Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 17:22 (05/04/23)
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TITLE: Don’t Laugh! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Culler
05/10/23 -
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Taking a deep breath, my young grandchild clamped her lips together, her cheeks puffing like a chipmunk hiding a mouthful of nuts.
“Whatever you do, don’t laugh.”
The corners of her mouth quiver, a slight smile lifting at the sides. Unable to maintain the hold, a loud gasp precedes the spewing of chuckles; her body convulsed to the floor in uncontrolled mirth. Laughter being contagious, I joined in, using exaggerated snorts. Shrieks of joy filled the room in response to my over-acting.
Children love that game. For a few, however, they can keep a straight face and not give in to the taunt of not laughing. But not for long. Most children that I’ve encountered laugh a lot. Listening to my now-adolescent grands interact with one another is a blessing because they laugh so easily — more often than they quarrel.
There are many benefits of laughter. When you laugh, it triggers feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. Those so-called happy hormones react even when not laughing. When you help someone else, give compliments, or practice gratitude, the surge of feel-goods pumps up your cheerfulness meter. It also happens when exercising or serving others.
And on the other side, a broken heart brings on a crushed spirit. When that long-held dream or vision shatters to pieces, life feels hopeless. Not even the sound of laughing babies can remedy the sad soul.
However, add bouncing, face-licking puppies to the mix of giggling toddlers; even the most broken and jaded heart will feel the upswing of happy hormones — if only for a little while.
How could you not laugh?
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