Julia K Cole

"A day without laughter is a day wasted!" ~ Charlie Chaplin It has been said that laughter is the best medicine.  And I, for one, sincerely believe that.  I actually did a little research on this subject and discovered that there are actually physical, emotional and mental benefits to good laugh.  Many experts agree that laughter is a great stress reliever.  We all are very well aware as to what stress does to the body, not to mention your emotional & mental health.  Everything in the body gets all tense and tight.  But when you laugh, it actually induces a physical change in your body.  According to the Mayo Clinic Laughter can: Stimulate many organs.   Did you know that laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air?  It's true!  Laughter stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and it increases endorphins that are released by your brain.  Activate and relieve your stress response.  Laughter fires up and then...

Today, I will share with you a few of the things I am thankful for.  These things come from my Things I am Thankful For list.  Which I do daily.   Why?  Because every day is a day of giving thanks.  Yea, laugh and mock if you will. I know how corny it sounds.  But it's my personal belief, my way of life and how I roll.   That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So why make a list?   Helps me from leaving anything out for starters.  More importantly, it puts things in perspective.   Having a literal list allows me to actually see how much there is to be thankful for.    Speaking of which, there is so much we all take for granted.  So much we don't even think about because we're so use to having it around.  You know like running water, indoor plumbing, electricity; having a stove and refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker.  A bed, a pillow, sheets and blankets.  To name a few.      And yes! ...

  The Gratitude Gap™ happens when we fail to express appreciation for the goodness in our lives. The Gratitude Gap™  occurs when we show lack to no appreciation for the challenges, problems and pain that comes into our lives. The Gratitude Gap™ takes place whenever we show a lack of appreciation. * Lack of appreciation for things ... great or small; * Lack of appreciation of the painful things; * Lack of appreciation for anything and/or anyone we may dislike or causes us pain. The Gratitude Gap™ isn't about liking or loving everything and everyone. It's about showing appreciation for the gifts EVERYONE and EVERYTHING brings into our lives. Situations, words and deeds that enrich us in ways we never believed possible. No matter how painless or how painful they may be. Bottom line... The Gratitude Gap™ is about being thankful for every single opportunity to learn and to grow past our own short-comings. Gratitude strengthens our emotional, mental and spirit...

This is a wonderful story that should be passed around as much as possible.   SheKnows Home & Living Editor Kelli Uhrich shares her moving experience with a stranger who offered her kindness. Please share and cross post on all your Social Networks!   *~*~*~*~* Dear Stranger, Today we stood next to one another in line at the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, waiting to move through the security checkpoint. You probably don't remember me, but I will never forget you. I was the woman with the frazzled hair, the sweat-dripping brow and the large plastic bag — the latter of which was clearly unplanned. I was the woman in the back of the line who thought she had adequately prepared for her business trip but quickly discovered she hadn't. You, on the other hand, were composed, collected and early  for your flight. You owed me nothing. You didn't have to help me, but you did — and I don't know how else to say  thank-you . You see, this all began l...

I am Grateful For EVERYTHING!   The Good as well as the Bad!  The Wonderful and The Challenging.  The Best and The Worst.  And everything like that there! I Love Because I Can!  I Raise Hell whenever the opportunity lends itself!  I weeble and wobble and yes I do fall down.  But I Always get right back up!  A little slower now -- but I make it eventually! I have people in my life who Love me despite of AND in spite of my many flaws.   I have people in my life who hate me and oppose me because of my numerous short-comings.    And I LOVE THEM ALL!!!  Not because I HAVE to -- but simply because I WANT to! Even though I get really aggravated with some of the freeze dried bullshit that goes on both On and Off line --all around the world -- I am truly thankful for the experiences.   All That We Be hold Is Full of Blessings! ~ William Wordswo rth Happy Thanksg iving One & All!   ...

So What are you thankful for? Whenever I am asked this question, the first answer that pops into my head is ... I'm  thankful for not being one of these people who walk around with their head stuck up their ass! While that answer, for some, may come across as crass -- it is my sincerest  heartfelt feelings.  And I don't make any apologies for it. It is my hope  that one day,  I can say with conviction ... I am thankful there are no more people walking around with their heads up their asses! I can dream -- can't I? I could go on and on about what I am thankful for ... but I won't.  The list is enormous and  there isn't enough room on this note to list every single thing I am thankful for.   Sufficient to say ... I am one very  thankful person.  I'll be spending the last Thursday in November helping those in need.  Paying it forward by continuing my work in doing all I can to relieve the Earth of the grue...