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Monday, January 19, 2015

SERVICE is a Laughter Therapy Value



 
Did you know that the curriculum for "How to Create Therapeutic Laughter" is comprised of three major building blocks: Knowledge & Theory, Skills, and Values? Starting in 1973 (yes, indeed), I used this model to launch and maintain a highly successful college-level training program for mental health professionals, that is still in effect today. In fact, the collegiate program has incorporated "Therapeutic Laughter", which has become one of the most popular electives.

Among the World Laughter Tour's values education for laughter therapy is the concept of 'serving with love'. That is, keeping service in our hearts and minds while teaching & leading laughter programs. We underscore this concept in every workshop by studying these words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

"Everyone can be great because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your noun and verb agree to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love... When evil men plot, good men plan. When evil men bomb and burn, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glory of love."

The excellent reputation of WLT programs and associates has made a groundbreaking difference in the acceptance of these strategies. Because of careful curriculum design and faculty training, WLT has led the way in overcoming the skepticism and resistance we encountered initially. At first therapeutic laughter was considered ‘new’ to the field of healthcare therapies, but we have progressed from being considered as ‘alternative’ to being called ‘complimentary’, and finally to being an accepted part of ‘integrative medicine’. The ideas and methods are now acknowledged as playing a significant positive role in personal happiness as well as health & humans services, education, business, and community development.

Our concerted efforts over many years have certainly helped to make many lives richer and more rewarding, and has made the world a better place. We look forward to continuing this contribution for generations to come.

Join us!