Blondies Good Bad and Ugly

When was the last time you laughed? Not a little giggle or a half hearted chuckle. I’m talking a genuine, tear jerking, ab aching, belly laugh. I was asked this question recently and I really had to think about it. When was the last time I laughed so hard I nearly cried? The fact that it took me longer than a minute to recall told me it had been too long. 

Since the semester has started, I feel like everything has been stacked up for me. Assignments due, a meeting here, quiz there, presentation tomorrow, add this meeting, paper due yesterday, exam due now. Go ahead and add working 20 hours a week in the mix. (Let me be honest, some things have definitely been turned in late.) But honestly, when did October start? Wasn’t September third just the other day? I feel like I have to schedule in time to catch my breath. 

We’ve all heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine”, and as cliche as it might sound, I think there is some truth to it. Within an instant, laughter can make any situation lighter. Scientifically speaking, according to Mayo Clinic, laughter increases endorphins in our brain and alleviates stress. It energizes the lungs, heart and even stimulates 15 facial muscles. Talk about a workout. Laughter pulls individuals together and connects us in such a youthful, intimate way. As humans, laughing is our innate reaction to the things that bring us the most joy. So why don’t we laugh more?

Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven.” It goes on to tell us there is a time for mourning, crying, dancing, laughing, healing, love and so much more. But what if we found time to laugh every day? Verse 3:12 reads, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live…” Life shouldn’t be so busy and full of back to back tasks. 

In order to be normal functioning humans, we need to find time to rest in our daily lifestyle, doing little things for ourselves. We need to laugh at the little things, mistakes and all. Laugh when you’re nervous, laugh when you’re stressed. I know we experience hardships, trust me when I say I’ve experienced plenty of my own. But life doesn’t have to be all about them. Life should be joyful! Stir your cereal and focus on the good things. (Read the previous blog for context.) So I encourage you to plan the girls night, play the board games, crack the jokes and laugh the hardest! Live a joyful life!