Yes, it's true. You can google those exact words and you'll find over 1.2 million hits on this subject including articles, videos, science digests and more.There's so much information out there and if you just look at the picture on the right, you might even find yourself giggling. We know how important laughter is, but how often do we feel it?

When was the last time you laughed for no "good' reason? Do you read books or blogs that make you laugh? Watch movies? Play games? Find funny videos to watch on Youtube?

And when was the last time you laughed at yourself? Not in a malicious, you dumb dumb way, but in a sincere laugh-out-loud recognition of your own humanity.

We take things way too seriously and that simply isn't good for us. It doesn't allow us to relax and have fun and let the good stuff in. It doesn't help us be more productive or more intelligent or any of the things we tell ourselves. It actually keeps us from enjoying our lives to the fullest and oftentimes causes great harm, stress and illness.

Today is my brother, Mark's birthday. People love him because he laughs a lot, well, I'm sure there are probably a lot of other reasons too. He doesn't take a lot of things seriously, which used to drive our mother nuts. But I think Mark knew from a very early age how to go with the flow, to look towards what he wants and to laugh a lot. His life is a beautiful representation of that. He has a wonderful wife and two children who love him dearly and whom he adores. I'm sure he would tell you he's a very happy man. Everyone likes telling him jokes because he always seems so amused by them. I actually think he finds them funny and shares his joy through his laughter.

So take a lesson from my brother, laugh more, be happy, go with the flow whenever possible and let the good stuff in. After all, it's all around us.