January 4, 2011
The phrase LOL (Laughing Out Loud) is now widespread and a part of popular language--everybody knows what it means. I probably use this acronym more than I should on facebook. One of the things I needed more of this past year after losing Mom was the freedom to enjoy genuine humor and laughter; like when my children were younger. The best thing we did on a frequent basis is to go outside so they could run and laugh. It made my day better and it made their day better. Children intuitively know that laughter makes you feel good and studies show they do it approximately 300 times a day compared to happy adults that do it about 20 times per day. The book of Proverbs says laughter is like medicine. It is the kind of medicine that heals--it is the balm in Gilead that cures the depressed soul. But some did not get the memo--they are so negative that it is downright contagious. Their body language screams; "I Am Not Going To Be Happy!" They are to be avoided like the plague--refuse to let them kill your
spirit. Didn't somebody tell them laughter is like vitamin D? We need it in large doses to prevent cancer of the spirit. Vitamin D like laughter is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. New benefits of this vitamin are being discovered daily. Scientists have confirmed that we should desperately seek the "D." More than 50% of the American population is deficit in Vitamin D and that percentage is even higher among African-Americans. Even here in south Florida we are not at an advantage in terms of Vitamin D though the sun is always shining. South Floridians like everyone else still need so much more of the "D." Vitamin D contributes to bone and joint health by helping the body absorb calcium. Studies have also shown that Vitamin D prevents certain forms of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin D is the only vitamin naturally produced by the body. However, for the body to produce vitamin D it has to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight. And the truth is no matter where we live, we don't get enough of the "D." Vitamin D increases the level of hormones that make us healthier--so does laughter. Vitamin D relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers--so does laughter. Vitamin D strengthens our immune system and activates the will to live--so does laughter. Did you know there are classes in Laughter Yoga? I would love to attend a class with festive exercising. Okay, so maybe you would never attend a class where a bunch of people are laughing. But you have to do something to bring on the laughter. We've got to learn to keep shining and laughing no matter what is going on. And let me tell you, there are some things that are not funny when they are happening to us personally--but maybe you can look back and laugh. Going back down memory lane...I have LAUGHED OUT LOUD--when I have been happy to have the house to myself and fallen up the stairs--LOL! Or when my developmentally challenged son ran down the aisle at church jamming to his favorite song--LOL! And when my neighbor's 180lb dog dragged him across my lawn and he shouted--"DON'T TELL ANYBODY!" And finally, the image of me sliding off the treadmill at the gym and into the wall in retrospect is very funny--ROFL! If something makes you laugh--all I'm saying is use it and keep shining. This is Tuesday Talk--I hope you heard me.
© 2011 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
The phrase LOL (Laughing Out Loud) is now widespread and a part of popular language--everybody knows what it means. I probably use this acronym more than I should on facebook. One of the things I needed more of this past year after losing Mom was the freedom to enjoy genuine humor and laughter; like when my children were younger. The best thing we did on a frequent basis is to go outside so they could run and laugh. It made my day better and it made their day better. Children intuitively know that laughter makes you feel good and studies show they do it approximately 300 times a day compared to happy adults that do it about 20 times per day. The book of Proverbs says laughter is like medicine. It is the kind of medicine that heals--it is the balm in Gilead that cures the depressed soul. But some did not get the memo--they are so negative that it is downright contagious. Their body language screams; "I Am Not Going To Be Happy!" They are to be avoided like the plague--refuse to let them kill your
spirit. Didn't somebody tell them laughter is like vitamin D? We need it in large doses to prevent cancer of the spirit. Vitamin D like laughter is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. New benefits of this vitamin are being discovered daily. Scientists have confirmed that we should desperately seek the "D." More than 50% of the American population is deficit in Vitamin D and that percentage is even higher among African-Americans. Even here in south Florida we are not at an advantage in terms of Vitamin D though the sun is always shining. South Floridians like everyone else still need so much more of the "D." Vitamin D contributes to bone and joint health by helping the body absorb calcium. Studies have also shown that Vitamin D prevents certain forms of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin D is the only vitamin naturally produced by the body. However, for the body to produce vitamin D it has to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight. And the truth is no matter where we live, we don't get enough of the "D." Vitamin D increases the level of hormones that make us healthier--so does laughter. Vitamin D relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers--so does laughter. Vitamin D strengthens our immune system and activates the will to live--so does laughter. Did you know there are classes in Laughter Yoga? I would love to attend a class with festive exercising. Okay, so maybe you would never attend a class where a bunch of people are laughing. But you have to do something to bring on the laughter. We've got to learn to keep shining and laughing no matter what is going on. And let me tell you, there are some things that are not funny when they are happening to us personally--but maybe you can look back and laugh. Going back down memory lane...I have LAUGHED OUT LOUD--when I have been happy to have the house to myself and fallen up the stairs--LOL! Or when my developmentally challenged son ran down the aisle at church jamming to his favorite song--LOL! And when my neighbor's 180lb dog dragged him across my lawn and he shouted--"DON'T TELL ANYBODY!" And finally, the image of me sliding off the treadmill at the gym and into the wall in retrospect is very funny--ROFL! If something makes you laugh--all I'm saying is use it and keep shining. This is Tuesday Talk--I hope you heard me.
© 2011 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
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