“Release the OLD, Receive the New!”

Isaiah 43:16-21, “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over OLD history. Be alert, BE PRESENT. I’m about to do something brand-NEW. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!…” (MSG).

If we dared to be Truthful, All of us have chapters in our lives we wish we could rewrite!  

Dr. Harold Bloomfield says, ‘Unresolved emotional pain wreaks havoc on your immune system, cardiac function, hormone levels, and other physical functions. We Must Make Peace With Our Past Because Our Life May Literally Depend On It.‘

Since Getting Past Our Past is so Vital to Our Future, let’s look at a few things to Aid Us in Our Recovery.

To Get Past Your Past You Must:

1. RE-FRAME IT: The picture itself can’t be changed, But the Frame Can! So Determine to See It Differently, view it with a Better Perspective. Begin by asking: ‘How did it make me Stronger? What do I know now that I didn’t know then?’ And don’t focus on what you lost either, but only on what you’ve gained! A good friend taught me: “Look good and long through your windshield, but only glance through your rear-view”. Why? There’s always so much More in Front of you, than behind you! Rear-view mirrors are small (So Only Small Stuff is Behind You); your Windshield on the other hand, is Big and Wide and Focused Only on what’s Ahead, (That’s Your Future!). In other words, Learn to Obey the Word of God: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!…” (Isaiah 43:16-21 MSG).

2. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GUILT AND SHAME: Guilt is feeling bad about What You’ve Done – it’s Healthy; Shame is feeling bad about Who You Are – it’s Toxic and Debilitating! Whether we choose to admit it or not, All of us have things we’d like to change about ourselves, but keep in mind, when God created us He “…saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was Very Good (Suitable, Pleasant) and He Approved it Completely…‘ (Genesis 1:31 AMP). So, start seeing yourself as He sees you! In the words of the Men’s Warehouse commercial: “You’re gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it.”

3. STOP PUNISHING YOURSELF WITH THE ‘IF ONLY’S’: After stumbling badly and having God pick him up, David wrote, ‘BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has Forgiveness of His Transgression Continually Exercised Upon Him, Whose Sin is Covered. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord Imputes No Iniquity and In Whose Spirit There Is No Deceit.‘ (Psalm 32:1-2 AMP). Saints, Forgive Yourself; God Has! Because He sees you through the cross, you are ‘Accepted‘! (“to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He Made Us Accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6 NKJV). As holy as He is, if He’s ‘Accepted’ you (All of You), Who Are You to Argue With His Final Decision?!

4. MOVE FROM PAIN TO GAIN: Healing takes time, so expect some anger, fear and sadness. Don’t Disown Them; They’re Part of the Process! But Don’t Adopt Them Either; Know When It’s Time to Move On! You Can’t Walk Backwards Into the Future, and the Future God has in mind contains more happiness than any past you can remember! “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit …” 1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP) And as the “Temple” of God, you need to daily remind yourself of the promise He made to another one of His Temples: “This Temple is going to end up Far Better Than It Started Out, a glorious beginning But An Even More Glorious Finish: a place in which I Will Hand Out Wholeness And Holiness…” (Haggai 2:9 MSG). However good, bad or ugly your past was, Your Future Is Guaranteed to be an Even More Glorious Finish Because You Are The TEMPLE of the Living God! And His Promise To His TEMPLE Is Secure!

