Birthdays are gateways between the old year and the new, and as we celebrate our birthdays, pray that God be good and kind to bless us abundantly for another year.
I normally do not celebrate my birthdays. I do not even wear red. This year, however, as I mark a very important milestone in life I did party! That, in the midst of the myriad of things I attend to being a mom to my children, mamu to our two little princesses, managing a home, a friend to others, a writer, tending to my real estate business, and conducting Laughter Yoga. As if all these were not enough, I have to attend to the water supply system being put up in San Gabriel Elementary School, Quezon City, with 6,000 students as beneficiaries it’s one of the two public schools I have adopted for this school year.
God, in His infinite goodness, helps me make time for all these. Special thanks to my very supportive family, my loyal and supportive office and household staff, who have been with me for almost two decades now. Friends and even my children were so surprised at what they saw when they arrived at the function room of Edsa Shangri-La St. Francis Tower. Since I very rarely mark my natal day this way, I decided to do it exactly to my liking. I had a big red heart décor on the wall with these words printed inside it: “Celebrate life … with love, friendship, and laughter.” The ceiling was draped with red cloth and hanging underneath were big silver hearts interspersed with red lanterns. I personally chose the music to be played by the pianist and violinist, and made sure that the food selection would be liked and enjoyed by the guests. Thankfully, my heartfelt efforts paid off, as guests raved about everything, including the giveaway fondant apple-walnut cakes!
My tiredness vanished as my children and guests kept complimenting me for everything! Ha ha ha! Jokingly, I told them that they came not just to celebrate a very important milestone in my life, but to experience the much-talked-about-written-and-desired Laughter Yoga, so I conducted a short one for them, that made them roar gleefully with laughter, and made the occasion truly memorable. Yes, dears, Laughter Yoga in a birthday party can be a big, enjoyable hit! Laughter directly connects people.
When I blew the candles on my cake, I made three wishes, and when asked what they were, I said they were not for myself: My three wishes were: lasting peace in our country and prosperity shared by all our kababayans; for daughters Nina and Bunny; and for Laughter Yoga that God connect me to the best people, who will passionately spread Laughter Yoga all over our country.
My son Karlo did the front act by telling the guests they would be inducted to a secret society as I had somehow kept my age a secret from them. I prayed that their presence would give honor to the family because it springs a lot of happiness. That my children are happy and proud that through Laughter Yoga I am able to spread happiness, teach the doctrine of good health, help people become positive. Moreover, that through laughter, I am able to somehow slow down the hands of time. Thanks to the anti-aging, anti-wrinkle Lion Laughter!
My bunso Bunny made the toast for good health, happiness, abundant blessings, and many more years of spreading cheer through Laughter Yoga to their ever-funny Valentines! Meanwhile, daughter Nina busied herself attending to guests to make them feel comfortable … to enjoy and turn moments into cherished memories.
The next Laughter Yoga session is for the Philippine College of Chest Physicians on Friday, March 16 at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Let’s laugh to a healthy, happy, positive us.
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E-mail me at laughteryogaphils.com, and for a hearty laugh view: lycphohohahaha.