Oh, the Places We'll Go

As one chapter closes in my life and the next has not yet opened, I am trying to choose an attitude that keeps me positive with an upbeat perspective.

As part of our wedding ceremony my husband and I read a portion of "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. We customized it for newlyweds and it is a memory that brings smiles to our faces.

Seven years later it does our hearts good to remember that life is an adventure and continues to bring us to new places. Some places are better than others, some are short in length, some are longer. All are part of our 'adventure.'

The words from "Oh, the Places You'll Go" have a lot of wisdom for life...

As we look at neighborhoods for our future home:

You'll look up and down streets. Look em' over with care. About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there." With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, You're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

When the unexpected happens:

And when things start to happen don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too.

For those in-between times:

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

When we're hesitant about stepping into our next adventure:
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Brayor Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!

I hope you can find an area of your life to apply these wise words today. And may you anticipate the next adventure awaiting you!

"The Closing"

It sounds so final, doesn't it? Ryan and Stacy are at their closing of their townhome as I write this posting! It wouldn't be so bad if 'The Opening' came right after 'The Closing,' but in their case they haven't found another home yet.

That puts them "In Between". One chapter of their life will be closed, but another one won't open for awhile. It's this 'in-between' place that is so uncomfortable. What was once 'home' is now a borrowed spot. Confidence tends to fade as there is no goal to move towards.

Not many people acknowledge their 'in-between' chapters. In fact, the 'in-betweens' aren't considered a chapter, so therefore they aren't often dealt with. Not many us know what to do with the 'in-betweens' because we are women of discipline. We are women with focus and drive. We can't afford to spend time 'in-between' because that wouldn't get us to where we are going.

But maybe it's the 'in-between' spots that allow us to hear God. When we are out of our comfort zone, away from the familiar, we can be humble and completely open to God's leading.

I've had many 'in-between' lay-overs in my life. Those were the times many well-meaning friends gave me conflicting counsel, I was tempted with different opportunities and I learned lessons the hard way. It was these 'in-between' places that made their mark on me, however. Those were the times when I prayed hard for direction, quieted myself to hear God and couldn't 'lean on my own understanding'.

'In-betweens' come in many different forms...waiting for a new home, a new job, a new baby, a spouse. Most often the 'in-between' is marked by waiting.

'Waiting-well'...is a high calling for a wise woman.
Maybe if we acknowledge the 'in-betweens' to be a legitmate chapter, we could title those chapters as 'Waiting Well'. Then perhaps, these 'in-between' times would be valued more and give the story of our life more depth and understanding.

Closing the door....one last time

Hello friends!

As I write this I am nearly falling alseep on top of my computer I am so tired. Last evening my husband and I spent the last night in our home. The both of us and our cat were just too many bodies on an air mattress :)

We got very little sleep. But it was fun for our last night at home.

I was concerned that this move was going to be very emotional for me because I have absolutely loved living in our home the past five years.

I've had a couple of good cries and I've really been trying to be intentional in recognizing that I am closing the door on this chapter of my life so it's ok to be sad and ok to grieve.

In fact, I believe it's the healthy thing to do.

Sound strange? Maybe so. But for me, this helps me understand my emotions and recognize the closing of one door and the opening of another.

As with all changes in life I think it's wise to take time to reflect and ponder rather than rush ahead quickly into what lies ahead.

So I've been reflecting on the good memories we've made in the past five years, the heartache we've experienced and the joy of spending five years growing together in our marriage.

It's with confidence that we look toward the future and trust the next door will be even better than the last.

Home Improvement...Guard Your Heart

OK, now for the fun stuff, applying what we've talked about this week!

Remember, a woman isn't wise because of what she knows, she is wise in the way in which she lives!
So just knowing we are to guard our hearts isn't enough, now we need to put some work into doing it!

For Home Improvement this weekend:

(1.)Be aware of your thoughts in a very intentional way. Tell yourself it will only be for this weekend, so you don't get lazy and give up. As a thought comes into your mind that is questionable, immediately run it through a 'filter' and REVIEW it. See if it is a thought that builds one another up or tends to make you want to tear another person down. (comparing or coveting thoughts should be filtered out here!)

