"Laugh - It's for You"

Go ahead and add laughter to the list of factors that contribute to the healthy lifestyle. Researchers at Loma Linda University Medical Center are looking at how a person's mental state and perspective on life affects the functions of the immune system. Specifically, Lee Berk, Dr. P.H., and his colleagues are studying how "a merry heart" (that's happiness/mirthful laughter) can actually bolster the body's ability to prevent and combat illness and diseases.

Intrigued by the awareness that stress and depression can lower the effectiveness of the body's immune system, the researchers wanted to see if the opposite is true - whether positive emotions and attitudes can improve immune system capabilities.

In the study, scientists measured blood stress hormone levels of a group of medical students before, during and after the students watched a humorous video. Results showed that mirthful laughter brings about significant changes in certain components of the endocrine system, believed to be related to the body's ability to fight diseases.

For instance, the students experienced a reduction in their levels of blood cortisol. Cortisol, released during moments of stress (distress), can reduce the circulation of lymphocytes (immune cells) in the bone marrow and interfere with there normal functioning in the immune system.

Researchers also found that mirthful laughter modifies some classical stress hormone levels in ways that may positively influence the immune system.

"Family"

"Family is a picture, treasure it and hold on to it forever!!!"

Family is a basic social group united through broad of kinship or marriage.



Its core form, the nuclear family, consists of a man and woman who live together in a socially recognized marriage with children. The nuclear family is the main unit in many societies. In others, it is a subordinate part of an extended family, which also consists of grandparents and other relatives.





An extended family is more often found in rural than in urban settings and is less common now than several decades ago.






A third family unit that is becoming more prevalent is the single-parent family, in which children live with an unmarried mother or father.




Historical studies have shown that family structure has been less changed by urbanization and industrialization than was once supposed. The nuclear family was the most prevalent pre-industrial unit and is still the basic unit of social organization. The modern family differs from early traditional forms, however, in its functions, compositions, and life cycle and in the roles of husbands and wives.

The only function of the family that continues to survive all change is the provision of affection and emotional support by and to all its members, particularly infants and young children. Specialized institutions now perform many of the other functions that were once performed by the agrarian family: economic production, education, religion, and recreation.
Jobs are usually separate from the family group; family members often work in different occupations and in locations away from the home.

Education is provided by the state or by private groups. Religious training and recreational activities are available outside the home, although both still have a place in family life. The family is still responsible for the socialization of the children. Even in this capacity, however, the influence of peers and of the mass media has assumed a large role.

By the 1970s, the prototypical nuclear family had yielded somewhat to modified structures including the one-parent family, the step family, and the childless family.

One-parent families in the past were usually the result of the death of a spouse. Now, however, must one-parent families are the result of divorce, although a few are created when unmarried mothers bear children. In 1986 more than one out of the four children lived with only-one parent usually the mother. Most one-parent families, however, eventually became two-parent families through marriage. A step family is created by a new marriage of a single parent. It may consist of a parent and children and a childless spouse, a parent and children and a spouse whose children live elsewhere, or to joined one-parent families. In a step family problems in relations between non-natural parents and children may generate tension; the difficulties can be especially great in the marriage of the single parents when the children of both parents live with them as siblings.
Childless families are increasingly the result of deliberate choice. For many years the proportion of couples who were childless declined steadily as venereal and other diseases that cause infertility were conquered. In the 1970s, however, the changes in the status of woman reversed this trend. Couples often elect to have no children or to postpone having them until their careers are well established.

"For You My Friend"

A CUP OF FRIENDSHIP

A Friend is a Treasure A friend is someone we turn to, when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone we treasure, for our friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives, with beauty, joy and grace. And make the world we live in, a better and happier place.

A friend is like a shade tree

Beside a summer way.
A friend is like the sunshine
That makes a perfect day.
A friend is like a flower
That's worn close to the heart.
A friend is like a treasure

With which one will not part.

"Poems for Friendship"

THOUGHT FOR FRIENDSHIP
friendship is not just the name of an
ordinary feeling. but it is the name of the feelings of understanding, honesty and frankness between two persons. and these feelings keep the two very special persons bounded together and such a friendship lies in two of us.

