Today I had lunch with six long-time friends.  Four of the ladies at the table were widows.  The tears flowed as each one shared about their husband’s last days.  Then one friend put such a positive, encouraging spin on the conversation.  “I got a note from my pastor shortly after my husband’s death.  It said, ‘Just wanted to remind you that he is more alive right now than he ever was in his life here on earth.’  Then another widow said with a smile, “We have so much comfort.  Our loved ones don’t have to be sick anymore.  They are happy and strong and we will see them again.  We have so much to look forward to.  God is going to make everything right.”

This may seem like a strange way to introduce the topic of laughter that I had already written for this week, but my experience today put faces on my theory.  Although tears will come, we can laugh through our tears when we have the happy ending in view.  It’s certainly easier for me to laugh when I meditate on the happy things I believe.  I believe that my Heavenly Father is in charge.  He is in charge of everything that happens to me day to day and has a good plan for my life.  He has a plan for the world that will surely come to pass in his good time.  He will remake this broken world and everything will be made right.  I am cared for minute by minute and my future is bright!

 

 

 

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever stop to think about how refreshing having a good laugh is?  Life is often hard.  There is plenty of sadness, disappointment, and serious jobs to go around, so we need to make room for laughter on a regular basis.  Today among my widow friends, one a very recent widow, we still had a hearty laugh as we reminisced a silly mistake one husband made that sent the whole church into uproarious laughter right in the middle of congregational singing.  “Laughter is the best medicine. Seriously — science says so. Studies suggest humor can lower cortisol, protect against heart disease and even assist with memory recall. So laugh it up, every chance you get.“ Hannah Sentenac, Huffington Post

Scientific studies show benefits of laughter    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/laughter-and-memory_n_5192086.html

My suggestions for increasing laughter in your life:

 

Laugh at yourself and tell on yourself.  Tell your embarrassing/funny experiences.  Humility is refreshing and giving others a good laugh at your own expense actually increases your joy.

 

 

Read jokes, cartoons, or watch a silly movie.  I get such a kick out of animal videos on U-Tube.  Thanks to those who post links on Facebook!  I laugh so hard at goofy animal antics that a certain family member fears for my sanity.

Keep company with people who make you laugh.

 

 

 

Try to be fun to be around.  Don’t complain.  Keep your dire predictions to yourself.  Make positive statements.
Laugh heartily at others’ witty remarks in conversation.

Smile even if you don’t feel like it.

 

 

 

Give your attention to a child.  It’s fine to laugh gently at them and with them.  They’ll learn that it’s fun and funny to be together.

 

Take a break from work and enjoy a positive conversation.

 

 

 

Make it a point to smile at those who serve you- waitresses, cashiers, medical personnel, gas attendants.  If you have even 30 seconds, say something to indicate you’ve noticed them as a person.

Take a few minutes to watch your pet- or any animal or bird, preferably in real life, but a video works, too.  Chances are they’ll make you smile or even laugh out loud!  Teach the young ones in your life to enjoy the animal world.  One of our granddaughters had an unhappy encounter with a dog at a park which made her afraid of any dog that approaches her too rambunctiously.  Her parents and I are helping her overcome her fear by modeling how to pet a dog.  She is learning to be brave and we commend her for moving past her fear so she can enjoy dogs.  Her dad bought bird seed and lets her throw it in certain areas of their yard so they can enjoy bird watching.  He even found a phone app that identifies a bird by your photo.  With a little thought, you can facilitate happy experiences between the littles in your life and the animals.

 

Random Things that Will Make You Laugh

Our family’s favorite cartoon books are Calvin and Hobbes by Waterson. buy here  These books entertained all six children and Husband and me during our years of isolation in a remote jungle location.  Some of us can recite most of the cartoons word for word.  Some of them have entered our repertoire of family sayings and are repeated when the occasion demands it.

 

Funny sayings of Will Rogers:

   There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.

   Never miss a good chance to shut up.

   If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.   

   The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.

   Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

   Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.

Funny animal U-Tube videos

https://www.facebook.com/SmartwithFunny/videos/1831389593802798/?pnref=story

https://www.facebook.com/likeWrld/videos/244707235937804/?pnref=story

https://www.facebook.com/DailyMail/videos/2006636419396096/?pnref=story

 

Funny advertisements

https://www.facebook.com/manga.afternoon/videos/10154345082245785/?pnref=story

 

 

 

 

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.  Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!  What joy!”  Psalm 126.2-3

 

 

 

And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.”  Genesis 21:6

 

 

 

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.  Proverbs 17:22

 

 

 

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’  Numbers 6:24-26

I’m by nature serious-minded.  I’ll never be a comedienne.  But I can lighten up by finding happy things to think about and talk about as I spend time in the company of fun people.  What are your favorite ways to lighten up?  How can you help others enjoy a good laugh?