2Cor 10:5 says we are to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ".

This exercise isn't for the faint-hearted. It will be like writing down all that you eat when you are on a diet. You won't believe how out of control you can be in your thought life if you are honest with yourself.

(2.)REPLACE that thought with a thought that builds up your husband in your mind. (Hint: Keep a list close-by of 10 reasons you married him in the first place!).

Not married? You will have plenty of thoughts to filter ...filter out those coveting thoughts you have of your married friends. What a wife you will make someday when you have this habit of comparing/coveting under control!

(3.)REACH-OUT to a friend and explain what you are wanting to improve on far as your thought life goes...ask her if she will hold you accountable this weekend and check up on you from time to time to see what you are thinking! Ask her to join you...we need more women guarding their hearts

(4.)REFLECT at the end of each day. Spend a minute or two thinking about what you thought about all day and see if it made a difference in your attitude and your interaction with your husband and friends. RESOLVE to think like this again tomorrow!

Romans 12:2 says; "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --His good, pleasing and perfect will."
This is God's directive...He will empower you!

Your mind will be renewed each time you implement this home improvement exercise. "Guard your heart" and continue to build your home this weekend! Enjoy

Guarding....

Barb suggested yesterday that women are to guard their hearts to keep from coveting and comparing.

One of the definitions of guard is "to keep under control or restraint as a matter of caution or prudence: to guard one's temper." I think that definition can be applied to this topic. We guard our hearts and minds by keeping them under control or restraint.

You know what I think leads to comparing and coveting? What author Linda Dillow calls, "An unholy habit of discontent." She says, "Our thought life - not our circumstances - determine whether we are content."

How can we be content in our thought life and content in our hearts if we are too busy comparing what we don't have (or a burden we do have!) or coveting what others have that we want?

I believe if we strive to capture any thought that comes our way that can be categorized as comparing or coveting, and replace it with a thought of contentment, a positive thought, we are well on our way to guarding our hearts and our thoughts.

Something to Think About

We women struggle with our thoughts...all the time! I don't think there is any of us who would deny that. We want what we cannot/do not have and we dwell on these thoughts until they become a very driving force in our lives. We are likely to act on them eventually if we do not recognize them for what they are and the danger they can bring.

In my opinion, lust and pornography is to men as comparing and coveting is to women.

A wife begins to compare her husband to other men and in her mind, he is always lacking. She may take it to the next stage and start complaining outwardly and nag him to improve. She hears herself complain to him and she starts believing what she is saying. That only confirms that she really is needing more.
This 'addiction' to wanting something better in her husband leads to more disappointment and inevitably to serious division within their marriage.

Single women do the same...wanting someone they cannot have. Only now she becomes obsessed with the notion that she must have him or her life can't go on.

The examples aren't hard to find. The solution is a different story. We hear alot about men and their additive behavior. I think if we label our behavior as additive, we may begin to get some clarity in dealing with it.

Men are encouraged to guard their eyes as a way to begin to bring accountability into their life. They are visual creatures and they know they will go down a path of no return if they don't keep blinders on.

With that said, we women, then should be encouraged and supported by one another to guard our hearts. We are much more emotional in nature and therefore need to bring our 'inner chatter' into line with what is true. We need to be accountable with one another in this area.

What are your thoughts?

All-consuming thoughts

What Barb touched on yesterday is a topic that I struggle greatly with. Sometimes I don’t even realize it, and before I know it I am comparing or coveting.

For example, on Sunday a friend told me her husband worked for hours in their yard this past weekend cutting down extra trees. Immediately I felt frustration upon hearing this news because I had wanted to clean out our garage this past weekend and it hadn’t gotten done.

Without even consciously saying, “I am so jealous of the work your husband got done,” every fiber of my being was comparing his work to the lack of work that was completed in my household.

Why do I do that? Why do I immediately compare or covet friend’s stuff, marriages, clothes, figures, personalities, life circumstances, etc, etc, etc.?

I’ve done it all my life. Those thoughts pop in my head and invade all my good thoughts. They make me fume and analyze, they reduce my self-esteem, and they lead to negativity and criticism of myself and my husband.