5. ACCEPT WHAT HAPPENED: If You Don’t, You’ll Keep Reliving It! While working in the Congo as a missionary, Helen Roseveare was brutally raped. Writing about it she says, ‘I must ask myself, “Can I Thank God For Trusting Me With This Experience, Even If He Never Tells Me Why?”‘ The secret of trust doesn’t lie in Answers; It Lies In Acceptance! It’s knowing that in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening or will happen, God Is In Control! Either you fix your mind on that and determine to live again, or go through life feeling like you’ve never really lived at all! Helen Roseveare was able to move past her past of rape, Tamar on the other hand…Never Did! “Oh no, brother,” she said. “Please! This is an even worse evil than what you just did to me!” But he wouldn’t listen to her. He called for his valet. “Get rid of this woman. Get her out of my sight! And lock the door after her.” The valet threw her out and locked the door behind her. She was wearing a long-sleeved gown. (That’s how virgin princesses used to dress from early adolescence on.) Tamar poured ashes  on her head, then she ripped the long-sleeved gown, held her head in her hands, and walked away, sobbing as she went. Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon had his way with you? Now, my dear sister, let’s keep it quiet—a family matter. He is, after all, your brother. Don’t take this so hard.” Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s home, bitter and desolate.” (2 Samuel 13:18-20 MSG). How do you go from being a Kingdom Daughter of David to being a Kingdom Daughter of Desolation? The word 'desolate' is defined as 'giving an impression of bleak and dismal emptiness; utterly wretched and unhappy.' It's Latin Origin 'desolare' means 'abandon' from 'solus' meaning 'alone'. That is a brutal stark contrast from Helen Roseveare! Yet, many of you, just like Tamar, have yet to Get Past It! And so you’ve settled for allowing life to simply pass you by! Like Tamar, never again to be heard of. Her name is no longer mentioned. Her garments torn. Her suffering done in solitary confinement. No release. No freedom. Shackled in her mind, by the chains of an abusive past attack on her body! Listen: You don’t have to condone it or broadcast it, But You Have to Get Past It! The Kingdom has need of you, and you can be of no service to it locked away in a House of Past Hurts!  My Name continues to be heard today because I refused to allow a teenage rape to rob me of my identity as a Kingdom Daughter! Yes, it took many years, and lots of counsel and forgiveness to Get Past It, But I Did…and So Can You! Regardless to what your “IT” was, refuse to be like Tamar and forever live in the bondage of Past abuse! Yes, She ripped her gown, But That Didn’t Destroy It! Sow it back together again, and move on! Wash those ashes off your head, Your King Has Provided You With “…a crown of beauty Instead of ashes, the oil of joy Instead of mourning, and a garment of praise Instead of a spirit of despair…” (Isaiah 61:3 NIV). From that Scripture, my new favorite word is “INSTEAD”! It simply means “In Place Of” How Awesome Is That?! Whatever the “IT” was that brought you “ashes”; “mourning” and “despair”, Your King Has taken His “Crown of Beauty”; “Oil of Joy”; and “Garment of Praise”; and put it “In Place Of”! Now that’s shouting material right there! People of God, Accept What Happened…Once and For All…Then Finally, Totally, and Completely…Release It!

6. YOU MUST BURY THE PAST OR LIVE WITH ITS GHOSTS: Rehashing Old Hurts Is Like Watching the Same Movie Over and Over, Hoping for a Different Ending! It’s Not Going to Happen! Learn From It and Move On! You Don’t Drown by Falling Into the Water, You Drown by Staying There! Peter denied Jesus three times, although a repeat offender, he finally got it right and preached his best sermon! David was a repeat offender, and yet he recovered each time and maintained his kingdom! So Stop Counting Your Bones! Those That Matter, Don’t Care, and Who Cares About Those Who Don’t Matter?! Just pick ‘em up and throw ‘em out! Think about it: When someone dies, people don’t spend the rest of their lives hanging out in the cemetery, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at the gravesite! NO! You go to the cemetery, bury what has died and leave! Bury that stuff, and leave it alone! “Jesus Refused. “First Things First. Your Business is Life, Not Death. Follow Me. Pursue Life.” (Matthew 8:22 MSG).

7. GET OUT OF THE BLAME GAME: Blame Is a Waste of Time! When you blame yourself you multiply guilt and shame, chain yourself to the past, and increase your already low self-esteem! When you blame God you cut yourself off from His power, doubt replaces trust, and you put down roots of bitterness that make you cynical! When you blame others you add to the distance between them and you, and lose the only option that works – Forgiveness! Instead, trust God’s Promise to you: “And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).” (Revelation 21:5 AMP).

