weekly post from May 8, 2009

Good morning friends & loved ones,

As I sit and write this it's a rainy, slightly chilly and gloomy day. Having said that, we should be rejoicing in the fact taht it is Spring and Summer is practically right around the corner. I like to think of Spring as the time when God's world wakes again after a long sleep and dances in beauty and laughter.

I know that this is going to be very difficult for many to fathom but there was a time not too long ago when I would wake up and immediately shift into task mode (or business mode as I heard it called). Instead of reveling in the beauty and sounds of the morning and praising that I was alive for another day, I would quickly take on the stress and business of the day. After a time, I did learn how to wake up each morning with laughter and playfulness.

It seems, however, that I have recently lost that. It really hit me this morning as I sat in the car on the way to work and realized I had yet to crack a smile; how sad that was. How is it that we let the daily grind of life get to us before we've even gotten out of bed or had that first cup of coffee or greeted the first person of the day? Where is our sense of playfulness at 5 in the morning? I know, I know, you may be thinking, 'How can ANYONE laught at 5am when it's barely even light out? I used to ask the same question but it's really easier than you might think. It's a mindset, it's the determination and choice to NOT be serious or gloomy or so task oriented. It's similar to the belief that happiness comes from within (it does). Yes, there are things we need to think about and get done but it's vital for us to remain young at heart. If we don't we begin to lose our enjoyment of life.

As you enter your weekend (when most of us sleep in or delight in the fact that we don't have to work for two days), I challenge you to start the new week with a smile on your face and laughter in your heart as you awake from your Sunday slumber. It can be fun and downright infectious. Besides studies have shown that laughing is good for us and beneficial to life.

Next week-Prayer. Does it really work or is it just a waste of energy?

Stay safe, stay happy and stay healthy....and LAUGH OFTEN! If the flowers and animals can do it, we can too.

love,

paul