Comparing and coveting can be all-consuming.

We need to address it ladies. We can’t allow ourselves to live like this. Comparing and coveting ruins homes, marriages, families, friendships and relationships.

What do you covet or how do you find yourself comparing with others?

Do You Lust For Your Neighbor?

Got your attention? If this was a blog for men, I think this would be a topic of much discussion. For women, however, I am not sure.

If I asked, "Do You Lust For Your Neighbor's car or well-behaved kids or her size 4 figure or her husband's 6-figure income?"....it may trigger more interest.

While there is much talk about pornography and lust today, I think women detach themselves abit thinking that this is a man's struggle for the most part. If that is true, what does a woman struggle with daily?

I think it is coveting and/or comparison.

The 10th commandment says "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet you neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

That commandment was put in the 10 commandments for me. When I am truly honest with myself, I know coveting and comparison is one of my 'besetting sins'. No sooner do I get a new outfit, when I see my friend wear something that I think is nicer ...and I want that! I know this is a sin for me because my reaction is so consuming.

I want what I cannot or do not have.

As a Christian woman, I reign in my passion and settle for coveting 'things' rather than people. However, God made it clear in His commandments that even when I covet things, I am no better than the person lusting for someone else's wife/husband.

Something to think about...we will continue on this week.

Home Improvement...

Consider the 'high cost of quitting' in one area of your life this weekend. What one habit or task are you about to walk away from because it is just too hard? If you do fail to endure, where will you be 5 years from now when it comes to tackling that habit or task again?

Endurance means 'bearing with patience'. So be patience with yourself and just take baby steps towards mastering the task, habit or whatever it is you want to improve on in your life.

Write down what it is that you need/want to finish

Make sure it has a measureable action that you can take

Set a deadline...a date when you will review your progress

Keep raising the bar until your task is complete or your habit has become second nature.

Endurance...it is the wise woman who finishes what she starts.

Does It Make A Difference?

When things are tough and days are long, does trusting God make a difference?

When hard things happen to friends and family...does my faith make a difference?

When I am tired of 'doing good' and 'thinking well', do my beliefs make a difference?

When I am tested in ways I do not want to think about, will my hope make a difference?

I ask myself when I am beaten down or fearful, if what I believe makes a difference in how I am responding and how I am reacting and I realize...

My relationship with God as my Friend and Savior does make a difference because

I AM DIFFERENT.

Maybe not to the extent that I want to be, maybe I can't handle it all, but He can and He is making the difference within me.
It is that 'difference' that keeps me going.

Eph 4:22 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Light and truth

This morning a friend called with a family crisis that I've been praying about all day.

A few hours later another friend had a mammogram to check out a suspicious lump in her breast.

This afternoon a family friend had a court appointment to determine if he will get custody of his children.

This day has kept me on my knees and in constant conversation with the Lord. This morning I read in Psalm 43: Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me.

I'm praying for God's light and truth to prevail today. I'm praying for positive test results, decisions and conversations to take place. I'm praying for justice and truth to reign.

My husband is having a very stressful day at work and we are both a little stressed about all the details involving a move.

But you know what? In comparison to lumps and custody of your children and family emergencies....those things pale in comparison. It takes just one phone call to put everything back into perspective.

I am so thankful that we have God's Word to guide us. I am so thankful that I can pray, "Lord send forth your light and truth and may they guide each and every decision that is being made."

I am so thankful that God's light and truth gives us hope for each and every day.

I Quit!

I have uttered those words a few too many times in my life. I haven't come right out and said it most of the time...I have just given up along the way. If I could have a 'do over', I would have stuck with my piano lessons....hung onto a friendship that I thought was just too tough to work through...I would have completed my Spanish courses... and on and on my list goes.

Quitting was a choice I was making, whether it was conscious or not.

What I didn't consider was the high cost of quitting. What rubble I have left along the way because I didn't follow-through and get the job done, or repair the friendship or finish an endeavor.

