Laughter and healing make wonderful partners. As Purim approaches, we do our best to be joyful, look at the miracles around us and appreciate all that God has done for us. That makes Purim the perfect time to reach out to others.
Love, laughter and caring are the best tools for creating a caring community. Did you know that when we laugh our bodies benefit: we use muscles, our heart rate increases, our lungs draw in fresh air, and we just feel so much better. Love and laughter improve our well being and makes the people around us feel better too. So why not take this wonderful holiday of Purim that falls in the Jewish month of Adar to make love and laughter the highlights of the month? And let's not forget the giving of the m'shloach manot basket. Who wouldn't like to get a basket filled with fruits, candy and cookies to help brighten your day?
Did you know that one of the things that made Queen Esther so special was that she used to sneak out of the palace to go and visit the sick and the elderly? Even though she wasn't supposed to leave the palace, she disguised herself and went out to spread love and laughter to those around her that were in need. She learned that it took very little to make someone happy but that it meant so much to the people that she helped. She was practicing the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick). Now that's something we can all do very easily.
Whether you are taking a m'shloach manot basket or just being silly to make someone laugh...Purim is the time of year to begin this wonderful habit.
Marsha Greene
School Educator