When is the last time you laughed, truly belly laughed? Do you take yourself too seriously?
Laughter and smiles are universal. It makes me smile to hear other people or children laughing. I love to laugh and make others laugh.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” –Proverbs 17:22
According to an article by the Mayo Clinic, a good laugh has great short-term effects like stimulating your heart, lungs, and muscles, increasing endorphins, soothing tension. Long-term effects from laughter may improve your immune system, relieve pain, improve your mood, lessen your depression and anxiety.
Clean, good-humored laughter truly is the best medicine. Just smiling makes you even more attractive.
Do you surround yourself with people or even one friend who lifts your spirits and laughter comes easily? If not, intentionally set times to spend time with someone or people with whom you can laugh.
Laughter is throughout the Bible. One of my favorite stories is when God told Abraham and his wife Sarah that they would have a baby when they were ages 100 years old and 90 years old, respectively. Needless to say, Sarah laughed—at God. She conceived and bore a son and named the baby “Isaac,” which means…. Laughter.
“Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’” –Genesis 21:6 NIV
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.’” –Psalm 126:2-3 NIV
May you be encouraged to smile and laugh more, and to make others laugh. It sure does lighten the room, lighten your heart, lighten your marriage, and those around you.
Relax, smile, get ready to laugh.
Here’s a clean joke for you:
Little Johnny was sitting in Sunday School one day when his teacher was teaching about Noah and the ark and all the animals.
She asked “With all that water from the Flood, do you think many fish were caught from Noah’s ark?”
Johnny quickly answered, “Of course not.”
“Why not, Johnny? It would be so easy to catch fish,” his teacher asked.
Johnny said matter-of-factly, “Noah only had two worms.”
Reflect:
–What will you do to laugh more?
Renew:
–“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” –Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV
Recharge:
–Name three positive people in your life who lift your spirits. Make an appointment to see them and spend time.
Resource:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
Danya Jordan