Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

I love watching babies giggle. From such tiny little bodies comes belly-filled laughter. When Hannah was little, her sign of a true belly-filled laugh was hiccupping. Once she started hiccupping, I laughed harder and so did she. Now at eleven, with a great laugh still come hiccups.

My husband’s sense of humor is very subtle and dry. When we first started dating, I didn’t get his humor. By the time he explained it, it wasn’t as funny. I get it now, but no one laughs harder at his humor than he does.

I just laugh loud. I can’t help it. I just do. When at a dinner theater, the cast always appreciated my attendance because they could hear me laughing and felt my support. (I’m not sure those next to me cared for it though.) A few years ago, I met someone who matches me in the laughter-decibel level. We’ve gotten some of the same looks!

Life is full of discouraging news, devastation, busyness, and stress. One day flows into the next without much time for afterthought. Chauffer. Employee. Disciplinarian. Cook. Teacher. Entertainer. Maid. Homework Director. Organizer. Just keeping up with the rhythm of life proves to be a challenge. But life without laughter adds to the monotony.

Laughter breaks up the day’s stress. It shrinks anger and melts anxiety … even if for a moment. When belly-filled laughter takes hold, everything else dissipates.

Tell a joke. Style your hair goofy just for your kid’s sake. Play charades. Reminisce about life’s hilarious moments. Tickle someone. Spend one day smiling at everyone you see.

Just schedule some laughter in your day if you must.

Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. ~Josh Billings