Hey My Friday Follies Friends,
Well, it’s time to take off my hermit hat again so I can visit with my favorite people – You! Thanks for being here. I feel so fortunate to connect with you.
I’ve been busy trying to act like an adult when one of my “children” in my imagination kept nagging me to do some research, so I did. And I found out that International Day of Laughter is celebrated on April 14 every year, and today is April 14 so let’s laugh out loud together. That means our inner child should come out and help us laugh away our worries. In this crazy mixed-up world when the realities tell us “USA, you’ve got problems,” our answer to that should be…we’re in charge, and we will look beyond all the anxieties that try to steal our smiles and we will laugh anyway and love just because. (And remember to say, “Hot diggity dog. Everything’s gonna’ be all right.”)
My research tells me that this holiday came into being by Izzy Gesell who said “Laughter is one of the healthiest things you can do.” It relieves stress (goodbye stress), instills optimism (we are poptimists – that’s a DF made-up word which means a cross between pessimism and realism and optimism. That attitude helps us keep our balance.) But Izzy says laughter raises self-confidence, defuses resistance to change and enhances all relationships. And we could sure use some of that now. Huh? Can I get a witness?
Long story short: Laughter is good for us. I’ll laugh if you will. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. Medical studies have shown that laughter reduces stress, increases blood flow and lowers blood sugar levels. Laughter is contagious too. It lifts people up. So laugh even when you don’t feel like it. It helps you know you’re in control and it makes a positive difference in the way you experience every day. It makes your whole body feel better. Now laugh all the body misery away, love this moment of life, and say thank you, God, for being so good to us. Thank you for the answered prayers. Thank you for the surprise blessings.
So…may none of us forget to laugh a lot every day.
I love you all so much, and I’m sending you a heart full of cuddly hugs and happy laughter.
Love,
Donna