Are You Laughing?

Laughter.

There's something about it. You either hate it or love it.

It can be distracting, addicting, or even contagious – all in good ways. Attractive, beautiful, meaningful.

But hopefully it's never repulsive, obnoxious, and disturbing ;b

Haha... I mean some would think so… But… really, what sort of minds do they have!? Lol.

Some people will love you for your laugh. And then there will be those that hate you for it.

That can sometimes be discouraging, and even make one want to quit laughing.

But should you?

Is laughing something that should be controlled, or is it something to be encouraged? Even in ourselves?

I must say I have a very STRONG opinion on this… but first I'll share some verses.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face(smiling is the first step to laughing ;b), But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. ~ Proverbs 15:13

According to Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman laughs without fear of the future. Now that might sound a little sarcastic, and even bold, but hey, would you rather be one off those grumpy people always wining about what might happen, or would you rather be laughing your head off, waiting for each new thing to come along?

I would much rather laugh.

Laughter isn't just refreshing to the one laughing, it's a bright light to those around you. (Not counting those few grumps who would rather be gloomy.) When you laugh, for real, you feel more happy (duh), less stressed and tired, and more prepared for whatever may come.

In a way Proverbs 31 could mean, not laughing the future away as if it were nothing, but that the laugh clears your mind enough to be able to fully comprehend what to do.

Of, course you'll have those few laugh-cops still trying to break that smile – A time to cry and a time to laugh. (Ecc 3:2-4)

If you ask me, life has enough tears. Any opportunity that arises is THE TIME to LAUGH.

So, use this day to be happy and glad. And make it a great day for others, too.

Laugh.

Smile.

And laugh some more!

Because, who doesn't need more laughter in their lives????????????

 Just Laugh. Make the world happier ;)

Originally posted at Keturah's Korner

Bohemian Lace {classygarb}

 

Hey ladies! How is your Sunday faring? I thought I'd share my church outfit today - trying to get some more outfit posts up since I haven't really posted many of those this year and, well, APOC is supposed to be a fashion blog. With actual outfit posts. Haha.

 

 

So, I saw this quote on Pinterest which I really loved.

 

"Always be kinder than you feel."

 

Last week after church, my parents informed me that I didn't smile very much during the time I was playing piano in the service. They said I looked like I didn't want to be there.

Yes, it hurt to hear that, because during that time I was playing I wasn't thinking that at all. I was just focusing on the music; and sometimes I tend to look somber when I'm playing my instruments, if I don't watch.

 

Nonetheless, when I saw that quote, it made me think about the act of smiling. My argument has always been, "well, if I put on a big cheesy grin while I'm playing it'll look super fake!"

 

Well, maybe yes and maybe no. It's only going to feel that way if you decide so. Ever since then, I've been making an effort to smile whenever I can. Smiles are wonderful things, people! And they're free gifts you can give to any human being on the planet that you choose.

 

Act the way you want to feel, and soon how you feel will follow suite.

 

 

"Be cheerful: it's contagious!"

 

 

// what i wore //

 

Lace tunic: Charlotte Russe

Skinny jeans: Sears or Belk, I can't remember

Ankle boots: American Eagle

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Belt: (came with a shirt from Sears or Belk...)

 

 

How You Care for Yourself

 Seeing the posts for the past couple months about accepting yourself the way God created you makes me smile. Too often we look in the mirror, and see ourselves through the most critical of glasses. In a creation video by Ken Ham, there is talk of colored lenses. Though I'm not applying it in the same way he did, I think it fits here as well. When we look in the mirror, instead of looking through God's lenses, we look through a colored lens. This colored lens blocks us from seeing the way God created us as special, and making us feel fat, or ugly, or too tall, too short. This has been widely talked upon here, so I'm sure I can't say much more that hasn't already been explained. Though I can offer a few basic tips. :)

  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

 As with anything, there ARE ways you can improve yourself. God has made you beautiful! Sometimes we have to let that beauty out in a God honoring way. Here are just a few of my thoughts.

1. Healthy exercise:  Whether you see yourself as chubby, thin, or anything else, exercise is something that everyone can do. Trust me, after a good thirty minutes to an hour of exercising, you may feel tired, but you'll also feel rejuvenated. Our bodies need exercise. I like to accomplish this by popping in a Wii exercise game, since I can't walk around my town alone. But after I exercise, I always feel a little better about myself.

2. Hygiene: A clean girl is a happy girl, right? Brushing your teeth, brushing your hair... this can all shine up your appearance.

3. Smile: This, I think, is the most important so far on the list. When you smile, it completely changes your face. Smiles are beautiful things, that God created. I think a girl looks much more beautiful when she smiles. A smile is also something God can shine through! So don't be afraid to show those teeth. ;D

4. Clothing: Dress in a manner that is classy, modest, and makes you look nice. If you wear too tight, or immodest clothing, that may be the only thing people notice. But if you wear extremely baggy clothing (I wear it all the time at home ;D) you may look as if you don't care about your appearance. Nice clothing doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to name brand. It just needs to look nice on you.

5. Prayer, drawing closer to the Lord: This doesn't have so much to do with the physical as with the spiritual. You can change everything about your appearance, but the only way you'll be truly beautiful is if you have the Lord showing through you. Ask the Lord to draw you closer to Him every day. Trust Him, for He has made you beautiful!

 A lot of people say that how you dress/look is not important at all, and it's true that God made you the way you are. But I believe we can honor God by respecting the temple of our bodies, and dressing in a way that would glorify Him, as well as taking other measures.

 What is something that makes you uniquely you?