Listen, if you are under the faulty impression that you alone have a jacked-up past, might I give you a brief bible study from the family of Jesus? Now, most families like to keep their family secrets a secret. Yet amazingly, you’ve barely dipped a toe into Matthew’s gospel when you realize that Jesus Hails From a Less-Than-Perfect Family! Rahab was a Jericho harlot. Grandpa Jacob was slippery enough to warrant an electric ankle bracelet. David had a personality as irregular as a Picasso painting – one day writing Psalms, another day seducing his captain’s wife. One day dancing before the Lord with all his might, another day plotting pre-meditated murder. But did Jesus erase their names from the family tree? Absolutely Not! Why did He hang His family’s dirty laundry on the neighborhood clothesline? Because Your Family Has Secrets Too! A cousin with a prison record. A dad who left and never came home. A crack-head brother. A promiscuous sister. A drunk father. A beaten mother. A dead-beat baby daddy. A sorry baby momma. An uncle who ran away with a co-worker. Come on, if the truth be told, some of our lists are even longer more complicated than that! In other words, Jesus Held On To the Nuts in His Family Tree, Surely You Can Hold On To Yours, Even if YOU are the Biggest Nut! You see, if Jesus, the Savior, the Son of the Living God, was attached to some crazy people, most of whom where His family members, what makes you think you, your past, or your family is to be any different?

And just in case you need some more encouragement, here it is: Paul was the chief of sinners; Gideon was a scaredy cat; Peter was a liar; Moses was angry; Miriam was jealous; Rebekah was manipulative; Rachel & Leah were rival sisters sleeping with the same husband and bargaining for nights of sex; Abigail was married to a fool; Eli was a leader who couldn’t get his own sons to follow; Elijah was suicidal; Solomon had more women then a New York pimp; David was too dumb to realize he was the answer to Nathan’s riddle; Cain took sibling rivalry past anything seen on Jerry Springer; Amnon raped his own sister; Absalom tried to take the throne from his own father; Judah slept with his own daughter in law, who he thought was a prostitute, when in fact she set him up with her own CSI evidence; Josephs’ brothers wanted him dead over a coat and a dream and Saul had the personality of Sybil. And you think you got problems?!          

And yet, inspite of all these Nuts in the family tree, We’re All Still Apart of the Family, and God Has Not Erased Our Name, But In Fact Took the Time to Write It In the Lamb’s Book of Life!

One of the greatest things you can do for yourself is to get past your past. If Jesus can accept the mess He has in His genealogy, and He’s the Son of God, surely you can accept yours. It doesn’t matter what you did, who you did it with, how long you did it, or where you did it – the fact of the matter is God is more concerned with your end then your beginning. He’s more concerned by how you finish then how you started. You are a part of the family of God, and nothing in your past can remove you from the family tree. 

Keep In Mind: If the Divine had nuts in His family tree, what made you think you’d only have beautiful fruit?!

People of God, this is a New Day, a New Month, and soon we’ll be embarking on a New Year. Do you really want to bring the OLD into your NEW? Do you really want to keep carrying unnecessary baggage? Do you really want to continue being Overweight, carrying around all those extra Pounds of Guilt, Shame, Regret, Defeat, Depression, Fear, and Embarrassment? I think not. So, let today be the day you Begin Again. Let it all go, and go forward! The only reason you’re constantly seeing the same-ole-same-ole is because you keep spending so much time walking backwards into your past. Why not start today by looking in the direction your going…Forward! Truth be told, what’s coming is so much better than what’s been. And your future is bigger, better and greater than the mere momentary experiences of your past. Get ready to experience NEW! Forgive yourself, forgive them, and move forward, your future can’t wait to meet you! It’s in high anticipation of your expected arrival! Don’t let it or yourself down! Get Past Your Past and Move Forward Into a Future That God Assures Has Great Plans, Hope and Promise!

