Are you a people watcher? Sometimes I just love to sit on a bench in the mall, at a park or in an airport and just watch people. I wonder who they are, where they are going and what has happened in their life. You can assume a lot from people watching. I often look for people who look happy. Those that are really being present in the moment and enjoying their life. You can see those that are sad, frustrated, stressed and happy. I have lived long enough to know that a smile can mask a lot.

 According to a 2017 Harris Poll only 33% of Americans said they were happy. That's only 1/3 of our neighbors, church friends, co-workers and family. This is a sad statistic, but also probably very realistic. So many of us are going through the motions, striving, working, living, loving, but we are missing a crucial part of life...joy.

The reality is so disheartening and detrimental that the field of Psychology is beginning to understand the importance of happiness. There is a new branch of Psychology called Positive Psychology- the science of happiness. This isn't the surface level of happiness that we are used to hearing about, but the deeper form that we believers know as joy.

God made us to enjoy life. The words joy, rejoice and joyful appear 430 times in the Bible (ESV). 

There are so many health benefits. According to Positive Psychology happiness and laughter:

• enhance mood 
• decrease stress hormones
• decrease hunger hormones
• increase immunity
• lowers blood pressure
• lowers bad cholesterol
• increase good cholesterol

I have heard that 90% of illnesses and disease are a result of stress. If this is true, then wouldn't the cure for stress and most resulting illnesses and disease be joy?

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

One study shows when people watch a funny move, their blood vessels open and their blood flows more freely. Another study shows that 40% of Americans rarely engage in hobbies and past-times they enjoy.

So here are some ways to increase laughter in your life: 

1. Call your funny friend, or the 1 that loves to laugh too.
2. Go see a funny movie.
3. Try something fun and new and laugh along the way.

Jewish Proverb- "As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul."  

Maybe you are in a valley right now and you can't even imagine laughing until you pee your pants. Where do you start? Spend time with God. I know this sounds so easy and trite, but it really is the answer to most of our stuff. Psalms 16:11 says, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

We are filled with joy in His presence. It's a deeply spiritual, yet basic foundational benefit to our salvation and relationship with the Lord.

So today, I wish you happiness, laughter, and joy. Find your funny again. Get your joy back. If you have it already, protect it at all cost.

The joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10

Staying Joy-full,
Tiffany  
Tiffany Jo Baker MA, CLC

​
www.happify.com

“I can’t even remember the last time we laughed or really had fun together. It doesn’t happen as much as it used to.”

This is an all too often scenario for couples experiencing life stressors like infertility and relationship disconnect.

Too often the extreme roller-coaster of infertility tear couples apart instead of bringing them together. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the monthly ups and downs, disappointments, loss, and financial stress can leave their toll.

It can start subtly. One deals with the stress outwardly and the other inwardly. Communication starts to diminish. Spouses deal differently. The very thing that was supposed to bring a couple together -procreation- can often tear them apart.

We have all heard how stress plays a role in our emotional and physical health and relationships. I don’t want to oversimplify things, but a dose of fun could be the best medicine and just what the Doctor ordered. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.”

When was the last time you “dated” your spouse? Laughed until your belly hurt? Tried something new? Didn’t take life so seriously?

My heart is for couples on the journey towards birthing their dreams. I know how hard it can be.

My goal is to equip, encourage and unite couples along the way…. So I wanted to give y’all a reason to focus on fun instead of fertility.

I’m calling it the Summer Fun Challenge for Couples Trying to Conceive!

Ever feel like Infertility & TTC are stealing the fun from your life and marriage? I have just the thing to help relieve the stress, strain and overwhelm... some good old fashion fun with your spouse. This is the time to take a break from fertility and focus on fun. You remember fun, right? What you used to have with your spouse before infertility robbed you of it. You don't even have to tell your spouse. Just surprise them with the fun side of you making an appearance and ready to make memories!

Join the Summer Fun Challenge for Couples Trying to Conceive! Don't worry... it will be simple and just what the Doctor ordered. Bring Back the Fun!

What You Get with The Summer Fun Challenge for Couples Trying to Conceive:

• Simple & Creative Ideas
• Fun Challenges (do as much or as little as you like)
• Worksheet to Plan Your Fun
• Chance to Win a Date Box *
• Easy Instructions & Updates via email
• Friendly Competition *totally optional and only if you like that sort of thing*
• A Reason to Focus on Fun instead of Fertility
• 
  
  

The Summer Fun Challenge will be from July 23-August 30 and is just $7. You can jump in anytime through August 23! (If you want the fun without the time-frame, you can sign up anytime.)

For more info and to jump in on the fun, go here

Since you are a part of my TTC community, I want to give you free admission to the Summer Fun Challenge. To get in for free, sign up in the “Lucky You” section here!

Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to hearing about your fun.

​Joining Couples and Improving Journeys,
Tiffany