Laughter Is The Best Medicine

I remember a dark time in my life.  Once in a while, through my depression, a belly laugh would find it's way through.  It was so foreign to my psyche that it physically hurt...but it eased the tension and moved me toward healing.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals.

My little grandson and I were going somewhere, and he was determined he didn't need to be strapped into his car seat.  We struggled.  I watched as he stared at me and clenched his teeth.  For a moment I stared back.  Then I burst into laughter.  I just got his first "stink-eye" look!  It would have been cute and funny even if I hadn't seen it through grandma eyes.  When I laughed, he laughed.  The contest was over, and he allowed me to do what I needed to do...keep him safe in the car.

Laughter with solves a multitude of problems.  Laughter at usually deepens them.

Have you laughed today?  It's good for the health.  Some say it heals.  It may or may not drive physical healing, but it certainly heals a heavy heart and an angry confrontation.

How long since you watched I Love to Laugh?  Watch it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMqqI-kzHY


http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2011/08/29/how-laughter-anger-may-influence-heart-health/
http://www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/research/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine

Fathers, Heart Fathers, and Mothers Who Are Fathers...Thank You!

Happy Fathers Day, Dads!  Happy Fathers Day, "Heart Fathers."  Happy Fathers Day Mothers who are doing double duty.  May life bring you blessings greater than you can imagine.

I work with high risk students and adults during troubled times in their lives.  I often hear young men say, "I'm afraid to have children.  I don't get along with my dad; he didn't get along with his dad; his dad didn't get along with his dad."

Family dysfunction.  It exists.

But...patterns in your family can be broken.  Many of those young men faced their family issues and are amazing dads today...loving, involved dads who both cherish and "get along" with their children...in good times and in bad.

I saw my Dad only twice; I was 13.  Then he died.  My grandfather and my Uncle Alton were my heart fathers. Every Fathers Day I had the dilemma of finding the right card.  Those reading "from your little girl" just weren't appropriate, but the sentiment was.  I love them both; I cherish them both; I celebrate them not just on Fathers Day but every day of my life.

I never really knew my biological dad, but I am doubly blessed because I had two men who are my "heart fathers."

If your biological father and heart father is the same person, you are blessed.  Thank God.

Who do you celebrate on Fathers Day...and why?  If you wrote a Father's Day card sentiment, what would it say?