Laughter is contagious. Ever notice when someone is laughing hysterically, you can’t help but join in?

In college, in the midst of a big laughing fit, I instinctively began to wave my hand in front of my face like a fan. I’m not sure why … whether I thought it would give me needed air or what, but back then laughter and waving went hand-in-hand. These oddities made everyone laugh harder, which created further waving from me.

I somehow outgrew my waving instincts, but not my desire to laugh. The sound of my laughter is one hard to ignore — it’s loud and perhaps to some, rather obnoxious. I just figure I’m expelling unwanted stress with each thunderous hoot. 

In the midst of busyness, a challenging situation, or stress, laughter has the ability to change our drab outlook. Unfortunately, the first to disappear in such times, is fun and laughter.

I’ve been known to let my goofy side shine under such stress-filled days. One of my specialties is to put on music and dance in no apparent style — just having fun. After the initial expected embarrassment by my daughter, she joins in while my husband sits on the couch and laughs at his two wacky women. Before long, laughter and fun fill our home and the cares of the day dissipate.

When did we last cut loose, have fun, and laugh? Maybe it’s time to let your goofy side shine!

A laugh is a smile that bursts.  ~Mary H. Waldrip

As a parent, I appreciate new beginnings. Do you ever feel like you just need a clean slate, or a fresh perspective to start again?

There are things I look back on and know I should have done differently as a parent. Such as not telling my then two-year old daughter while she was in the middle of a theatrical outburst, “Is that the best you can do? I did better than that when I was a child.” Not good. My intention was to let her know that I wasn’t buying her dramatics as I’d been there and knew what she was doing. Instead, I fueled a challenge.  

So often in parenting, we have to change gears, redirect our course, or start again. What worked for a time, doesn’t work any more. New issues arise. As our children grow, we have to adjust our parenting to fit their maturing minds. Yes, parenting is always moving and changing.

But new beginnings are good! It’s one of the reasons I love the month of January. I love the chance to reassess and evaluate how something can be done differently. Rather than be discouraged of what isn’t working, I get energized coming up with Plan … Z. It gives me fresh perspective, a clean slate, and new information to work from.

New beginning aren’t limited to January, although our minds gravitate to beginning again with a new year. So what in our parenting, do we need to reassess? What method isn’t working and how can we do it differently.

Rather than continue as we have been, let’s take time to see where we need to make changes in our strategies. Who knows, you might even be keyed up starting with a clean slate. It may even provide the push needed to jump start the new year!

My New Years Day tradition is to wake up before my family does. Even though it makes for a shorter night, I have something I can’t wait to do.

With a silent house, I have my quiet time and journal about the past year — ups and downs, areas of growth and thankfulness, and times of difficulty I’m eager to wave goodbye. Then I sit in solitude and prayer, while I journal thoughts about the upcoming year. I focus on goals for myself, and as a wife and mother, changes I would like to make, or new ways of doing something. It’s such a great time of reflection for me.

About the time I finish, my family wakes up. I’m ready to begin a new year — refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed.

New beginnings are wonderful. They are a fresh start, a chance to move beyond a past struggle, and a new sense of purpose and direction.

Take some time this week to reflect on last year. What transpired that you are thankful for? What difficulty did you overcome? What areas of growth did you see?

In looking at 2009, jot down some plans and goals for yourself. Not resolutions — those promises typically don’t stick. I’m referring to goals you list for yourself and your family that you wish to aim for, or perhaps a new perspective or method of doing things to strive for. Let it be your blueprint to work from this year.

So get busy, seek solitude, and journal. Happy New Beginnings!

“Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manager.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:10-14)

What a startling event for the shepherds. One minute they are tending to their sheep, and the next, angels delivered incredible news. The response? Praise. Then action as the Shepherds left their flock to find Jesus.

Whatever this holiday season brings for you, Jesus is here and that alone is reason to celebrate. Rejoice! In the midst of the hurried flurry of to-do lists, take time this Christmas to find Jesus. Seek and Celebrate!

Winter is finally here! It seemed like it would never come and Fall took up permanent residence. But Saturday evening, it snowed. Snow is the physical marking for me that winter finally arrived. We frantically raked up the plethora of leaves that blanketed our property knowing that snow was on its way that night.

As the last leaf was dropped into the bag, it began to snow. Perfect timing. Our daughter went running outside and tried to catch snowflakes on her tongue. She brought our puppy out to see her first snowfall — however, I do not think the dog was impressed.

The next morning, the idea of winter settled in nicely. I opened the blinds, and the scene before me brought a smile to my face — SNOW! Snow on the trees. Snow on the ground. Snow on the roads. SNOW!

I’m not sure what it is about the morning after an evening snowfall, but it feels so calming to me. It makes me want to snuggle in a blanket, start a fire, drink hot apple cider, and read a good book. Fresh snow means people slow down — I like that! Fresh snow means people stay in more rather than continue with their busy lives — I welcome that!

So this morning, I sit listening to my mellow Christmas music, watch my candles flicker, look out my window at the quilted covering over the ground and read a section of my bible. It’s a peaceful morning. In the midst of such hustle and bustle of the season, a morning like this is refreshing.

As I pondered the passage in the Bible I read, I thought about situations in my life where God feels silent and asked myself if I believe God could come through. It wasn’t a matter of if He could, but would He in the timing I prefer?

Isn’t that so often how we think? We focus on the when. The people of Israel waited hundreds of years for the promised Messiah. I’m sure there were many times they questioned whether it would ever come and many undoubtedly settled into the idea that God’s silence was taking up permanent residence.

But God never reneges on His promises. His timing was perfect. He sent the promised Messiah at just the right time. The excitement that stirred among everyone at that time had to be exhilarating. I’m sure some exited their homes to witness the star in the sky shining so brightly — the long awaited Savior was born! What a peace must have filled their hearts the next morning, knowing that Jesus was finally born.

The difference with my morning-after-snowfall feeling and Jesus’s birth, is that my snow melts at some point. God’s peace is everlasting!