Endurance is what I am aiming for these days. We talked about endurance at our Homemakers with Hope meeting last night. Endurance isn't emphasized too often in our 'instant society' because sticking with something isn't instant. Endurance means to 'bear with patience' according to my dictionary. Endurance is what Stacy is doing as she 'bears with patience' all the unknown in her move from a townhome to a house (see posting from 4/14/08)

Donna Otto, an author and speaker has a clever saying that goes something like this, "The common start, the uncommon finish". I think a wise woman may be uncommon these days, so I am going to endure abit longer and finish what I set out to do. I am going to endure.

Tomorrow?

As it stands today, my husband and I will be moving out of our town home two weeks from tomorrow. We sold our town home but haven't yet found a home to move into. We are moving into temporary housing, but we're not quite sure where that is yet. We don't know if we can move on the weekend...or if we have to wait and move on our closing date which is a Wednesday. We don't know if we need a POD or a U-Haul. We don't have a forwarding address for our mail. We can't tell people to set aside a day to help us move, because we're not sure what day that will be.

There are a lot of things we don't know about our future right now.

What about you? Do you have unknowns in your future? Whether those are this week, next week or next month? What is your list of 'don't knows' and 'unknowns?' I know there are a few of you have some big unknowns in your immediate future.

This weekend I read the following from Chuck Swindoll: "Behind the scenes, before He ever flung the stars into space, God had today in mind. He has this very week in mind. In fact, He had you in mind. And He knew exactly what He was going to do. God is never at a loss to know what He's going to do in our situations. He knows perfectly well what is best for us. Our problem is, we don't know. And we say to Him, "Lord, if you just tell me, then I'll be in great shape. Just reveal it to me. Explain Your plan to me, and I'll count on you." But that's not faith. Faith is counting on Him when we do not know what tomorrow holds.

As women striving to be wise, we will all face times when we do not know what tomorrow holds. But we can have faith that there is a God who does know our situation and He knows exactly what He's going to do in the midst of it all.

Home Improvement

What's your system for celebrating birthdays? Do you have names written on your appointment calendar? Outlook reminders on your computer? Do you rely on your good memory? Or maybe you have a birthday card calendar?

There is no right or wrong way, as long as you have a system that is working for you!

Home Improvement for this weekend is to get out your calendar, or whatever system you use, and make sure you have every person's name listed that you want to remember and celebrate...whether that's a card, a quick e-mail, gift-giving or a party. The only way to celebrate those you care about, is if you have reminders that their special day is coming so you can plan ahead!

If you have a good system for remembering to acknowledge and celebrate special days, would you please share it with us all so we can learn from you? Thanks!

Celebrating you

All week we've been talking about ways to celebrate different people in our lives. Today lets talk about celebrating....you.

That's what I'm doing today.

I'm celebrating me as I enter into my 32nd year of life. This is where you would expect to read that you should take time for yourself, get a pedicure or a massage, and relax and be good to yourself. And you should. Most definitely. But I also want to suggest a different kind of celebrating.

Barb and I love this quote: "You will be the same person in 5 years that you are today except for 2 things: the people you meet and the books you read."

Today I am choosing to celebrate that I am not the same person today that I was five years ago (or even one year ago!).

Today I am celebrating the growth I've experienced, the lessons I've learned, the life experiences I've had, the opportunities I've shared in, the people who have influenced me, the places I have visited, and the memories I have made.

I've grown a lot in the past 5 years. I've changed. I've made good choices and I've made some bad choices. I've made mistakes and I've tried to learn from those mistakes. I've experienced great joy and great heartache. And I've learned to deal with it all through the influential people in my life and the amazing books I've read. And at the top of my list would be the Lord and the book of Psalms.

I can honestly say that it feels good to know that I've grown and that I am not the same person I was.

When your next birthday rolls around can you make it your goal to celebrate yourself in a unique and meaningful way? Choose wisely who you spend time with. Choose carefully what you place before your eyes. And when your birthday rolls around, celebrate you and all that you've become.

Thanks For the Memories...

Yesterday was my friend's birthday! I have sent her a birthday card for over 50 years!!! We grew up together but weren't particularly close. Sandy lived on my block and occasionally I would play at her house and she would come over to mine. We had dogs in common. My family owned a big, beautiful collie and Sandy absolutely adored our dog.

