LOL MOVEMENT

When was the last time you really laughed? 

I mean a grand laugh out loud (or LOL for short, for the benefit of readers not accustomed to social media lingo) moment when you didn't care if someone's thought bubble across the room read, "İs she crazy or what?" 

Old people, mostly, must rediscover laughter! (OK, count me in, though I refuse to be called "old" just because I've passed the half century mark or I flash a senior citizen card.) 

And I don't mean "smirk"! You may not have noticed it but we young once have this tendency to dismiss as silly others' attempts to be funny or cute or try hard to amuse others. 

So we smile this sly smile with "condescending," "oh, give me a break," or "you're so corny" written all over it. 

But that actually shows how petrified we've become, or how rigid and me-minded and self-absorbed we've turned into because, "Hey, I've been there, done that. I've heard it all, so don't try to impress me. I'm beyond impressing." 

Cranky is the word! 

We need to laugh. But there must be a reason to laugh, otherwise those around you will think you're cuckoo or something. 

So laugh even if the joke is corny or silly or shallow. It's for your own good. Ok lang maging mababawaw!

Doctors must prescribe laughter like they prescribe our maintenance pills or health supplements. It's one of life's freebies---might even save you from visiting your doctor often, or save you from illnesses requiring hospitalization. 

(Especially if you don't have health insurance. Horrors! Insurance companies in the Philippines don't insure you anymore when you've reached a certain age! Calling on our valiant lawmakers! There oughta be a law protecting seniors' rights to fade away from this earth in dignity, not in indebtedness as we grapple with sky-high hospitalization bills!) 

Care2.com suggests that laughter, based on many health experts' studies: 

 * Lowers blood pressure 
 * Increases vascular blood flow and oxygenation of blood 
 * Gives a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles 
 * Reduces certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline 
 * Increases the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells 
 * Defends against respiratory infections–--even reducing the frequency of colds, by immunoglobulon in saliva 
 * Increases memory and learning. In a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores. 
 * Improves alertness, creativity, and memory

So come on, enlist in the LOL movement and scare the Count away: triglycerides, cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood sugar; and have your grandkids rejoicing that Lolo and Lola can afterall still walk with them in the park or visit Disneyland. 

Proverbs 15:13: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 

Any takers for a LOL reality TV show? Let's brainstorm... will it be Dolphy and Panchito or Charlie Chaplain type? Slapstick? Brainy? 

As long as it catches melatonin-short Lolos and Lolas at four in the morning, that's fine by me!