Jeremiah 29:10-11, “This is God’s Word on the subject…I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (MSG)

“It’s difficult to attract new and better things into your life if you keep hanging on to the stories that no longer serve you. When we do that, it’s like we’re putting up a barrier between us and what we really want. Release and allow yourself to fully Receive the goodness that is coming your way, Now!” (Rebekah Stephenson)

“Today I choose to: receive the healing; receive the release; receive the peace; to embrace the brand new me.” (Judy Thotho)

“I release all things from the past year that has caused any negative attachment. I prepare and welcome new changes, new lessons and new adventures. I welcome new opportunities to grow emotionally, mentally and spiritually.” (Pinterest)

“Release bitterness, forgive those who have hurt you, let go of disappointment, and start living in faith.” (Billy Cox)

“Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.” (Pinterest)

“Let today be the day you finally release yourself from the imprisonment of past grudges and anger. Simplify your life. Let go of the poisonous past and live the abundantly beautiful present…today.” (Dr. Steve Maraboli)

“Release the Past; Capture the Present; and Embrace the Future.” (Billy Cox)

“You leave old habits behind by starting out with the thought, ‘I release the need for this in my life.” (Dr. Wayne W. Dyer)

“In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life.” (Mary Manin Morrissey)

“Forgive yourself first. Release the need to replay a negative situation over and over again in your mind. Don’t become a hostage to your past by always reviewing and reliving your mistakes. Don’t remind yourself of what you should have, could have or would have been. Release it and let it go. Move on.” (Les Brown)

“I now gently release the grip of anger and rage; sorrow and suffering; shame and guilt from every fiber of my mind, heart and being.” (Iyanla)

“Are you holding onto emotional baggage? It is time to get to the root of the problem. You have the right to set yourself free.” (Wendy Nicole Anderson)

“Don’t let past relationships and old mistakes ruin your future. Don’t let someone or something that didn’t make it in your life continue to hurt you. If you do, you’re still giving a portion of your life to something that no longer exists – it’s like letting your happiness slip into a black hole. Learn the lesson, release the pain, and move on. Scars remind us of where we have been, not where we are headed.” (Positive Outlooks)

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

“Lighten Up!”

Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful disposition is good for your health…”
 

How’s your sense of humor these days? Be honest now!
 

Well, to give you a heads up as to the direction this is going, Jesus said, “…unless you turn and become like CHILDREN…” (Matthew 18:3 ESV) In a nutshell: Today, find your inner child and don't lose him/her again!
 

Anne Klein, an expert on healing through humor, reminds us that children laugh about four hundred times a day and adults just fifteen. And believe it or not, you pay a hefty price for every moment of laughter you miss or forfeit! Truth is, when you Lack Laughter, your spirit breaks, you lose your vitality and shrivel up emotionally!  
 

Consider This: Have you ever been in a sweet mood…and then walks in a sour puss?! And just their very presence alone makes you miserable? I’ve been in that place many times before, and would even walk out the room as soon as Sad Sally and Miserable Milton walked in! Think about it: Who wants to be in the presence of someone who is always complaining, always pessimistic, always negative, always murmuring, always miserable, always angry, always depressed? Always argumentative? Always combative? The answer: NOBODY!!! Life is hard enough for people to deal with every day, let alone to deal with it AND other folks sad stories too…It’s Just Too Much! Being honest with you, there are some people I simply want to ask, “Do you EVER smile?”; “Do you EVER laugh?”; “Do you EVER have a good day?”; “Do you EVER have a good report?”; “Do you EVER have a good night? Or at least a good minute or moment?” EVER?!
 

Truth is: It’s aggravating listening to someone complain about their money on Monday, their teenagers on Tuesday, their worries on Wednesday, their troubled marriage on Thursday, their fight with their best friend on Friday, their stupid sibling on Saturday and even their sorry church service on Sunday! Who Can Possibly Be Miserable 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 12 Months a Year and dare we ask about your last miserable Decade?! And this has nothing to do with those who suffer with clinical depression, no, this has everything to do with those who have deliberately decided to daily have a dreary disposition! Far too many Christians are walking around in a daily despondent funk! That word 'despondent' is defined as, 'to be in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.' Its Latin Origin 'despondere' literally means 'to give up or abandon.' Saints, this should never be descriptive of the joy-filled people of God whom our God has given Unspeakable Joy as a Gift! We are to be the epitome of hop and courage always!
 

People of God, WE Have Every Reason To Be Joyful! No Matter What Takes Place In This World, It Is Not Our Permanent Home! We Don’t Stay Here! We Have the Hope of Heaven So Why Are We Miserable As Hell?!
 