For some reason, we just kept sending each other birthday cards as we grew up! It didn't surprise me to learn that she has become the proud owner of 5 dogs (3 collies, all at one time!).

As I sent off a card to her on Monday, I enclosed a little clipping about getting older and wrote a brief paragraph about what I was up to. I realize with each passing year how precious it is to be able to send a card off to her. Memories beyond measure fill me up as I look for her address. Abit of nostagia and wonder are written at the bottom of my card as I realize how quick the years pass and how a simple habit...sending a birthday card, has anchored me to my past and made me appreciate the fleeting years.

I am looking forward to receiving a card from Sandy in a couple of weeks when my birthday rolls around again. If someone had told me the impact of receiving a card from a friend each year, I probably would have agreed with them. If someone had told me the impact of sending a friend a card each year, I am not sure I would have understood...until I discovered for myself the treasure of sending off a card filled with memories and remembrances of my childhood, that only Sandy can appreciate.

Any chance you have a friend you may want to send a birthday card to this year...and for the next 50 years?!

Celebrate...their way

Have you heard of or read the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? The premise of the book is that we all have languages in which we prefer to show love to others and be loved ourselves.

The languages are:
Quality time
Physical touch
Words of affirmation
Gifts
Acts of service

It is incredibly valuable to know the way in which you desire to be shown love and the way in which your spouse and other family members desire to be loved.

When it comes to celebrating your spouse’s birthday, this is especially helpful. Case in point: My husband Ryan’s top two love languages are quality time and physical touch. Ryan celebrated his 32^nd birthday on March 17. On March 16 we had a get together at his parent’s house with about 11 people. We had lunch together and played the Wii all afternoon. I surprised Ryan with a gift I knew he would enjoy -- a new pair of Rollerblades! It was so fun!

I assumed that because we were all together that afternoon, that was plenty of quality time for Ryan.

Not so.

He informed me that spending time with 10 other people was not the one-on-one quality time that fills his love tank. So on Monday night, March 17, we ate dinner at home together, watched a movie and just hung out. He loved it! I wanted to go out. I wanted to do something. I wanted to celebrate him!

Turns out, I wanted to celebrate my way, not his.

His idea of celebrating was staying home and having quality time with his wife. And that's exactly what we did.

I highly recommend The Five Love Languages book (there is one written about children's love languages as well). And I especially recommend putting what you learn into practice when it comes to celebrating your husband’s birthday!

While I know my husband will enjoy his Rollerblades, and I REALLY enjoyed giving them to him because I have gift giving as a love language, I learned some good lessons this year about being mindful of how my husband wants to celebrate.

Wow…it’s only taken me 7 years!

Happy Birthday To You!

That should be one of the sweetest sounds a child can hear!
"Happy Day...you were born on this day,and the world has never been the same!"

I won't compete with web sites and books on how to put a great birthday party together for your child, but I would like to emphasize the importance of simply making your child feel like the world stood still on the day he/she was born! That's it. That is all that is really necessary from a good mom.

Take some time to process the miracle of your child's birth or adoption and have that wonderment spill over to your child as they realize how special they are to you. Taking time to count the blessings that they have brought into your life will give you the right attitude to handle the spills, interruptions, messes and expense that children create in a family.

This year try slowing down before your child's birthday approaches and take a good look at that scrapbook you created for him/her. It wasn't a masterpiece to show the world, it was a way for you to capture the miracle of your child's birthday...for you.

As you sing the "Happy Birthday" song to your child from now on, consider singing a second verse to yourself...giving thanks for all that your child has brought into your life.

Use It Up! Wear It Out! Enjoy It While You Can!

Life, that is!

I had a great coat I bought in London when I was a college student. It was expensive, but it was beautiful. I got compliments every time I wore it and it went with everything. I loved wearing it, but noticed that the lining was wearing thin, so I put it in the back of my closet intending to wear it only for special occasions. I guess I never ‘defined’ what made an occasion special, so I rarely reached for that coat. I always thought I should ‘save’ it because it was such a memory to me, I didn’t want to wear it out.
You guessed it; it lost its appeal over the years as the styles changed. I ended up giving the coat away to Good Will. It was in good shape…but now someone else would enjoy it because I was too concerned about wearing it out back when it was stylish!

