Laughter Yoga – Appreciation Magic

Playtime and Being Playful

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

The importance of play cannot be overstated. So many of us adults forget how to play or be playful. Just think about how many times you’ve heard the expression, “Act your age!” It’s as if society expects us to always act serious as we grow older.

I personally love to act playful. I love to act silly in certain situations. (I can embarrass my daughters when I do it around them.) I love to laugh and I know that children laugh about 300 times in a day! That’s a whole lot more than adults. In fact, I read an article saying a 4 year old laughs about 300 times in a day, whereas a 40 year old only 4!

I’ve been doing substitute teaching since last year in the elementary schools here and I’m very happy that I get more opportunities to be playful and laugh because of it. Little kids have less of a filter than adults and I find that they do say the darnest things! While I don’t have grandchildren, people who have young grandchildren probably know this first hand, too.

Being playful makes me feel young. It lifts my vibe. Being playful always results in more laughter for me, too. As a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, so I can laugh for no reason at all. Doing so with others really results in genuine laughter, as it truly is contagious. It fills my heart with joy!

Today’s daily prompt has pushed me to finally read the Harry Potter series. I have all the books, my daughters loved it and so many children at school talk about it. While they’re sitting on my bookshelf, I’ve yet to read them. I think I’d like to engage with the students at school by reading the books next. It will certainly help me to relate to what they’re saying.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to go through life never losing my sense of playfulness. Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I do intentions and this year I chose one word to describe what I’ll intend more of this year. That word is laughter. For sure, it’ll be fun and playful!

Negative Labels and Limiting Beliefs

This week I tuned into Joel Osteen’s television sermon about getting rid of negative labels. It spoke to me so much that I took notes, thinking that I’d get around to writing about it here.

So on what’s left of this Christmas Day/Evening, I am appreciating the way that Joel Osteen and others can deliver a message about a familiar topic in a way that it speaks to me in a new or renewed way. I always love Joel’s sermons as they are uplifting, positive and inspiring. I really love that he starts out with a joke, too. As a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, I am very aware of the value of laughter: it truly is one of the best ‘medicines’ out there.

But this post is about appreciating the message he had in this sermon: that of ridding ourselves of negative labels, often spoken (either directly or implied) to us by others in our lives. Then we embrace these labels to the point of making them our own “story” about ourselves. Below are some of the quotes from his sermon.

“You cannot stop the negative comments. You can’t prevent the negative labels, but you can choose to remove them.”

“Words are like seeds. If you dwell on them long enough, they will take root and become what is said.”

“The only power that that label has over you is the power that you give it.”

“The real battle is taking place in our mind.”

“Nothing that was spoken over you has to define you – even if it was from people who raised you.”

“You are not who people say you are…Hurting people end up hurting other people. Bitter people are quick to stick on those negative labels.”

So in other words, we have the power to choose to think and feel differently than any negative label has over us. It is in our hands. If we buy into the negative label or image of ourselves and keep repeating it, it does take root and becomes a belief that limits us. Limiting beliefs are often there because we feel we’re not deserving or worthy in some way. The negative labels are just examples of limiting beliefs like: others are better than us, that we don’t have what it takes to succeed, that we’re not good, pretty, handsome or smart enough, etc…The key to understanding how limiting beliefs restrict us from living life to the fullest is that they are not who we truly are! We are not defined by these negative labels. We are all worthy and deserving and we all have unique gifts and purposes in life. So look inside yourself for your own inner beauty and discover your gift to this life that you are.

Today I appreciate Joel’s sermon for reaffirming that message. I appreciate people like him and the venue he has to reach so many people through his ministry. It is truly a blessing and I imagine that there are others out there who were touched by his words of encouragement. If not, I don’t think he would have a ministry that is so large.

I am grateful today. I appreciate positive messages that change peoples’ lives, from different people who deliver the messages. The world is full of many “teachers” and I appreciate that as we don’t all learn in the same way. We are unique and need diversity to thrive. No one “label” fits all!

I am particularly appreciating my own knowing that I can choose to change any belief that may be holding me back from my highest potential, too. I appreciate that I have the tools I need for myself and to help others in getting rid of these limiting beliefs and creating new ones that are positive, loving, inspiring, uplifting and fun.

Now that’s a good thing to celebrate as I end this year and get ready for another!

I Appreciate Laughter – Day 30

Oh, do I love to laugh! And often! Laughter truly is the best medicine – it raises our joy, reduces stress, has physical and psychological benefits and helps to create a happier life. It’s playful and fun! It feels really good. That’s why I became a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader.

The thing about laughter that I’ve discovered from being a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, is that you don’t have to have jokes in order to laugh (although jokes can be funny). What’s really cool is that your body cannot tell the difference between “fake” laughter and “genuine” laughter – the benefits are the same. I’m sure you can relate to how contagious laughter is! I love that about laughter! Some laughs are just so fun that it causes us to laugh out loud, too. I appreciate laughs like that! I appreciate Laughter Yoga for its “contagious” qualities, too! hee hee

Today I am leading a VideoChat session of my version of Laughter Yoga at GoodVibeUniverity. Anyone is welcome! It’s free and only 30 minutes at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. We laugh on purpose to raise our vibes. I call it Giggle Fest & Manifest! You can join in HERE.