{"id":1548,"date":"2015-02-10T10:37:18","date_gmt":"2015-02-10T10:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1548"},"modified":"2015-02-06T18:45:34","modified_gmt":"2015-02-06T18:45:34","slug":"tlc-tuesday-learning-to-laugh-at-ourselves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2015\/02\/tlc-tuesday-learning-to-laugh-at-ourselves.html","title":{"rendered":"TLC Tuesday: Learning to Laugh – At Ourselves!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>There’s no way around it – if we want to be happier, we have to laugh more. And the best way to start is with ourselves!<\/p>\n

Over the past few years, I’ve watched the body of research around the health benefits of laughter grow. Besides releasing positive hormones that create more of a sense of well-being, laughter can have positive effects on just about any aspect of our lives. Think about it – doesn’t the world seem better when you laugh?<\/p>\n

Of course, laughter shouldn’t be cruel or made at the expense of someone else’s feelings. Laughter that is base and tinged with nastiness doesn’t lift anyone up or promote kindness and joy.<\/p>\n

But laughter that uplifts, that allows us to see the quirky side of life and that helps us not take ourselves so seriously that we forget how beautiful and wonder-ful this world and life are – that’s the kind of laughter I try to get more of each day. And, yes, at at least one point during the day, there is something about myself that I just have to laugh at.<\/p>\n

Make fun of? No. Just shake my head, chuckle and smile, embrace with warmth and a light laugh. That’s the kind of uplifting moment I mean.<\/p>\n

Finding the hint of funny about our lives helps us balance those times that are harder and heart-wrenching. It also brings out the oh-so-human side of us and helps us better appreciate God’s greatness.<\/p>\n

Today, take a moment to laugh. Let the sound ripple around you as beautiful music. Because it is – and you are – blessedly human!<\/p>\n

Joy and peace,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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