WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The Covid-19 pandemic is responsible for the cancellation of many of the usual summer events throughout St. Joe County. The annual Water Festival in Three Rivers is one example. The Farmers’ Market is one of the latest. Usually held every Thursday in Scidmore Park, the Farmers’ Market always had plenty of home-grown vegetables, plus other non-food items available for purchase. To quote the many Detroit Tigers fans, “Wait till next year!”
We all know someone we consider to be sensitive. One must be careful what you say to them, for they are very likely to take it the wrong way. If you say the wrong thing, the chances for forgiveness are great. Shannon L. Alder probably has the best description of people who are sensitive. Shannon says, “Sensitive people are the most genuine and honest people you will ever meet. There is nothing they won’t tell you about themselves, if they trust your kindness. However, the moment you betray them, reject them or devalue them, they will end the friendship. They live with guilt and constant pain over unresolved situations and misunderstanding. They are tortured souls that are not able to live with hatred or being hated. This type of person needs the most love can give them, because their soul has been constantly bruised by others. However, despite the tragedy of what they have to go through in life, they remain the most compassionate people worth knowing and the ones that often become activists for the broken-hearted, forgotten and misunderstood. They are angels with broken wings that only fly when loved.”
We all laugh at one time or other. Some laugh heartily, while others more or less just chuckle. I’ve noticed that when women laugh, they hold their hand over their mouth. I have no idea why they do this. Laughing is good. Laughter reduces the Stress Response. When you laugh there’s a contraction of muscles, which increases blood flow and oxygenation. This stimulates the heart and lungs, and triggers the release of endorphins that help you to feel more relaxed both physically and emotionally.
What happens when we laugh? We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. Also, researchers have found that laughter appears to burn calories. A small study proved that by laughing for ten to fifteen minutes, you could easily burn up to fifty calories. A good reason to get Out and About and visit a comedy club. A word of advice for the men out there. Please don’t tell your wife that the two of you are going out to see a funny movie, so that she might lose a few pounds.
Another laughter-study revealed that the first laughter in babies appears at about three to four months of age, long before we’re able to speak. Laughter, like crying, is a way for a preverbal infant to interact with the mother and other care caregivers.
There should be more laughter in today’s world. We need to step back and forget about being so politically correct. Laugh more and love more. Wouldn’t it be a more beautiful world?
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.” ~ John Ruskin
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
