LOL

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:21, NIV)

I love to laugh! I don’t do it nearly as often as I should and that is probably because I am very focused and serious most of the time. While it is not a good excuse, it is the truth. I tend to take life too seriously and miss the opportunities to simply have fun or laugh until the tears are streaming down my face. According to Dr. Don Colbert, we should have at least ten good belly laughs a day. I feel good if I can have one or two.

Of course, I could always say there isn’t much humor in the world but that is not being honest. Where can we find the funny stuff today? I know I can get a good giggle from FaceBook watching Hogan Adventures (a mastiff talks and gets into all kinds of trouble) and then there are Moonpie and Starbox, two dachshunds who also talk with kid’s voices.

Here is a modified story (originally written by Sandra Clifton found in All God’s Creatures).

It had been a rough year for my husband, Terry, recovering from serious surgery, and for me as his care giver. Knowing I needed a treat, Terry had reserved an hour for me on Beau, my favorite horse at the nearby stable.

After my ride, I went to the nail salon, where I saw my dear friend, Joan, paying for her manicure. She asked me, “So how was he this morning?” With my mind still on Beau, the horse I had just ridden, I responded with, “Well, he was ornery this morning. When I greeted him, he bared his pearly whites at me, snorted loudly and stomped his foot.”

The pitiful look on her face told me that she was picturing my husband and I had been talking about the horse. After we each recovered from tear-filled laughter, I reassured her that Terry was fine.

It really isn’t hard to find something to laugh at. Your body will thank you. Your laughter helps you take in more oxygen, releases endorphins and off loads some of the stress you have been carrying. A good belly laugh can provide everything needed for some relaxation.

While I am not very good at having frequent bouts of laughter, I am going to make a conscious effort to find more humor in this world. Care to join me?

Laugh Out Loud with Jason Gray

Heavenly Father, teach me to enjoy the world around me just a little more. AMEN.