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American Hero #5
Lionel Ketchian
by guest columnist Pamela Mortimer
Congratulations to Lionel Ketchian, our American Hero #5, for 2011.
I first met Lionel Ketchian in 2002 when I was assigned to write an article on Connecticut-based LRK Communications, Inc. and its printing subsidiary American Litho, operated for three generations by the Ketchian family. Although the article was to be based around the graphics industry, CEO Lionel Ketchian was equally, if not more enthusiastic to talk about another project he was working on - a project that has become the worldwide sensation known as the Happiness Club.
Although printing has always been in the Lionel Ketchian's blood, happiness was not. Ketchian claims that he woke up one day and wondered why he wasn't happy. After all, he had everything one was supposed to have to be happy, so why wasn't he? In his quest to find happiness, Lionel began to read voraciously. The more Lionel read and studied, the more he craved the opportunity to share what he had learned. Ketchian approached Sacred Heart University with his new-found knowledge and became an instructor of a four week class titled, "Personal Power and Success Through Happiness." However, when the class ended, something strange occurred - the students didn't want to leave! Ketchian took this as a sign that there had to be more if he was going to continue to spread his philosophy and help people learn how to be happy.
Ketchian boils it all down into two steps: 1. Choose to be happy. 2. Make decisions that support your choice. "When you're happy, you are more aware of the choices you have," says Ketchian. "When you let a situation control you, you've become disempowered."
Thanks to Lionel's hard work and infections optimism, the club has gone viral over the past decade. Today, The Happiness Club has 80 chapters around the world, teaching people how to be successful, happy, and in a way, heroes in their every day world. Perhaps the most inspiring thing about The Happiness Club is that it's completely free.
Thank YOU, Lionel, for helping us realize that happiness is closer than we think.
Follow-up thoughts
Thank you Pam for a wonderful article about our newest American Hero Lionel Kitchen! As I reviewed Mr. Kitchen's web site I came across an inspirational quote and video:
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. --Albert Schweitzer
http://www.stservicemovie.com/
Our goal is to identify, during 2011, 56 current-day heroes with the same character, commitment and courage as the 56 who signed our Declaration of Independence. If you would like to nominate someone please send your idea to news@americanvalues.com. If you would like to receive this email newsletter you may email us or add your name by clicking on the link below.
Acknowledgements
Our sincere thanks are extended to Lionel Ketchian for his cooperation with our "56 American Heroes" project. We are also grateful to Pamela Mortimer for her work in identifying Lionel Ketchian as our 5th American Hero and writing the fine article.
Carter LeCraw, CEO,
American Values Investments, Inc. | 