Seriously, No One Walks Up To a Woman With a Frown On Her Face To Say You Look Beautiful Just Like That, Don’t You Ever Smile Again! No One Walks Up to a Man And Says You Look Mad Enough To Put a Hole In a Wall…Want To Go On a Date?! Are you crazy?! Nobody Finds a Frowning Face Attractive! It Is Your Worst, Not Your Best Feature! Yes, life is hard, finances are a struggle, marriage can often be the nightmare you never dreamed it would be, children can push you to drop them off at the nearest shelter, coworkers can cause you to think twice about locking them in the supply closet over the weekend and even church can sometimes make you want to turn your television into your Pastor and your Pajamas into the congregation and stay home having pity-party platform services all day long! Saints, I get it! I got you! Life Is a Big Burdensome Pill to Swallow some days….But Seriously…All 365 Days?! Or should I say 366, because some are even miserable on a leap year!
 

Listen to this: Laughter has proven to have an immediate effect on your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, muscle and brain activity. It even influences how your body handles disease by activating your immune system. In Other Words: Do you understand that your Lack of Humor Is Destroying Your Health?! I’m a firm believer that most folks don’t need a pill, a doctor, or even a touch from Jesus…They Just Need to Put a Smile on Their Sickening Face! Is that Harsh? YEP! Do I care? NOPE! Why? Because, the Word of God Is Still True: “…you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you” (John 8:32 MSG) The reason you’re Still Miserable is because folks won’t tell you the truth about you! Oh yeah, they’ll grin in your face and yet talk about you like a dog as soon as you turn your back! “I hate being around her…he’s so miserable…uh oh look who’s coming…why is she always crying…why is he always angry…” Therefore, since no one is telling you the truth, to your face might I add, you think you are doing just fine! WRONG! Truth is, we don’t have to see your face, we can just hear someone mention your name in the distance and get to running in the opposite direction!
 

Challenge: Pay attention to the response you get from people when you approach them. If they always walk away immediately, or quickly, (you know, such as they have something to do right now that they didn’t have to do until you walked up), there is a problem with YOU sweetie! And you need to address it! You Probably Hate Me For That One…But Know That I Love You To Life and Will Always Help You Do Better and Be Better! And the first place we’re going to start is getting that ugly scowl off your face!  

Listen to what the Bible says, “A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life…” (Proverbs 14:30 TLB); “A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face…” (Proverbs 15:13 MSG); “…for the happy heart, life is a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15 NLT); “A cheerful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22 NLT) The Message Bible says it like this: “A cheerful disposition is good for your health…” (MSG). If a pill could do all that for you, wouldn’t you take it?! Well, look at it this way, you need a check-up! Exam your face, if you don’t see a smile on it, put one there…ASAP! Why? Because “A cheerful disposition is good for your health…”

You want to live longer? Put a smile on your face before your frown kills you!
 

And just like there are germs, viruses and diseases that are Contagious…your miserable face is just as catchy and trust…no one wants to get caught by it!
 

Another Challenge: I call this “The Inner Circle Test” Find 1 person on your job, 2 people in your family (one adult one youth), 1 person in your church, and 1 person who's a friend that does not attend your church who you trust to tell you the absolute truth, straight with no chaser! Remember: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6 AMP). Once you’ve found your inner circle folks, ask them simply to rate your joy level from 1-10 (with 1 being the worst and 10 the best). Be Prepared, This Has Helped Many…But It Certainly Hurt Many First! However, these numbers will help you to see if you’re in fact joyful a good amount of the time, joyful sometimes, never joyful, or worse, joyful depending on where you are and who you’re around! Listen carefully to what your trusted inner circle has to say and then change accordingly! Again, it may hurt, but it will help!
 

Truth is: Life should be enjoyed, not simply endured! And believe it or not, but your miserable disposition has a lot of people enduring you, but not enjoying you!
 