Friend
A friend is a person
to laugh and cry with,
An inspiration,
Someone who lends a helping hand,
though friends may not be forever,
And they may not end up together,
the memories of a true friendship will
last forever.
A friend is not a shadow nor a servant
But someone who hold
a piece of a person in his heart.
Someone who shares a smile,
Someone who brightens up your day
What makes a person a friend?
Is by saying your Love will stay.


TRUE FRIENDSHIP
True friends are for life
Until the end
They're more than special
They're your bestest friends.

They're the ones you can go to
When you're in despair
The ones that'll help you
Even when you got gum in your hair!

They're the ones who'll laugh
And go laughing with you all through the night
The ones who'll help you
Help you with all their might

To have a good friend
You have to be one
So be nice to one another
So you can be friends forever
And that\'s how to be the best friend you can be.


A BEST FRIEND

A best friend
is always there,
whether you need advice,
or a pep talk,
or even a shoulder to cry on.
A best friend
listens with her heart
and is always honest with you,
even though the truth
may not be
what you want to hear.
A best friend
knows all your secrets,
understands your fears
shares your dreams.
A best friend
never stops believing in you
even if you give up
on yourself.
you are
that kind of friend
to me.
And no matter what happens,
you always will be.
You are my best friend....
my forever friend.

"Life is Priority"

We argue over what should take priority - life or choice, but if there is no life, then there can be no choice. I have to be alive in order to be able to choose. And if I could choose would I choose abortion for myself? We are not free to choose everything we want. We must all accept some restrictions in our freedoms. We are not even allowed to kill ourselves.

Now, I realize that questions are raised about rape, incest, abnormalities, finances, quality of life, etc. And there is no doubt that our sinful world poses many dilemmas. That is why Christians need an anchor point when it comes to issues of the beginning and the ending of life. Since only God can give life, it behooves us to be very careful how quickly we are willing to take away that life.

The cross reveals how much God is concerned about life. Jesus sacrificed his life that we might be able to choose life. Should not we also be prepared to sacrifice to save the life of the unborn? But even more, our churches should provide financial, emotional, and physical support to those families who decide to keep the child. It is not enough to be against something; we must also be for something.

Everyone should give a high value to life (abortion only when the life of the mother is at stake) but leave it up to each individual as to how he or she will practice that deal.

"There is no place like home"

Many people say and think what is the true meaning of home. Other may say it is a place of residence or refuge and comfort. It is usually a place in which an individual or a family can rest and be able to store personal property. The other people say that home is where they grew up or where they lived, a place that brings back old memories or feelings, and a home can even be a time rather than an actual place. But for me, it is a place where you can find love, happiness and peace. The Home is the hub of society. Strong, loving, happy, healthy homes make a strong, loving, happy, healthy church, community and nation. It is a place you can find the respect of the family between the husband and wife, and between the parents and children.A place where I can do anything. The most comfortable place for me. The place where I belong.

"The Sexes: So What's the Big Difference?"

Seen These Differences?

FEMALES are more sensitive to feelings and situation.
Females become more apart of people they know and the things that surround them. They build relationships. They get together with friends and talk.
Females become easily hurt when criticized about a house or clothes, because they feel these things are an extension of themselves.
Females need time to adjust to changes and new surroundings. They focus on immediate consequences for themselves and their family.
Females have an intuitive nature. A female might say "I feel like we shouldn't do this" or "I don't feel right about that." This is a sense God has implanted into her.
Females are more verbally expressive.



MALES Males might not realize they're trampling on feelings and causing hurt. Males aren't as aware - though they can be made aware with a female's love and sensitivity. Males may relate to people, but they usually don't want to become as closely entwined with them. They get together with friends and do something. Males tends to be natter-of-fact about these things, taking an attitude of "so what?" Males can adjust more immediately, because they focus on the benefits. Once the male has adjusted, he might have a hard time understanding why the female is holding back. Males don't seem to have this intuition, and sometimes think females use this as an excuse to be stubborn or not to think "rationally." So the male might go ahead and do what he wants to do, or verbally hurt the female. Males are physically expressive.