I am killing time while I wait for life to shower me with meaning and happiness.

Hello Followers,

Good morning, Monday.

As we start this Monday and last week of April, it is time to turn that frown upside down.

A famous funny guy Charlie Chaplin once said, a day without laughter is a day wasted, and Dan and I could not agree more.

Whether you are having a bad day or know someone who could use a little cheering up, laughter really is the best medicine.

Plus, there are so many ways to tickle your funny bones.

Telling corny jokes or watching feel-good comedies is a sure-fire way to add humor to your day.

When Dan and I go on Tuesdays for our ballroom dancing classes, in between the class we have announcements and a time to say riddles and jokes.

So, as we have been exploring words and how it effects our health, I welcome you to check out the past two weeks posts with words such as, time, faith, self-worth, happiness, encouragement, self-talk, optimism, karma, forgiveness, trust, appreciation, thoughts and words, power, rebuilding, passion, confidence, connection, transitioning, motivation, preparation, coping, laughter, empowerment, limitations, gratitude, circumstance, and universe.

Today the word is humor.

A healthy sense of humor can help you deal with tough times.

Humor might seem like a soothing balm or a light diversion.

But humor is much more powerful than something that simply calms us down.

In fact, it is an often-overlooked tool in our arsenal in the battle to maintain good health.

During times when we are barraged with economic, social, political, and health problems, it is wise to turn to a not-so-obvious way to protect ourselves.

The mass of health benefits of humor and laughter are wide-reaching.

During moments of humor, while it seems like you are simply laughing at a friend’s joke or a comedian’s monologue, you are improving your health.

By tickling your funny bones, clinical evidence shows you are not only being entertained but enhancing your physical, psychological, and social well-being.

At its most basic level, laughter exercises your diaphragm.

It enables you to take in more oxygenated air and stimulates your lungs.

During those moments of laughter, you are relieving physical tension in your muscles.

While those muscles relax during what seems like a minor activity, medical professionals inform us that you improve your vascular functioning, too.

As you laugh at hilarious events, your cardiac health improves.

Laughter increases your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.

We know that laughter has been shown in studies to improve your pain threshold, likely due to an endorphin-mediated opiate effect.

What is interesting is that this appears to be independent of your mood, meaning that it can have a positive effect even when you are down.

— ROBERT BONAKDAR MD, FAAFP, FACN

For example, let us say you have a migraine, but you are watching a hysterically funny Netflix show.

As you watch and laugh, you may become at least somewhat distracted from the migraine pain and discomfort.

But distraction alone is not what reduces your pain perception.

Proven processes are working behind the scenes in your body to increase your pain tolerance.

Endorphins, for example, get to work.

Because you are laughing up a storm, your body produces these natural painkillers.

Research shows it can improve sleep quality as well.

Overall, extensive laughter supports the immune system, which makes you more resistant to disease.

By laughing, you are increasing antibody-producing cells and enhancing the effectiveness of T cells in your body.

These cells act like a defense army to combat illness.

Also, laughter and humor reduce stress, boosts memory, and improves our social relationships.

Clinical evidence shows that humor reduces stress hormones.

Cortisol is a major stress hormone that circulates throughout your body when you are stressed out.

Decreasing levels of cortisol is important because high levels of cortisol tax your immune system.

When you are preoccupied with something funny, you cannot simultaneously focus on the negativity.

Humorous interludes can give you a break from worrying.

That space, that place where you can let your hair down and breathe, in and of itself is beneficial.

Humor can provide a healthy perspective.

Maybe after laughing, you discover a new angle on the problem.

Perhaps you realize that you have gotten through other difficult periods and are reassured.

With a new perspective, you might view threats such as challenges and problems as opportunities.

So, let us this week focus on using these benefits and put more humor into our daily routine.

Continuing as in the previous posts; 365 morning meditations for joyful days all year long.

Click Me

The book is SUNRISE GRATITUDE by Emily Silva.

APRIL 24th

IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE BRAVE, especially when there are so many unknowns swirling about.

If you crave security and certainty, one of the greatest things you can do is learn to welcome uncertainty.

Uncertainty creates a new level of fear that you can transform into trust.

Trust that all your efforts are being met by the universe and that things will eventually fall into place.

Visualize the outcome you desire and surrender.

Freedom and wonder are on the other side of letting go.

PHRASE TO REMEMBER; Health is Wealth.

We stand by this and continue to do daily; walk, meditation, Tai Chi, and Qigong.

Dan and I have started back bouncing and walking to Walk at Home YouTube.

It is always important to change your routine around you but continue keeping a healthy lifestyle.

For us, that may be walking through a park, walking in a mall, or going to the gym and just staying home, bouncing, and walking to Walk at Home with YouTube.

This also includes daily meditation and twice a week Tai Chi.

Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Embracing Happiness and Contentment

This meditation is a guide to finding happiness by understanding how living in the present moment can bring us deep and lasting contentment.

This practice can reduce stress, calm anxiety, and improve sleep.

If we open ourselves to being available for each passing moment and maximizing contentment in what we call the here and now, we also open ourselves to the acceptance of happiness and lasting joy.

If you would like to follow with us; hash tag words #walk, #meditation #Qigong on the right of the main blog page.

Until Tuesday, when I was growing up, I always wanted to be someone.

Now I realize I should have been more specific.