Chuck Swindoll says, “Laughter is a God-Given escape hatch…a safety valve…to lack a sense of humor is a serious deficiency.” He also points out that a healthy sense of humor is defined by the ability to laugh at your own mistakes, to accept justified criticism and get over it, to interject (or at least enjoy) wholesome humor in the middle of tense situations, and control statements that would be unfit, even though they may be funny.
 

Theologian Helmut Thielecke wrote, “Lines of Laughter about the eyes are just as much marks of faith as lines of care and seriousness. The church is in a bad way when it banishes laughter and leaves it to the cabaret, the nightclub and the toastmasters.”
 

So, Set Your Watch, Because: “There is a time to…to laugh…” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLV) And That Time For You My Friend Is NOW!
 

A recent medical study determined that one of the primary reasons we can’t cope with the stresses of life is because we don’t laugh enough. Health experts say we need at least twelve laughs every day just to stay healthy!
 

Dr. James Kennedy wrote, “The world has believed the lie that God is mean and narrow, a killjoy who thwarts our happiness. Even more tragic, is how many Christians have succumbed to this lie. They walk around with sad countenances and sorrowful attitudes. What picture of Christianity does this present? Have you believed the lie? Do you worry about having “too much fun”, afraid if you enjoy yourself God will swoop down and zap you? Nothing could be further from the truth…Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that My Joy may remain in you, and that your Joy may be full” (John 15:11 NKJV). Through His sacrifice Jesus made Joy available to the world. With that said, can people honestly and consistently see His Joy in you? If they do, they’ll want some of it.”
 

Wow, Who Knew Joy Could Be The Best Witnessing Tool?
 

Listen: If you were raised in a home without laughter, your life may be out of balance.  Which may explain the generational curse of misery you’ve carried into your family lineage to your children who can count on one hand how many times a month you actually, genuinely laugh! Understand this, I don’t care who did what or how they did it in the household you were raised in…but if it Lacked Laughter…Break the Curse and Cycle NOW! Children raised in miserable homes rear children raised in miserable homes!
 

Parents: Let your children see you smile and laugh! Yes, even when the bills are due! Truth is, you didn’t have the money with the frown and you won’t have it smiling, but at least, according to Scripture, you’ll be in good health with the smile! Seriously, let your children see you do something silly, I promise you, if my children didn’t have to see me do anything else silly for the rest of their natural born lives, they’ve already seen enough!
 

Don’t raise children who think you only get older to get married, have kids, work a dead-end job, pay bills and die in debt! Let them SEE your JOY…Often!
 

People of God, despite what you’ve heard, seen, or been taught or told: Laughter is NOT frivolous, irresponsible and carnal, it’s Liberating!
 

“It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. We LAUGHED, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations – “God was wonderful to them!” God was wonderful to us; we are one HAPPY people” (Psalm 126:1-3 MSG). This is how prisoners who are released into freedom are supposed to behave!  And last I checked we were once prisoners: “CHRIST HAS SET US FREE TO LIVE A FREE LIFE. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you” (Galatians 5:1 MSG) With that said, since you’re FREE, where’s your JOY? Why aren’t you LAUGHING? Why aren’t you SINGING? Why don’t you CELEBRATE YOUR GOOD FORTUNE? Like the exiles, you are the TALK OF NATIONS…the WHOLE WORLD is amazed by how wonderful God is to you, SO WHY ARE YOU NOT A HAPPY PEOPLE?
 

Saints, Laughter acts like a shock absorber; it helps get you over the potholes of life. So make sure to always take Joy on your Journey!
 

The Bible says, “…The Joy of the Lord is your Strength” (Nehemiah 8:10) People of God, when you can laugh in the midst of your troubles, you grow stronger through your struggles!
 

In closing, people ask me why do I smile all the time? Why am I always laughing and happy? Well, in a nutshell: when you can survive molestation, rape, addictions, 3 suicide attempts, a heart-valve disorder, domestic violence, homelessness with 2 toddlers, and a periodontal gum disease that threatened to steal my smile away…and yet it has maintained itself…there’s simply not much else that can make you frown!
 

So Live Simply, Love Always, and Laugh Often! I am a Dr. after all and therefore, I approve of this prescription! (Smile...)
  

