Have a Good Laugh!

Today is World Laughter Day! So let's all laugh. Ready? One. Two. Three. LAUGH! Mark Hare, columnist with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle quotes Joellen Kuhl, certified laughter yoga teacher (by day a financial analyst at the University of Rochester):

It doesn't matter if you laugh for real or not.

In Rochester, NY, a laughter club meets every Sunday afternoon. I think there might be something to this. We're supposed to laugh while driving or when having a particularly stressful day with the kids. It eases tension and improves the mood.

Here's an idea. When we read this, we can just start laughing! Or here's another good one! There all over the place! See what we've been missing! This is really hilarious!

What is all this guffawing? It's just that wild and crazy guy, Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, that gas company that is drilling Pennsylvania to within an inch of its life. You see, in 2008 when his employees and investors were taking a beating, he got a huge $77 million dollar bonus on top of $23 million dollars in shares, salary, and other perks. Why did McClendon receive these things? As a reward for superior performance! No, really! I'm not making this up!

Now, according to Madan Kataria, a physician from Mumbai, India, when we laugh- and you are laughing right now, right?- we increase our levels of endorphins, nature's painkillers, improve stamina, and even begin to look younger. Laughter is associated with feelings of happiness, warmth, unconditional love, bonding, tolerance and forgiveness.

Kataria calls the substances laughter releases in the bloodstream a "joy cocktail," which is a perfect antidote for feelings of fear, anger, violence and jealousy.

Not that any of us are feeling any of these negative emotions, but fake laughter is just as beneficial as real laughter, don't forget.

Now, if you are still grumpy, I can relate. This guy McClendon is not funny. So, if you need a jump start, check out the videos from last year's celebrations of World Laughter Day here. One of these videos is bound to get you going. Get that joy cocktail flowing. You don't even have to really mean it! Feel the love. Hey, I think you are looking younger already! Happy World Laughter Day, readers!

Aubrey McClendon, CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Click on the blog title to read the article by columnist Mark Hare of the Democrat and Chronicle, "World Laughter Day good for what ails you." Sunday, May 2, 2009. Contact him at : mhare@DemocratandChronicle.com

Also credit is given to Mitchell Schnurman of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and to the Wall Street Journal for the links above.

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!