenting
If you truly love your children,
you'd be wise to love your spouse.
So your children will live in a home,
not just a house.

Happ-E-Quote :) "We want our children to grow up to be such persons that ill-fortune, if they meet with it, will bring out strength in them, and that good fortune will not trip them up, but make them winners." - Edward Sandford Martin (1856-1939)

Happ-E-Quote :) "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours." - Richard Bach

Plan Without Worrying. When a person worries about his future material needs, he assumes he will still be alive in that future moment. What guarantee does he have that he'll still be alive for any length of time? If you assume you will still be alive, then you can also assume that you'll be able to meet your basic necessities. Suppose you saw a person looking worried and you asked him, "My friend, why are you so full of anxiety?" How would you react if he replied, "Things are all right now, but I'm worried that in 10 years I might be missing something."

Happ-E-Quote :) "Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breath more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours." - Swedish Proverb

Happ-E-News :) Recent happiness articles and items of interest!

CLUB HAPPINESS, E-CLUB :) Everybody should join this club, try it, you'll love it!!!

VIRTUAL HAPPINESS CLUB :) We are fortunate to have Robert A. Nozik, M.D. Bob was not at all happy as a child and downright unhappy as a young adult, Bob reckoned that attaining worldly success would bring him the happiness he lacked. But when achieving this failed to deliver the happiness he envisioned, he sought it elsewhere. Finally, after 20 years of search, and leaving no stone unturned, he did find the deep, inner happiness he was seeking. Bob wrote the book, HAPPY 4 LIFE: Here's How to Do It. In this book Bob reveals all the secrets he's unearthed for getting the happiness we all dream of having, and he saves us 20 years in the process.

Dr. Robert Nozik is not your ordinary self-help author. Bob is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of California Medical Center, recently retired from a distinguished medical career as a consultant, clinician, and teacher of ophthalmology. His curriculum vitae* includes three medical textbooks, nearly 100 scientific journal publications, and over 100 medical lectures. Throughout his career he has been recognized as a leading authority in the medical subspecialty of uveitis. Bob's been listed in Best Doctors in America every year until his retirement. Throughout his medical career, Bob's been recognized as an innovative teacher adept at thinking outside the box. Now he brings this expertise and creativity to helping all of us learn how to become happy.

Date: Monday, January 14. 2008

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM, EST in the USA.
Your Phone number is: (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 one Monday each month.

FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB :)

Our next Happiness Club meeting will have a presentation called: "Happiness: the Evidence" by Dr. Mark K. Setton. Dr. Setton will talk about the dramatic upsurge in scientific studies on happiness during the last two decades, the conclusions they have found, and what this means for you! Dr. Setton is an Associate Professor of World Religions and Chairman of the Martial Arts Studies Program at the University of Bridgeport.

Date :) Thursday, January 17, 2008
Time :) 7:00 - 9:30 P.M.
Place :) At the Fairfield Public Library, Rotary room, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)

Our next meeting features a presentation by Anne Fasanella, R.N, B.S.N. called: "The Good Life" and "The Art of Living." Anne's talk will include: Secret techniques for lovin' life 24/7 and simple and practical solutions for how to cope with adversities, illness, pain, and depression.

Date :) Wednesday, January 9, 2008

WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT SMILING SINGLE SENIORS HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next meeting will have a presentation called: The Secret: Laws of Attraction. Can you imagine a life filled with inner peace and strength, unconditional love, satisfying relationships, a career with meaning and purpose, and greater prosperity and joy? You live with passion and compassion, feel successful, happy and fulfilled and you accomplish this with minimal effort and much joy.

Date :) Thursday, January 30, 2008
Time :) 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
Place :) The Westport Senior Center, 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: Thursday, February 28, Thursday, March 22, 2008.

Date :) Tuesday in January to be announced.

MADISON CONNECTICUT HAPPINESS CLUB :)
Our next Happiness Club meeting will have a presentation called: A NEW TWIST ON NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS by Beverley Sastri. Beverly will speak on reframe your New Year's resolutions so the process of achieving them is powerful instead of painful so you can actually reach your goals! Beverly is a speaker and facilitator of Live Like You Mean It! personal development training.

Date :) Wednesday, January 30, 2008

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.

Date :) Wednesday, January 9 , 2008

Time :) 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Place :) At Columbia Business School - Warren Hall Room 416 (4th floor) corner of Amsterdam and 115th street, Columbia University campus New York, NY 10027

MENTORS HAPPINESS CLUB :) Next meeting to be announced.

Virtual Happiness 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!

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS: No longer wish to receive the Happ-E-Newsletter, reply with "Remove" in the subject line.

"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. Make the Happiness Decision Now! THAT'S ALL FOLKS...NOW BE HAPPY!

© Copyright 2008, Lionel R. Ketchian, all rights reserved.