Ok.  So the news said that January 17, 2011 is going to be the most depressing day of the year and June 17, 2011 will be the best day of the year.  So, who decided that?  We now have someone sitting somewhere deciding what our moods will be on any given day?  I say–hooey!  Apparently, I really didn’t pay attention to it last week when I first heard of it, because I forgot to be very depressed yesterday.  In fact  I spent much of the day doing what I love best—LAUGHING!!!   When I watched the news at 11 PM, I realized that I had failed to do what was predicted, I forgot to be depressed because they told me to be!   I love to laugh (ok – you Mary Poppins fans, go ahead you know you want to sing those words when you see them!).  I find laughing both healing and contagious.  So, that is what I’ve set out to do this year.  Both to laugh more myself and to get more people laughing!

Growing up, I remember always being the clown in the family trying to get people to lighten up.  Maybe it was because it could get pretty tense in my home.  Somewhere along the line, I just felt the joy when people were laughing.  I regularly laugh at myself, too!  In our home, the three of us laugh on a very regular basis.  Sometimes with each other and sometimes AT each other!  Oh, don’t get me wrong, we have our fair share of frustration—we are, after all, three only children living together!  Now THAT’S something to laugh about…..three only children living together…..all three always right!  If laughter weren’t in this house, someone could be dead!!  Joking!

Seriously, when was the last time you laughed – no, I mean REALLY laughed?  You know the kind, you laugh so hard your cheeks hurt, your sides are killing you-reminding you that you really should do more ab exercises to tighten up those obliques?  It’s really a good feeling, no really!  The pain in your sides and your face is so worth the effort!  Think back to that time of deep laughter, and even now as you’re remembering it,  doesn’t it still make you smile?  I bet so.  I have so many memories of great, deep and super hysterical laughing that I can’t help to smile reliving those times.  I hope you can too.

So – for today here is my challenge to you.  Yes, it’s mid January in Ohio, and yes, maybe your bills are coming in from an overspent December but do this one thing.  LAUGH.  And I mean really laugh.  Then find someone to share it with.  I bet just getting your giggle on, you can start someone else to laugh along  with you.  I dare you…..no – I double dog dare you!

As for me – I’m heading out to meet one of my bestest, long time buddies for lunch.  AND I promise you we are going to laugh and laugh some more!

…and that’s all I have to say about that!

Tammy