We all play a role to give and receive kindness, caring and love. How does it feel to smile, to laugh with someone, to receive a compliment or encouraging word from a loved one, a teacher or colleague, or even from a friendly person you haven’t talked to before? For most, these moments of connection are simple tools to spread happiness.
So, let’s challenge ourselves to connect – to make time for genuine moments, be present, smile, laugh, find ways to make others feel special or valuable, and give freely the gifts that God has given us. In today’s Wellness Wednesday, we get a glimpse of the how laughter sparks connection and spreads happiness.
“Laughter, song, and dance create emotional and spiritual connection; they remind us of the one thing that truly matters when we are searching for comfort, celebration, inspiration, or healing; We are not alone.” (Brene Brown)
Try this:
As a class, group, or family:
- Watch the video from Warriors for Joy called “Spreading Laughter on a Subway – Contagious Happiness!” about spreading laughter and contagious happiness https://youtu.be/DCSt-FFinmA (1:27).
- After, talk about what happened while you watched the video.
- For most people, they smiled, started laughing, and felt joyful. Laughter is one of the easiest and best ways to spark a connection and spread happiness and joy.
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
What moments of connection could you invite or create for yourself and others each day?
Connecting to our faith:
“You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn. If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, ’The Lord has done great things for them’”. (Psalm 126:2)
Further Learning:
- Children’s book: “What Does It Mean to Be Present?” by Rana DiOrio
- Article: “How Laughter Brings Us Together” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_laughter_brings_us_together
- Article: “The present moment as Catholics + St. Faustina’s Prayer for the Present Moment” www.holyandhealthycatholic.com/blog/2018/5/19/the-present-moment
Employees of LDCSB check out WorkLifeHealth from EAP Provider Morneau Sheppell
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