Learn To Laugh

30 Aug

“Always find a reason to laugh. It may not add years to your life, but it will surely add life to your years.”  ~ Unknown

When I was young and the Reader’s Digest would arrive at our house, immediately, I would turn to my favorites.  Laughter, The Best Medicine, Humor In Uniform, and other jokes were sprinkled through the magazine.  They always lifted my spirits.  Some of the stories made me smile.  Others made me belly laugh.

Laughter is the best medicine.  A doctor-researcher once did a study on controlling pain in patients.  Some patients were given a placebo, others were given their medicine, and still others were given medicine and watched an hour of comedy each day.  Would you be surprised to know that those who laughed regularly reported the largest decrease in pain?  They were able to manage the pain because laughter releases endorphins in the brain, the “feel good” chemicals.

Laughing can help to control pain.  Laughter can help soothe a broken heart.  Laughter can help break the ice in tense situations.  Laughter can mend relationships.  Why is it, then, that too many people refrain from laughter?  Some claim that engaging in laughter is silly/childish.  Others maintain that laughter is unprofessional.  Perhaps laughter is that, especially if the laughter is being used against someone.  No one likes it when people laugh at them.  But, when people laugh with them or make them laugh, good feelings happen.

There is a simple fact that embraces all of us: we take ourselves way too seriously.  If we can learn to laugh, we can decrease the stress in our lives, lower our blood pressure, control our pain, and a whole host of other good things.

Learn to laugh if you do not do so regularly.  Learn to laugh more freely if you already laugh.  It is the reflection of a well-centered person.

FAITH ACTION:  Allow laughter to be a part of your personality and a part of your day.