Today, Do Yourself and Others a Huge Favor and Determine To Sweeten Your Bitter Side! Seriously Church…Lighten Up! Find the kid in you that still wants to come out and play and let them be free! Why are you holding your happy hostage?!

“Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function. Laughter releases endorphins and other natural mood elevating and pain-killing chemicals, improves the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to internal organs. Laughter boosts the immune system and helps the body fight off disease, cancer cells as well as viral, bacterial and other infections. Being happy is the best cure of all diseases!” (Patch Adams)

“Benefits of laughing: reduces chances of heart disease; natural pain killer; improves breathing; helps you lose weight; gives good sleep; decreases stress; makes you look young; boosts relationships. There’s no reason not to laugh!” (Author Unknown)

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” (Audrey Hepburn)

“Laugh! The body heals with play; the mind heals with laughter; and the spirit heals with joy.”

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” (Irish Proverb)

“Always laugh when you can, it is a cheap medicine.” (Lord Byron)

“I have not seen anyone dying of laughter, but I know millions who are dying because they are not laughing.” (Dr. Madan Kataria)

“There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” (Erma Bombeck)

“If you’re not laughing, you’re not living.” (Robin Plemmons)

“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” (Mark Twain)

“People who laugh actually live longer than those who don’t laugh. Few persons realize that health actually varies according to the amount of laughter.” (James J. Walsh)

“Laughter is the sound of the soul dancing.” (Jarod Kintz)

“Humor is a great way to lighten any atmosphere, and laughing is a surefire way to brighten your outlook.” (J. Fischer)

“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.” (Abraham Lincoln)

“That ability to laugh at myself takes me from being a victim to being a victor.” (Annie Keys)

“Laughter is the fireworks of the soul.” (Josh Billings)

“The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed.” (Bennett Cerf)

“Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.” (Thomas Mann)

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” (Charles Dickens)

“There is little success where there is little laughter.” (Andrew Carnegie)

“Smiling is good for the heart, laughing is good for the soul and loving will keep you living, laughing and smiling.” (Paul Chucks)

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” (Victor Hugo) 

“Laughter is an instant vacation.” (Milton Berle)

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” (Charlie Chaplin)

“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive.” (Bill Cosby)

“You can’t deny laughter when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.” (Stephen King)

“The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” (Marjorie Pay Hinckley)

“I am especially glad of the divine gift of laughter; it has made the world human and lovable, despite all its pain and wrong.” (W.E.B. Du bois)

“Laugh loudly, laugh often, and most important, laugh at yourself.” (Chelsea Handler)

“In a world of regret, sacrifice and hardship, laughter and music are medicine.” (Immortal Technique)

“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it.” (Charlie Chaplin)

“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” (Walt Disney)

“Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.” (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

“I live a very joyful life, with a lot of laughter and good times.” (Kimberly Elise)

“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” (Mark Twain)

“When you awaken love and laughter in your life, your mind lets go of fear and anxiety, and your happy spirit becomes the healing balm that transforms every aspect of your human experience.” (Jesse Dylan)

“A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have.”

“Life is too short for fake butter, cheese, or people.”

“Most of the things that we desire in life are expensive. But truth is that the things that really satisfy us are absolutely free: Love, Joy, and Laughter.”

“If it makes you giggle, then do it again and again.”

“Laugh – even if you have to force it. The mere action of laughing releases endorphins, and makes you healthier.”

“The best laugh is the one that makes you feel like you just did 100 sit-ups.”

“Strong people make as many mistakes as weak ones do. But the strong ones admit their mistakes, laugh about it and learn from it.”

“Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can’t change.” 

“Laugh out loud; follow your heart; enjoy the little things.”

“Live every moment; laugh every day; love beyond words.” 

“A good laugh recharges your battery.”

“Life is too short to be serious all the time. So, if you can’t laugh at yourself, call me…I’ll laugh at you.”

“Life is better when you’re laughing.”

“Laughing is, and will always be, the best form of therapy.”

“Always find a reason to laugh. It may not add years to your life, but it will surely add life to your years.”

“Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.”

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.”


Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)