Laughter is the best medicine

The simplicity and innocence of childhood is best exhibited in a child's laughter. Here's a short video of how giggling is very special in children. This is a YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk, to copy and paste. As you can see giggling is contagious and makes us feel good. Nothing complicated and certainly not limited. Just a word or an action seems to be sufficient to tickle the giggle mechanism. Perhaps it's a response to the attention that we shower on babies. Funny faces, noises, or hand movements begin a repetitive action of giggles that go on and on. Is it a learned behavior? Does the baby realize that happiness is derived from their giggles? Does the baby equate enhanced attention to his giggles? Attention getting behavior seems to transcend age, whatever it takes to get a little attention becomes an essential part of our being. Laughter or giggling actually reverses its role as we age, the laughter we get will manifest itself in attention getting behavior. For example, comedians or class clowns search for ways to make people laugh. Why? Is it an unselfish act to bring joy and happiness or does it satisfy an inner longing for the same attention we sought as a child?

As we grow older that lack of attention seems to rob us of our sense of humor, steals our laughter and smiles. A pat on the back that is not forthcoming makes us unhappy and we know happiness is a prerequisite to smiles and laughter. When mom can no longer provide those delectable dishes that she is famous for and the compliments wane, the smiles and laughter also wane. What was a joy becomes a task. Tasks don't lend themselves to smiles and laughter. Laughs aren't so easy to come by and frowns supplant smiles. Sadness overcomes joy and health becomes poor. It almost seems characteristic of the elderly, an inability to smile or laugh easily. An old proverb says, what soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. In Chapter 15 of Genesis, God made Abraham laugh at age 99 when He told him that his wife, Sarah, age 90, would have a child. Of course, it came to pass as did Abraham's lineage.

As we "lol" at jokes sent on the Internet we wonder why that conveyance of communication has become so popular. No small talk, no howyadoin?, just a joke in hopes that you would "lol". We are truly in need of smiles and laughs. So keep them coming, smiles and laughter, make it a point to do it everyday. Display your love for one another by making someone laugh or at least smile. Be grateful that you still have the ability and the desire. Laughter IS the best medicine!