“For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:12

 

April 2019

 

Dear Friends,

This month’s Gift of Laughter is indeed good medicine for the soul. Did you know that laughter relaxes the whole body? A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Additionally, laughter burns calories. it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories. Lastly, the word says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!”  Psalm 118:24

Rejoice!

The Team at Legacy Planning Advisors, LLC.

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The Gift of Laughter

 

When it comes right down to it, there is really no need to explain the need for laughter in our lives.  Laughter picks us up when we feel down.  It elevates us higher just when we thought we couldn’t be any happier.  Laughter connects us and draws people together because of its contagious nature.  Happy people generally have a positive, joyful outlook on life.  They tend to look for and think about the positive aspects of people, situations, and events.  They can laugh at themselves and brush off little setbacks that others will brood over for days.  Even in our saddest moments, laughter can be the best medicine to heal our hearts and mend our minds.  Look around this month for things that make you laugh and look for the simple joys in everything you do.  When you can bring the Gift of Laughter into your life, you will stay focused on that which you enjoy and appreciate, while finding ways to bring joy and laughter to those around you.

 

Experience The Gift of Laughter

 

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:11

The Joy Chart

Start a healthy family habit that will help everyone develop a more positive outlook on life.  Make the dinner hour, when you are all together, a time to share with each other the best part of your day.  Take turns and really listen.  This simple ritual expresses a lot about who we are and what makes us happy.  Create a Joy Chart!  Anyone who can think of three or more good things that happened to them that day earns a sticker.  Mom and Dad should participate as well.  And anyone who earns a certain number of stickers (you decide) by the end of the month will be rewarded with a treat.  When we look for the good things in life, we are sure to find them.  If we choose to look for the negative, we will find them, too.  But attitude is a habit and habits are learned.  Continue this every day for the entire month and you are sure to have established some good habits that will benefit your loved ones for a lifetime.

 

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21

 

The Family Fun Box

The Family Fun Box will become an important item in your home once you introduce this easy and fun tradition.  The box is symbolic of how your family interacts, and it represents the fact that every member has a voice and feels respected.  Each member of the family should write down his/her idea of “family fun” on slips of paper and put them in the “Family Fun Box”.  One night a week, someone picks out a slip (or more depending on time and the nature of the activities) and announces which activity the family will enjoy together over the weekend.  This is a powerful but simple way to make every person, no matter what age, believe that he/she is an important and valued member of the family.

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”  Psalm 5:11

 

Singin’ Up a Storm

There is something about singing that makes everyone smile and let go of all inhibitions.  So why not set up a Karaoke Night on a nice spring night and let everyone sing away with costumes and all!  Choose an emcee for this event and make sure everyone comes prepared with his/her own musical numbers.  He/she can write his/her own lyrics or lip sync to a song.  Encourage each other to have props and create a microphone out of a wooden spoon.  Make it even more entertaining by doing it in the evening with the lights low and a bright flashlight to illuminate the stage.  Give out awards at the end of the evening:  best costume, best voice, best dance, and best performance.  Most importantly, have fun and laugh out loud as you enjoy time together doing something silly.