Why we laugh at the things we do is not well understood. It must have something to do with advanced intelligence. The more intelligent we are, the more we understand relationships and anomalies and this is what humor is about. This wonderful gift can both expand the mind and relax the brain. It should be used as much as possible.
 
Don't let life hammer you into a corner. Don't take yourself too seriously. Always be willing to laugh at yourself. Humor helps us keep things in perspective. It elevates mood, relieves stress, improves optimism and just plain makes life more enjoyable. The good friends and mates we choose are usually those who help us laugh and enjoy life. Remember how popular the funny classmates were back in school. Keep this in mind if you wish to make yourself more attractive to good companions.
 
Laughter is also therapy. In fact, researchers suggest 'humor rooms' in hospitals to help people who suffer from painful and depressing degenerative conditions. One study put a group of people through group humor therapy. The subjects were exposed to funny books, records, and films, and learned to give humor high priority in their everyday lives. As a result of this unique 13-week program, their overall state of psychological well-being definitely improved.1 Humor therapy increased the general quality of life for patients and was therapeutic in relieving symptoms. Laughing also makes people more self-confident, better able to cope with symptoms, and helps them enjoy life regardless of their particular medical circumstances.2
 
Look for opportunities—movies, books, cartoons, tapes, friends—to have a chuckle and lighten the day. Laughter is even good physical exercise and tones facial and abdominal muscles too. It also releases good-mood hormones, making it very difficult to remain angry or grumpy.3 See if this doesn't lighten your day:
 
Church Bulletin Bloopers:
 
1. The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
 
2. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
 
3. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
 
4. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
 
5. The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."          
 
6. A songfest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
 
7. Pray for those sick of our church and community.
 
8. The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
 
9. Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
 
10. The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David, the sin of Reverend and Mrs. Adams.
 
11. Tuesday at 4 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
 
12. A ham and bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
 
13. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.
 
14. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
 
15. Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.
 
16. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan who are preparing for the girth of their first child.
 
17. The Lutheran Men's group will meet at 6 PM. Steak, mashed
 
potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
 
18. The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing
 
campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge—Up Yours."
 
19. Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High."
 
20. Don't let worry kill you, let the church help.
 
21. James and Rachael Sims were married last Saturday. So ends a friendship that began in Junior High.
 
22. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a bus to take them away at the south end of the parking lot.
 
23. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come
 
forward and lay an egg on the altar.
 
24. The service will close with the Little Drops of Water. One of the ladies will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.
 
25. Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
 
26. The senior choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
 
27. Attend and hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
 
28. The kids made nutritious snacks and everyone got full of them.
 
29. The dropouts from the Bible study have been cut in half.
 
30. The men's bizarre exchanges anything—mowers, bicycles, washing machines, etc.—so why not bring the wife along and get a bargain?
 
31. The toilet in the hall is out of order so please use floor below.
 
32. This evening at 7 P.M. there will be hymns in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
 
They who laugh, last.