Does that sound familiar to you? Well, for ‘home improvement’ this week, I challenge you to celebrate and use all your ‘good stuff’! No saving for special occasions…

Celebrate…use your best china, even with the kids (it’s time to teach them manners!)
Celebrate…wear your fancy push up bra today
Celebrate…spray on that expensive perfume
Celebrate…use twice as much bubble bath in your tub this weekend!
Celebrate…eat that dessert you’re saving in the freezer
Celebrate…write on that new stationery and use up the whole box!

Celebrate by using your stuff, enjoying your stuff, wear it all out! That means you are living in the moment and enjoying the day. You aren’t promised tomorrow…so celebrate today, celebrate your life!

So much to celebrate

Oh what fun today is! Are you celebrating today? You should be because today is...

• Find a Rainbow Day
• American Circus Day
• National Chocolate Mousse Day
• Don't go to Work unless it's fun Day (you may want to remind your boss of this!)
  

Did you know that April is full of things to celebrate? It's national frog month and straw hat month and daisy flower month and soft pretzel month and stress awareness month and grilled cheese sandwich month. How fun is that?

If you'd like to add a little fun and creativity to your home and life, check out the web sites below for some daily celebrations and holidays. Plan ahead to celebrate in a goofy way with friends, your spouse, your co-workers or your kids. Yesterday I made a chocolatey layered dessert for our Bible Study group. I have some left overs....which is the perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Mousse Day :)

Check out these sites:

Everyday is a holiday

Holidays for Everyday

This Day in History: While I think everyday celebrations are wonderful ways to enjoy the day, I think recognizing and celebrating This Day In History is not only fun, but educational as well -- especially for kids. Today the first Pony Express took off in 1860 (want to take a trip to the mailbox, kids?) and Jesse James was shot and killed (kids could dress up but also use this opportunity to talk with them about stealing).

Tomorrow in 1818 congress authorized that the American Flag would have 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars with a blue background. And Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. This could lead to some great discussion about our freedom as well as racism and how God created all of us equal.

Have fun with these celebrations...whenever or however they fit into your life and see if it doesn't give you cause to celebrate. Oh how I wish I had known that yesterday was National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day!

Celebrate...Again!

'Celebration' is defined by Webster as 'that which is done to celebrate (observe or commemorate with festivities or ceremony) anything'!!

April is off to a good start as we celebrated April Fool's Day yesterday, let's keep the joy alive.

You come to this blog to find something that will encourage you to be wise in how you live, wise in building your homes...maybe the best way is to celebrate the day! Shamelessly count your blessings and intentionally share a blessing or two with a friend today.

We share with you regularly how to organize, accomplish, learn, minister and build up...now it is time we celebrate.

Celebrate the food you eat ..by eating slowly and thanking God.

Celebrate the clothes you choose to wear today by picking something bright that says you are going to have a great day.

Celebrate the work you have to do today by doing something just a little bit different to remind yourself you have a choice.

Celebrate the abilities you have been given by sharing with one another.

Proverbs17:22 says it best,"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones".

Celebrate the fact that you have another day to celebrate!

Laughter!

Last week Ryan and I had my sister and a friend over for dinner. We were sitting at the dinner table eating and talking and our conversation led to laughing. Gut-busting, tears in your eyes, can’t talk or breathe kind of laughter.

It felt SO good!

Since it is April Fool's Day today it seems only appropriate to talk about laughter.

What makes you laugh? What makes your friends laugh? What makes your man laugh? Do you strive to make those in your home laugh? Or your co-workers or friends?

Laughter is good for us mentally, spiritually and physically. In fact, laughter is a gift from God. Job 8:21 says: "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

Here are few quotes on laughter to inspire you to make laughter a priority in your life:

We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh. - Agnes Repplier

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. - e.e. cummings

And an all-time favorite of mine: "Sexiness wears thin after awhile and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat." - Joanne Woodward

Tell a joke at dinner, watch a funny movie or sitcom with friends, or just work on those "smile" muscles. May you be blessed as you strive to bring laughter to your life today!