Laughter. . .It's Good For What Ails You!

SHINEWORTHY LIFESTYLES - CONFIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD & CLARITY TO SHINE

How long has it been since you laughed? Are you in such a hurry to get things done that you are forgetting to laugh? Does your "to do" list consist of people, places, and things?

Instead of singing songs of praise do you find yourself crying the blues? Laughter can be music for your soul. Imagine how much better your day could go by simply changing your tune today.

The Power of Laughter

Laughter is contagious. If you don't believe it, try spending an afternoon with a group of giggling little girls. It doesn't take much for one little girl to start laughing, and before you know it, they are all laughing uncontrollably. If you stay in the room long enough, I bet you will be laughing too. Even after you leave the room, the smile on your face will linger for a while because laughter really is good for the soul.

We will all have unexpected twists and turns as we go through our lives. Finding reasons to laugh even when your heart is breaking is a survival mechanism worth keeping in your hip pocket. To have the ability to punctuate the situation with laughter is a mark of maturity. Look for reasons to laugh every day.

I've heard it said, "A day is wasted unless we fall over in a heap laughing."

Practical Tips For Finding Humor

Have you ever played the "don't smile" game? It is especially useful when a child is whining, pouting, and demanding their own way. Here's how it works: Look them in the eye and say, "Whatever you do, don't smile." At first it is easy for them not to smile because they have worked themselves into a frustrated state of mind. They may want to run out of the room because they want to stay frustrated. But if you can keep them in the room just long enough, they will cave in, and not only smile, but laugh and start enjoying life again. It can work with adults too.

Finding humor in your day can take the sting out of the pain. It may not make it go away, but it will ease it for a little while. To be carefree, cheerful, mischievous, and happy are all attainable characteristics. They are essential tools to keep around when things just aren't funny.

A Personal Perspective

I know some days can be down-right rotten, and laughter is the last thing on your mind. I've been there. I know that feeling very well. But even on those days, if we look hard enough, we can muster up a little chuckle, and soften our faces with a smile.

I have grown to accept this weighty principle - Life is difficult. From the beginning of time, mankind has experienced heartache, frustrations, sadness, and pain. There are no exceptions. Even if you stick your head in the sand, and try to hide from troubles, hard times will still come your way from time to time.

As the founder of SHINEWORTHY LIFESTYLES, I am often asked how I keep my cheery disposition. Here is my answer, I don't always get it right, but the way I strive to keep my cheery disposition is by shifting the weight off my shoulders, and turning my troubles and woes over to God. When I give him what is weighing me down, He takes the weight off my shoulders and enables me to stand up straight and live with God-confidence. In spite of the heaviness that can come with problems, I am given the energy to carry on. My friend, I encourage you to do this too. I am so grateful that we are not required to carry our burdens alone.

As you kickstart this week, I want to encourage you to pause and catch your breath. Take some time to list at least five things you are grateful for today. Then put a new song in your heart and laughter in your soul. It really is good for what ails you!

Father's Day is just around the corner - let's take some time to laugh at some "Dad Jokes" this week. If you have any you'd like to share - please email them to me at sueann@sueanncordell.com and I'll share them on my blogs this week.

DAD JOKE OF THE DAY: A man walked into a library and orders a hamburger. The librarian says, "This is a library." The man apologizes and whispers, "I'd like a hamburger, please."

Thought for the Day: "There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." - Charles Dickens

Have A Great Day!